My first day at Rome Business School Nigeria (RBSN)

I have been following Rome Business School long before I enrolled. I was too busy to commence the programme so it was quite exciting for me that the school I had always wanted to attend resumed operations in Nigeria. I quickly registered and did all that I was to do. I was pampered by RBSN staff and was given seamless reception. I couldn’t wait to start as RBSN felt like home to me.

First lecture at RBSN

I can remember the refreshing lectures by Dr. Kayode Abe and Dr. Onijingin. It was like a series of unlearning for the majority of us. We saw a case study about Michelin that to date, everyone wants to have that Michelin experience. We could relate to the several case studies used by these sound facilitators. I can remember all we discussed on that day like it was yesterday.

Share your Experience at Extracurricular Activities

There’s always just this bonding. Like siblings, we seemed to fight a lot, especially the Master’s in Marketing and Communication (MARCOM) students, yet, we miss them when they are not there. The company visits and activities geared us towards bonding, mutual respect, and viewing situations from different perspectives. It was a great learning experience. I learnt from various organizations and had the opportunity to visit places like Rain Oil and Airtel. I am optimistic that this relationship will continue.

How Do you Perceive the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on RBSN?

COVID-19 affected our trip to Rome for a student exchange programme, graduation, and study tours. All hope is not lost as I trust the Country Director will pull this trip through. Rome Business School didn’t relent in loading us with a series of webinars this period. The initial panic, threats to business survival, and other fears were assuaged with this added knowledge during these free webinar sessions organized by RBSN. A lot of us have been able to navigate through this pandemic easily. So, yes, we couldn’t travel and do our reunion the way the planned it, yet, the online events and value-loaded programmes organized by RBSN cushioned the effect. I miss seeing ourselves and bonding as we used to do before COVID-19.

What is your best moment?

I love the tea break, the tasty refreshment, the surprise packages by the faculty members, the combined sessions with other classes, the times that I had to represent my colleagues, the opportunity to moderate a roundtable session to welcome the newbies and several other exciting moments are my best moments. 

I had the best of friends, as well as great, smart, intelligent, and well-spoken professionals during my stay.  They would always cheer you up. I had the best moments with everyone.

I look forward to more. RBS is ours, we will always be there to show up and represent our school well. If I have the opportunity, I will still choose RBS and the set of professionals I met there.

Advice to other students

Prospective and existing students need to know that as sweet, beautiful, and as encouraging as the school is, you will realize that there are multiple assessments that you need to attend to. You need to get serious with yourself. The program is just for one year but loaded and requires dedication. 

Tell your family, groups, and every stakeholder in your life to get their support and commitment. 

You will need a time out to finish at the recorded time. There is a lot to unlearn. You learn decision-making skills and how to stay away from blunders at work. 

My advice is that you reduce your workload for just this one year. Be committed, be attentive, be decisive and you will see how fast one year can be. Your choice of Rome Business School is worth the time and resources.

 

Annie Ekwere is an Alumna of our Master Program in International Human Resources Management. She can be contacted on @diamondabasi and @darasuites.