Ana Mancera
PMBA '24
GFE: Santiago, Chile
Hometown: McKinney
Home State: Texas
Home Country: United States
Undergraduate Institution: The University of Texas at Austin
Undergraduate Degree and Major: Bachelor of Business Administration - International Relations, Minor in Latin American Studies
Desired industry post-MBA: Consulting
Desired job function post-MBA: Consultant
Student Organization Membership:
- Consulting Association
- Rice Business Women's Organization
- Latin Business Student Association
What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA experience?
Rice offers a ton of opportunities to network while making it engaging. We have partios every Thursday, coffee chats in Audrey's, PCF every Wednesday, guest speakers who come to campus and plenty more.
What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience so far?
How well I get along with my team. I was worried we would not get along or not bond, but it has been a nice surprise being able to rely on them for good times and bad times. They have made my MBA journey soo much smoother.
What do you LOVE most about Houston?
The Diversity! Houston is the 4th most diverse city in the US, and we have one of the best food scenes. There are plenty of new restaurants to try.
What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective student?
Start your recruitment process early, do not wait until the last minute otherwise you will miss out on great opportunities!
What makes the GFE special?
The Global Field Experience is a pivotal component of the Rice MBA program. For people passionate about making a global impact, like me, it’s a natural fit. The GFE bridges classroom learning with real-world application, offering a unique way for Rice Business to prepare us for our careers post-MBA.
Unlike case studies, the GFE immerses students in international business challenges to apply MBA skills to real-life scenarios. Working with companies that face tangible problems broadened my global perspective and equipped me to navigate business complexities.
Most importantly, the GFE transforms theoretical knowledge into practical expertise. It ensures graduates are professionally seasoned and ready to tackle corporate challenges. More than a global experience, it is career-preparing, real-world immersion that leaves a lasting impact on how we approach problem-solving.
How did the GFE contribute to your development as a future business leader?
The GFE has been transformative in shaping my MBA skillset. It provided a real-world platform to apply classroom knowledge to solve practical business challenges. What made the experience even more impactful was realizing our GFE professor had taught us strategy during our first week of orientation in year one. It felt like our classroom experience came full circle. This continuity allowed us to apply strategic frameworks and concepts learned in class to the challenges our client faced. This hands-on experience reinforced my classroom learning, bridged the theory-practice gap, and solidified my ability to navigate complex business scenarios.
What surprised you most about the GFE?
I was surprised by the depth of the cultural immersion and the cultural insights it brought me. It's one thing to learn about international business in a classroom setting, but being physically present in Santiago exposed me to nuances and cultural factors that simply can't be captured through Zoom meetings.
I was also surprised by Chile's stunning beauty and warm people. Our client welcomed us with lunches, dinners and coffee at his home. This human element added a profound layer of meaning to the project. It wasn't just numbers and strategies; we get involved with real people who have real dreams. This turned a consulting project into a human experience. It highlighted the impact our recommendations could have on someone’s life, making the GFE not just an academic exercise but a journey into the human side of business.
How did your perspective on international business change?
The GFE greatly transformed my international business perspective. Experiencing the Santiago business environment firsthand broadened my global mindset and highlighted the importance of adaptability. The experience equipped me with a more nuanced understanding of international business challenges and opportunities.
Adapting our strategies to Chile's framework challenged our assumptions, emphasizing the roles of culture and context in arriving at effective solutions. The GFE became an immersive, dynamic lesson in international business intricacies, providing a richer, more comprehensive understanding than I could have anticipated.
What did you learn about yourself throughout the GFE?
The GFE was not just about professional development; it was a journey of personal growth and self-discovery. Working abroad pushed me out of my comfort zone, helping me to build adaptability and resilience. Collaborating with diverse teammates and engaging with a new culture enhanced my interpersonal skills.
Beyond business, the GFE fostered exceptional peer bonding and lifelong friendships. The trip allowed us to explore and appreciate Chilean culture together. Outings provided a platform to work collaboratively, share experiences and build lasting connections.