Studying for a full-time MBA programme at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) is challenging enough on its own. Magdalena Andrzejewska tells how she embraced the wonderfully unexpected – impending motherhood – throughout RSM’s strenuous MBA programme and graduated cum laude.
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I have always believed that nothing can catch me off-guard, as I’m always prepared for all the possible scenarios that life may throw at me. I was certainly proven wrong on December 23, 2020, as life brought me the most unexpected Christmas gift.
Just a few weeks before I was due to start my full-time MBA programme, I saw two lines on a pregnancy test. To take you back a decade, doctors had said fairly early on that I would struggle to have children. Coming back to reality, here I was, out of a job, a week from the start of my MBA, in a new country, in the middle of a pandemic, with a positive pregnancy test. Perfect timing!
To say it was the biggest shock of my life would be a huge understatement. I must admit that I did not have tears of joy rolling down my cheeks. I felt rather frightened, wondering how I was going to cope. I had thoughts of deferring but with my supportive partner, who was over the moon with the news, I decided that we would pull it off. It wouldn’t be easy, but we were in it together.
So, I braced myself for the first trimester (of pregnancy and MBA). I remember, right on the day of our first class, it all hit me. Exhaustion to the point I could hardly get out of bed, feelings of nausea making it impossible to eat or even drink water, and some odd smells following me everywhere. My partner and I had agreed not to tell anyone other than family until 12 weeks. So, I had to power through all the group project meetings, exams, and classes, without letting my teammates know about my little (big!) secret.
This lasted for the first three months of my pregnancy and quite nicely coincided with the first – most difficult – term of the MBA. It helped tremendously that our classes were online though – also one of the many reasons I am a die-hard supporter of hybrid / remote working. Hats off to all the ladies going to the office when pregnant, battling sickness all day (it does not just happen in the morning).
After the first trimester, things significantly improved. The nausea and exhaustion were gone, I could finally eat again, and the most demanding term was done. Also, I could finally start telling people about my pregnancy.
My MBA teams have been so incredibly supportive, and I feel very lucky to have met so many wonderful, kind people. RSM’s staff was regularly in touch with me seeking updates on any new developments regarding my pregnancy.
On August 28, 2021, I was preparing for my final exam of the third semester when my contractions started. The school was open to extending the deadline, but I thought perhaps I can just continue and complete it. My yet-to-be-born-baby, who had been so cooperative throughout my MBA journey, waited until I finished my exam (so proud of her) and 12 hours later (August 29, 2021), I welcomed Elise into the world.
The next few weeks were a bit of a blur, and I was lucky to have three weeks off before the start of the final term. Now that I was past the pregnancy phase, one might believe that the most difficult part of the journey was over. Without a doubt, it was even more challenging to complete the programme with a newborn baby than when pregnant. But with great support from my partner, my parents, my wonderful friends from the MBA, and the school, I did it; we did it. I finished this journey with cum laude distinction. Would I have wanted it any other way? For sure not.
Here is what I have learned:
I remember reading blogs about MBA and pregnancy a year and a half ago and I am so thrilled I can share my story. I decided to write this for those who have the immense courage to achieve what they want, fighting against all the odds. It will be tough and there will be moments you want to give up. Believe in yourself and surround yourself with kind people – you can do it!
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