Xiaoming Song

Esade Business School

“I am a practitioner of “attitude towards altitude” and “the slow need to start early”.”

Hometown: Beijing, China

Fun Fact About Yourself: I speak four languages, I lived around the world, and some classmates think I am a spy….

Undergraduate School and Major: Shandong University (China), Business English and Spanish

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: CGTN (China Global Television Network), Reporter and New Media Specialist

What has been your favorite part of Barcelona so far? What has made it such a great place to earn an MBA? Personally, my favorite part of Barcelona are its beaches and seafood, since my hometown is also a coastal city. Barcelona is a vibrant and cosmopolitan hub for startups, technology, and innovation with dynamic links to Europe and Latin America. That’s why I chose it to study my 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 MBA has a flexible and tailored programming. For example, I chose the 12-month fast track to return to work within one year, and I selected Marketing and Entrepreneurship Labs in Term 2 because I am strongly interested in branding and startups. This is very valuable to me as it has given me more options to organize my career planning and interest-based studies.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Esade? I really want to highlight the Berlin Study Tour. It was an entrepreneurial-oriented tour where we got practical lectures at famous start-ups and VCs, such as N26 or Atlantic Labs, and we had the chance to network with Esade alumni who shared useful career experience.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: As a journalist, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing numerous Latin American leaders, including Michelle Bachelet and Oscar Arias. However, another experience stands out to me—the time I collaborated with Globo News, Brazil’s most influential TV channel, to launch a Portuguese version of the Chinese documentary, “Epicenter: Wuhan 24 Hours, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. This initiative played a significant role in helping local communities comprehend COVID prevention and control measures. It was then that I truly grasped the potential social impact my work could have.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: My most significant achievement as an MBA student has been mastering the art of time management. Throughout the program, we received several case studies and extensive readings, not to mention the multiple networking opportunities, all of which demanded a great deal of time and dedication. In my case, I faced additional hurdles due to language barriers and a lack of prior business knowledge, which made it more challenging for me compared to others.

During the initial two months of my MBA journey, I encountered considerable difficulties in keeping up with the professors and making meaningful contributions to team projects. However, I decided to confront these challenges head-on and committed myself to improve my time management skills. Through dedication and hard work, I successfully learned how to make the most of my time and resources.

Notably, this improved time management not only helped me catch up with the coursework, but also enabled me to excel academically. I am particularly proud of achieving an A in Accounting, which was an accomplishment I once thought was beyond my reach. By overcoming these obstacles and learning how to efficiently manage my time, I have proven to myself that determination and perseverance can lead to great achievements.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? My most cherished memory during my time as an MBA student will forever be the moments spent with the incredible individuals of Section C in the Esade MBA Class of 2024. They are an extraordinary group – exceptionally talented, remarkably confident, and genuinely kind-hearted. Our bonds are strong, a mix of love and playful rivalry, and together, we proudly call ourselves Section “Cerveza”, a spirited and fun-loving bunch that sometimes embraces a bit of chaos!

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Esade MBA program? Embrace your authenticity and boldly express your unique stories. Discover your true aspirations for the Esade MBA and how you can enrich the program with your contributions. Aim to apply in the early rounds, armed with a strong GMAT score and well-defined post-MBA career objectives. Esade’s exceptional career services and diverse club resources are available from the outset, making them invaluable assets if you have a clear career path in mind.

DON’T MISS: MEET ESADE BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MBA CLASS OF 2024