Cheese, Cliffs, And Confidence: One American’s Unlikely Path To Leadership In Europe

As an American who has rolled down a hill in England three times in pursuit of cheese, and won twice, Abby Lampe has never been afraid to try something new. She first saw the famous Gloucestershire cheese-rolling race on social media and decided to give it a go “just for the experience.”

It is the same instinct that has guided many of her choices: a curiosity to step outside her comfort zone and see what happens. That mindset eventually led her from North Carolina to Switzerland to join IMD’s MBA program in Lausanne. A former strategy consultant and engineer, Abby wanted an experience that would push her beyond familiar patterns and immerse her in a truly international environment.

“I’d looked at several business schools in the US, but many felt quite similar, with people from the same backgrounds and the same ways of thinking,” she said. “I wanted something more global, where classmates had lived and worked in completely different contexts. That’s what drew me to IMD.”

Switzerland, with its mountain trails and lakeside calm, offered the perfect setting for what she hoped would be a year of reflection and challenge. “I’d visited before and loved it,” she said. “It’s such an active country, and IMD matched that spirit: intense, demanding, and full of energy.”

Why IMD Stood Out

Beyond the location, what impressed Abby most was IMD’s focus on leadership and its unusually close-knit community. “They don’t just talk about developing leaders; it’s something you live every day here,” she said.

The IMD MBA is known for its connected, highly personalized approach. Each participant receives executive coaching, career guidance, and regular feedback from faculty. “You’re not just another face in a large cohort,” Abby said. “People notice how you’re growing and challenge you to keep developing.”

She expected a strong academic program, but what surprised her was how quickly it began to feel personal. “You build genuine relationships here,” she said. “Everyone comes in with different backgrounds and strengths, but there’s a shared commitment to helping each other improve.”

A Close-knit, Competitive Community

That sense of community carries through into every aspect of life at IMD, including outside the classroom. “You’re surrounded by people who genuinely want you to succeed,” Abby said. “It’s competitive, but in the best way. Everyone brings out the best in each other.”

Abby’s class is diverse and dynamic, filled with people who share her drive and sense of adventure. “We have so many athletes in the class: runners, climbers, skiers. It’s a very active group, which makes living in Switzerland even better,” she said.

That energy was on full display at the MBA Tournament (MBAT) hosted by HEC Paris, often described as the Olympics for MBA students. Abby competed in multiple events, helping IMD win seventeen medals and rank among the top schools in Europe. “It was one of the most fun weekends I’ve had here,” she said. “We gave it our all, and the amount of support from classmates was incredible.”

She also noticed how much her mindset had shifted. “Before the MBA, I was very results-driven. Through IMD, I’ve learned to focus more on the process, on effort and teamwork rather than just the outcome. That’s something I’ll carry with me.”

Moving to Switzerland also came with small but memorable lessons in adapting to a new way of life. “I didn’t expect everything to close so early,” she laughed. “Shops, grocery stores, even restaurants. You learn quickly to plan ahead, but it’s also part of what I’ve come to love here: the pace is different. People take their time, and you start to appreciate that.”

For an active, outdoors-loving person like Abby, the Swiss lifestyle felt like a natural fit. Weekend hikes, lake swims, and ski trips became regular ways to unwind between classes. “It’s such a healthy, beautiful environment,” she said. “You can push yourself hard during the week and still find space to breathe.”

A Culture Of Leadership And Feedback

At IMD, leadership development is the thread that runs through the entire MBA and truly distinguishes it from other programs. The Leadership Stream weaves together classroom learning, coaching, and reflection to help participants understand how they show up as leaders and where they can grow.

“It’s very real and very personal,” Abby said. “Throughout the year, you’re constantly being observed, coached, and supported. You start to see patterns in how you make decisions, how you react under pressure, and how you communicate.”

A central part of this process is the program’s feedback culture. Every two months, students take part in structured feedback sessions where they reflect on their performance within their group and share observations with one another. “I didn’t realize how much we’d do it,” Abby said. “It’s built into the experience, and it happens regularly enough that it becomes second nature.”

It was a shift for her at first. “Before coming to IMD, I was fine receiving feedback, but I didn’t like giving it. I didn’t want to hurt someone’s feelings or say the wrong thing. But because we practice it so often, you learn how to make it constructive and specific. It becomes part of how you lead.”

That rhythm of self-reflection, coaching, and peer insight, she said, makes the learning incredibly practical. “You can’t just go through the motions here. The feedback helps you become more self-aware, and that awareness changes how you lead, both in the program and beyond.”

Lessons From The Climb

Climbing the iconic Matterhorn in September this year gave Abby a new perspective on what she’d learned, and it remains one of the hardest things she’s ever done. “You can prepare as much as you want, but there’s a point where it’s just you, the mountain, and your mindset,” she said.

She sees a clear connection between the experience and her time at IMD. “Both require discipline, teamwork, and the ability to stay calm under pressure,” she said. “At IMD, we’re constantly challenged to think strategically and adapt quickly. Those same skills helped me on the climb.”

The parallels go deeper. “You can’t reach a summit alone. At IMD, your classmates become your rope team. You trust each other, support each other, and push one another to go further than you thought possible.”

A Year Of Growth, In Every Sense

Looking back, Abby describes her MBA year as one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of her life. “It’s not just about business knowledge,” she said. “It’s about self-awareness, resilience, and learning how to lead in a way that’s authentic.”

The friendships, she added, have been just as important as the lessons. “This community is special. You go through something intense together, and those bonds last. Even when it’s hard, you know you’re surrounded by people who have your back.”

For anyone back home wondering whether it’s worth crossing the Atlantic for an MBA, Abby’s message is simple: do it wholeheartedly. “If you’re thinking about studying in Europe, come with curiosity and an open mind. Be ready to learn from everyone around you and from yourself too. The year goes by fast, so take every opportunity you can, even the ones that scare you a little.”

She smiled. “You’ll be amazed by how much you grow, and how many people you’ll have cheering you on along the way.”

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