Samuel Kofi Alomenu

Esade Business School

“Tenacious MBA candidate, fascinated by cultural nuance and homogeneity, driven by continuous learning, curiosity, and invention.”

Hometown: Accra, Ghana

Fun Fact About Yourself: Went backpacking in French West Africa with no knowledge of French and had the time of my life.

Undergraduate School and Major: Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, BSc, General Business Administration.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Worldreader, Senior Manager, Programs and Business Development.

What has been your favorite part of Barcelona so far? What has made it such a great place to earn an MBA? My favorite aspect of Barcelona is its incredible spatial architecture. As an enthusiast in this field, I’ve been constantly amazed by the city’s design, which seems to be tailored more towards people than cars. I find this interesting as I see more cities tend to think less of people. This ‘people-centered’ approach extends beyond the architecture, permeating the entire urban ethos. The city continually pushes boundaries, striving to enhance its focus on human interaction and community engagement. This has not only made my stay here more enjoyable, but it also resonates with my MBA journey. The idea of designing systems and strategies around people, with a continuous drive for improvement, mirrors my learning experience at Esade Business School. The multicultural, vibrant atmosphere of Barcelona also provides a fertile ground for gaining a global business perspective, making it a truly remarkable place to pursue an MBA.

Aside from your classmates and location, what has been your favorite part of Esade Business School’s MBA programming and why has it been so valuable to you? The Esade program has been carefully designed to equip students with a multifaceted toolbox for navigating the business world. This toolbox is comprehensive, but the aspect that I appreciate the most is its emphasis on leadership skills. Esade’s curriculum is extremely intentional about fostering these skills. It starts from the course on Neuroscience, which is focused on understanding people at the beginning of Term 1, to courses like Leading Transformative Change, Business Simulation and Advanced Communication in Term 3. Although technical skills are undoubtedly important, the value of soft skills cannot be overstated. These are the skills that truly make a difference, and my experience at Esade has further affirmed this belief.”

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Esade? One of my most rewarding experiences at ESADE has been serving as the Vice President of the MBA Tech Club and the Blacks in Business Affiliate Club. These positions have provided me with the unique opportunity to reach out to and invite some of the most intriguing minds across the globe to engage with our student body. While we didn’t manage to secure every speaker we aimed for, our efforts have opened numerous doors and fostered meaningful connections. This has been incredibly thrilling and has opened vast learning opportunities – not just for me, but for my fellow students as well. I’ve been particularly appreciative of the supportive and collaborative approach of Esade’s program management, which was instrumental in making these enriching talks a reality.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My most significant accomplishment to date was successfully forging crucial partnerships with telecom companies, government entities, and other key partners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with widespread school closures, we sought to keep children engaged in reading and learning by getting necessary books into their hands. Managing to navigate these unprecedented circumstances and deliver educational resources to children and their families in their homes was a complex challenge, but one that was extremely rewarding to overcome.                                                                                                                                                  

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: My greatest accomplishment as an MBA student has been successfully navigating the rigors of the program. An MBA is not for the faint-hearted – it requires the ability to manage and prioritize several moving parts. Balancing the application process for internships, preparing for interviews, and maintaining strong academic performance has been a challenging, yet rewarding journey. There have been many peaks and troughs, but the ability to navigate these with determination and focus, while continuing to learn and grow, has been my most notable achievement thus far.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? “My best memory as an MBA student is tied to the people I’ve met during this journey. I’ve made lifelong friends here, of that I’m certain. As enriching as the MBA program has been academically, it’s the connections I’ve made and the people I’ve encountered that have truly made a difference. The shared experiences, the late-night study sessions, the collaborative projects – these moments have not only forged strong bonds, but they’ve also shaped my MBA journey in the most profound way.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Esade MBA program? My advice to potential applicants aiming for admission into the Esade MBA program is to stand out. Don’t be reticent about your accomplishments or your experiences. Embrace them and tell your unique story. Esade values diversity and the exchange of varied perspectives. The school seeks individuals eager to make a positive global impact – those willing to challenge norms and innovate. So, beyond striving for excellent GMAT scores and impressive academic achievements, introspect and identify what sets you apart. What makes you unique? How can you contribute to this community that strives not only to do good, but also to do it better and differently? Show them that uniqueness, and you’ll enhance your chances of joining the crew.

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