Mariana Rocca

London Business School

Home City and Country: Lima, Peru

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: McKinsey & Company, Business Analyst

How has studying business in the United Kingdom enriched your learning experience? An MBA challenges you from the very start, but pursuing my MBA in the UK has opened up learning opportunities that extend far beyond the coursework. In class, we engage in discussions with people from diverse backgrounds, spanning industries, geographies, cultures, and religions.

Studying in the UK allows me to gain a global perspective on business and understand how it is conducted around the world. It challenges me to interact and connect with people from all walks of life, teaching me the importance of listening to and respecting their viewpoints—lessons you won’t find in textbooks.

In my study group, we have a person from each continent, which has been incredibly enriching. Their unique perspectives and experiences provide invaluable insights into how to approach and solve problems in different ways.

What has been the toughest transition to living in the United Kingdom so far? What have you done to overcome this difficulty? The hardest part has been being far away from my family and friends in Peru. While I am very excited to be in London, live here for two years, and continue my international experience afterward, the trade-offs are big. It’s always sad when I miss important occasions like a friend’s wedding, a birthday celebration, or even the Sunday family lunches. To overcome this, I focus on the unique opportunities I get to experience here. I try to organize activities and meet new people, ensuring that the trade-offs feel more balanced and fulfilling. Additionally, I’ve found that staying connected to loved ones back home is essential for my well-being. I make time for regular calls with family and friends to share updates and celebrate their milestones, even from afar. Maintaining this connection helps me feel grounded and close to them despite the distance.

What school service has been the most helpful in transitioning to living in the United Kingdom? How has it helped you adapt? More than the service itself, the Stream model at LBS has helped me the most in feeling like I have a new family here in the UK. The stream is our class for the first term. We are a group of 85 people, and we have all our initial classes together, which makes it very easy for us to spend time together, get to know each other better, and plan different activities. The stream is a mirror of what the whole class looks like in terms of diversity. I’ve grown very close to the people in my stream and have truly enjoyed getting to know each of them. It’s been comforting to realize that we are all experiencing similar challenges and fears, whether it’s being far from our families or navigating transitions into new careers. As a result, we are all keen to help and keep each other company. For me, the relationships I have formed and knowing that I have good friends who I can rely on makes me feel at home.

What has been the most interesting cultural nuance of people living in the United Kingdom? Why has this struck you? The most interesting cultural nuance I’ve experienced while living in the United Kingdom has been the incredible diversity of people—not just at LBS but in London as a whole. What has struck me most is how this diversity translates into real moments of cultural exchange. I’ve had the opportunity to experience my friends’ unique rituals and celebrations, such as participating in the Diwali Dance—a vibrant and joyful tradition—and celebrating Ethiopian New Year, which introduced me to new customs and values. I’ve also been surrounded by people of different religions, which has given me a greater appreciation for their beliefs, practices, and how they shape their perspectives on life and work.

This exposure has been more than just learning about cultures—it has challenged me to reflect on my own assumptions, broaden my worldview, and become a more open and empathetic person. It has also made me realize how diversity enriches problem-solving, as I’ve seen firsthand in my study group where each member’s cultural background adds a new layer of insight to tackling challenges.

Are you seeking a Visa to work in the United Kingdom after graduation? If so, what obstacles have you faced and how did you overcome them? No, I am not thinking of staying in the UK after graduation. My plan is to go back to America, given that I want to be closer to my family. My plan would be to try to relocate either to USA or Mexico.

What have you done to make it easier to make friends with people from outside your home country at business school? Making friends at LBS can be challenging because, with 430 people in the program, it’s difficult to find the time to build meaningful relationships with everyone. I quickly realized that I wasn’t going to be able to connect with everyone on a deeper level, so I decided to focus on building true friendships rather than simply adding more contacts to my WhatsApp chat.

Being proactive and extroverted, I take the initiative to organize activities that allow me to spend quality time with the people I want to get to know better. As the community rep for my stream, I organize events that strengthen our bonds. To expand my network beyond my stream, I’ve helped organize intercultural gatherings that bring together Peruvians and people from other nationalities.

I’m also very active in clubs that align with my interests and allow me to meet people from different streams and programs. I serve as Social Officer for the Student Association, Logistics Officer for the LBS Women in Business Club’s EQUALL Conference, and Social Officer at the LATAM Club. Additionally, I participate in the touch rugby and basketball teams. These activities not only help me connect with people I wouldn’t usually interact with but also provide shared interests and additional topics to build meaningful connections.

Finally, when I feel there’s someone I really want to reconnect with or get to know better but haven’t had the chance to spend time with recently, I make a point to reach out and invite them for lunch or a drink. These moments allow us to catch up, share updates, and strengthen our friendship.

What piece of advice would you give to an international student looking to study in a UK graduate business program? Don’t be afraid! There’s no better city to study for your MBA than London. London Business School offers incredible opportunities to connect with people from all over the world, and it’s up to you to leverage the city to organize fun activities with the amazing new people you’ll meet. Yes, it’s far from home, it’s scary, and sometimes emotionally draining, but remember the majority of your classmates are going through this too. You will find your tribe, the people who will help you along this journey.

Don’t hesitate to share how you’re really feeling about stress or homesickness. You’ll quickly realize that everyone is in the same boat. It’s easy to arrive and feel the need to pretend you’ve got everything figured out, especially when you’re surrounded by so many talented people who seem to have their lives sorted. Believe me, no one does—and the beauty of this experience is that we all get to learn how to figure it out together.

It’s also very easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of activities, the desire to meet everyone, and the pressure to land an internship while maintaining good grades. My advice is to focus on your priorities. Reflect on what you want to get out of your MBA experience and write down the key steps that will help you achieve that. Then, invest your time in those areas.

Don’t forget to leave some free time to recharge and do things that energize you. If you’re coming with a partner, like I did, make sure to carve out time to spend together—just the two of you. The MBA journey can be intense, but with the right balance, it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.

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