“I came here with no experience, but not without a goal.” An essay by Valeria Gorbunova
This essay by Valeria has been left almost entirely unedited. We deliberately preserved her voice: she is learning two languages that are not her native tongues, and the way she writes is part of the story itself.
A different major, a different language
When I applied for the MBA program, it was something completely new to me. I’ve lived in China since childhood and received my education there. First, I graduated from high school, then from a college where I studied to become a flight attendant, and after that I earned a bachelor’s degree in history. My history education gave me the ability to analyze information and see the connections between events. I hadn’t been directly involved in business before; I had neither the experience nor the understanding of how it all works.
My parents have been in business in China for 22 years, and I’ve been exposed to that environment. But I’ve hardly been involved myself, so this is still a new field for me. I was often around their work—at negotiations, meetings, and trade shows. I saw how quality control was carried out and how shipments were organized. I was just observing, but it gave me a general understanding of the business.
It was really hard at first
I take classes in languages that aren't my native languages—Russian and English. Sometimes I find it hard to read quickly or understand the material right away. Sometimes I need more time than others do.
It was really hard at first. I didn't always understand the topics, got confused by the terminology, and sometimes didn't even know where to start on an assignment. I wondered if maybe I'd chosen a path that was too difficult.
What Has Changed
Over time, things got a little easier. I started to understand the subjects better and don’t get as lost in the material anymore. Most importantly, I started thinking differently. Before, I would just read and try to memorize things. Now I think more about what options are available, what the risks might be, and what will happen next. I’ve started not just studying, but understanding how to apply my knowledge in practice. This is a whole new level for me.
I’ve gotten better at working with information. Now it’s easier for me to grasp the main points and explain them in my own words. Even if it’s not perfect, I no longer feel afraid to do so. I’ve also learned to manage my time better. At first, it was hard to get everything done, and I often put things off. Now I try to tackle things step by step and not leave things until the last minute.
To be honest, I can see how much I've changed over this time. I came here with no experience, a different major, and some language challenges. But now I understand the basics of business and feel like I can keep learning. And for me, that's already a big achievement.
Don't Give Up
For me, this learning experience isn’t just about knowledge. It’s about the fact that I was able to keep going, even when things got tough. Sometimes it was so hard that I wanted to give up, but I kept moving forward anyway. I realize I’m still just at the beginning of my journey. But even now, I know I can keep going.
Outside of School
In addition to her MBA, Valeria practices Kyokushin karate, referees competitions, and works with the youth group at her club in China.
What it looks like during practice
A short clip from inside the club, filmed on a cell phone by one of my training partners.
This text is based on the essay “What I Have Accomplished During My Studies,” dated April 24, 2026. The photos and videos were provided by the author.