Sebastián Andrés Pizarro Santibáñez

Imperial Business School

Home City and Country: Santiago, Chile

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Bridgestone, Commercial Senior Specialist

How has studying business in the United Kingdom enriched your learning experience? The UK remains a global capital, and that international spirit is felt throughout the Full-Time MBA programme at Imperial. Coming from Chile, where immigration is often from neighbouring Spanish-speaking countries with similar cultures, the diversity in London has been truly eye-opening. At Imperial, I’m constantly meeting people I would never have had the opportunity to meet if I hadn’t chosen to study in the UK. Seeing such a wide range of cultures come together in one city is incredible.

One of the most exciting parts of this experience has been connecting with people from very different backgrounds and hearing a diversity of perspectives in class discussions. Despite our differences, it’s fascinating to realise how many goals and challenges we share. I don’t think I would fully understand or appreciate the value of these experiences if I weren’t a Full-Time MBA student at Imperial.

What has been the toughest transition to living in the United Kingdom so far? What have you done to overcome this difficulty? Leaving behind the comfort of what you know, the support of friends and family, and the ability to rely on them for even the smallest things — has been the hardest part of this experience. Moving to a place that is so different from what I’ve known my whole life hasn’t been easy. I’ve had to become more independent and self-reliant, while also building a new community in London.

Fortunately, I haven’t had to do it all on my own. I came to the UK with my partner, and we’ve been supporting each other throughout this journey. She’s been a real pillar for me, especially when it came to making tough decisions together as a couple, and that support has made the transition to life here much smoother. It hasn’t been without challenges but having someone I trust and can rely on — who’s going through a similar experience, has been essential in helping me overcome them.

What school service has been the most helpful in transitioning to living in the United Kingdom? How has it helped you adapt? The structure of Imperial’s Full-Time MBA programme has made the transition much easier. The induction activities in the first few weeks gave us the chance to collaborate as a class, build connections, and explore both the campus and London together. Those early days were key in helping me transition back into student life while also adjusting to living in a new city. Without that time before classes started, adapting would have been much more challenging.

The mentoring programme has also played an important role in helping me settle into life in London. Being able to connect with an alum from the previous year — who also happens to be from Chile — has been incredibly helpful in navigating the cultural and practical differences of living abroad. Talking to someone who has already been through the same experience, can offer guidance, and genuinely show you that everything will work out is tremendously reassuring.

What has been the most interesting cultural nuance of people living in the United Kingdom? Why has this struck you? Pub culture here is really important, and it’s quite different from what I was used to back home. In Chile, bars don’t usually serve full meals — more just small bites to share. In the UK, people actually go to pubs for dinner, and the food is both traditional and genuinely good. Some of the best British food I’ve had so far has been in pubs.

It’s also amazing how quickly they fill up around 5:00pm, as everyone finishes work. Grabbing a drink with friends or colleagues before heading home creates a real sense of community, and it’s one of the things that makes living here so enjoyable.

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?  I’m still not certain whether I’ll stay in the UK, as we’re still figuring things out. It’s a decision we need to make together as a couple, especially because our visa requirements are quite different. For me, it seems easier to transition from a Student Visa to a Graduate Visa, which adds another layer to the decision.

In the meantime, we’re trying to experience as much of British culture in London as possible, so we can really understand whether this is a place where we feel comfortable living, at least in the near future.

What have you done to make it easier to make friends with people from outside your home country at business school? Being true to yourself and staying open is the best thing you can do. Make an effort to get to know people, but in a way that feels natural to you. When you meet someone new, be respectful of their background and culture, show a genuine interest in their story, and keep an open mind to different ways of seeing the world.

Understanding that not everyone thinks the same and that there’s real value in learning from others is what inspired me to come to the UK and study an MBA at Imperial.

What piece of advice would you give to an international student looking to study in a UK graduate business program? I’d say it’s important to step out of your comfort zone early on, take chances, and get involved in the things that genuinely interest you or that you’re invited to. You never know when you’ll meet someone who could help you professionally or teach you something you hadn’t even considered before.

You don’t have to say yes to everything — there will be times when you need to slow down, spend time on your own, and rest. But when opportunities come up to try something new, don’t be afraid to take them. London is a huge, exciting city full of different people and experiences, so there really is something for everyone. Go out and explore it.

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