We spoke to current Executive Global Master’s in Management (EGMiM) student and Hinrich Foundation Global Trade Leader scholar, Catalina Troncoso, to find out more about why she chose the programme, what drew her to LSE, and how the Hinrich Foundation have aided her experience. 

1. Tell us about yourself and your background

I’m an industrial engineer from the University of Chile. I have been working in Finance, Analytics and Project Management since the beginning of my career. I also worked for the government’s Ministry of Education in 2016 for the New Public Education System, which has been successful so far. Now I am the Head of Finance at wherEX, an expanding Chilean start-up in Latin America. I come from the south of the country, and lived in Chiloé until I was 18 years old – a beautiful island where most of my family still reside.

2. What attracted you to studying our Executive Global Master’s in Management (EGMiM) at LSE?

A key reason I applied to study EGMiM at LSE is because of the social science perspective it has. Most MBA’s do not delve into the “why?” or go into a deep understanding of what is underneath current management practices. However, EGMiM does! LSE do not just teach you things for the sake of it, they push you to question yourself on how to put different techniques into practise. EGMiM makes you think about what the best solutions are instead of lending you a toolkit.

Another key benefit is the global perspective of the programme, the nationalities of the cohort and the chances of travelling to other countries and all you can learn from that. Living in Chile feels far from everything, so this programme definitely brings the chance to come closer to the developed world.

3. What are your favourite aspects of the course so far?

The classmates, the professors.

It is definitely the people that make the programme so great – particularly the ones I’ve met in person. It makes a whole difference to have them in the same room and discuss different topics with professors. I would encourage future students and even my own classmates to make all the efforts to go to in-person classes.

4. What benefits have you experienced since being part of the Global Trader Leader scholarship?

First of all, it allows me to access the programme! The scholarship was a fundamental part in paying towards my tuition and all the costs of travelling every 3 months to London or elsewhere, since I am self-funded.

Apart from that obvious topic, Hinrich is an incredible Foundation. It makes you feel part of a community. It’s not just the events, but the news they share and all the research work they do.

5. When did your interest in global trade, specifically within the Asian market, begin? 

Since my first job (when I was the Development Manager of a vineyard) I have been connected to global sustainability because I believe we must all take responsibility and action to make this planet a better place to live. When wherEX started its expansion, I knew Asia was the goal to reach. We’re still far from having buyers there, but we’re already gaining support from countries like China and Vietnam, so there’s a big opportunity to get to know the market, culture and possible associations for when we’re ready to take the next steps.

6. Do you have any tips or advice for those who are planning on applying for the Hinrich Foundation’s Global Trader Leader scholarship?

First of all, don’t let the chance go by. Even if you think you are not the right person or feel like you don’t fulfil all parameters. This message goes specifically to women, because we usually believe we have to go beyond expectations. Hinrich Foundation is such an opportunity! Think thoroughly about what your next steps are in the world and how you can be a good fit for them and what you are going to give back to the Foundation! Because this is a two way road!