La vie est belle. Life's beautiful!

  The decision to pursue an MBA is a big one. Not just because it requires a significant investment (we’re talking €100,000 for a top program in Europe) but also because it impacts your career, lifestyle, and even your confidence in ways you may not fully imagine. Having done two MBAs—one in my early 20s in India and another almost 10 years later in Europe—I’ve gathered some valuable insights that may help you make a more informed decision. So, let’s unpack this question: Is an MBA worth it, and which geography would you rather choose? The answer depends on several key factors—your career goals, where you want to work, your level of experience, and whether you’re prepared for the realities of an MBA program.  My opinions are based on my own experience of doing an MBA from a top B-school in India when I was 21, and another MBA from a top B-school in France when I was 29. This blog post is not prescriptive in any manner - I am merely doing my best to outline some of the factors...

In the summer of 2014, while I was an exchange student in Innsbruck, I embarked on one of the most adventurous trips of my life. It all began during a solo travel stint to Budapest, where, in a hostel, I met a fellow traveler who told me about something called the Rainbow Gathering. It sounded surreal—an event where gypsies, hippies, and travelers from around the world come together in the mountains, far from civilization, to live communally without the interference of technology, sharing food, stories, and skills around bonfires under the stars. With a zest for adventure and curiosity in my heart, I decided I had to go. I quickly found two other travelers who were equally intrigued, and we made plans to head to the gathering together. But, as fate would have it, I lost contact with them before we could leave. Alone in Budapest and unsure if they’d make it, I decided to go anyway. So, I hopped on a train heading north, toward the rural countryside of Hungary. The gathering was supposed...

Learning French is a journey full of ups and downs, but it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. From stumbling through awkward conversations to finally grasping native phrases, there’s so much to learn—not just about the language but about yourself. Whether you’re just starting out or aiming for fluency, this guide will help you avoid common mistakes, stay motivated, and (hopefully) feel the joy of learning French. Before you read this experiential guide, please take a look at an explainer of French levels .  For context, I write this article while I am in the transition phase between the B2 and C1 levels.  The Foundation: Think in French from Day One Let’s get this out of the way: If you’re thinking about French in English first, then translating it back, it’s going to hold you back. Trust me, I learned that the hard way. Right from A1, start thinking in French . It might feel strange at first, but this is one of the most crucial habits you can develop early...