By Felipe Kovacic T'EX
Felipe Kovacic is an exchange student from Sydney, where he studies at Australia’s top-ranked MBA (executive) program at the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) of the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Business School. Felipe was born in Australia, however, his Chilean parents eventually took him back to Chile where he served 14 years in the Chilean Navy, also receiving an electronic engineering degree from the Naval Academy. Over six years ago, he left the Navy to return to Australia where he works as a business development executive at Australia´s largest energy company, Origin Energy. Felipe also has interests in sustainability, languages, literature, writing, and taking long walks.
My experience at Tuck has been amazing and has far exceeded my expectations. I conducted significant research on Tuck before coming for the four-month exchange. I learned about the uncommon bond Tuckies share, as well as the exceptional quality of teaching from faculty which I was able to experience firsthand. Other exchange students and I we were immediately well received and integrated in to all the activities at Tuck.
Though Tuck is located in Hanover, N.H., which is not a large city, its location can be a big advantage. It allows us to focus on studying and promotes stronger participation in student activities including numerous clubs. I participate in several including the Case Competition Club and the Dartmouth Energy Collaborative.
As an Ivy League and top-tier business school, Tuck has very strong relationships with other top business schools. I was able to participate in several activities at MIT and Harvard which are only a two-hour drive away. You get the best of both worlds—not too close yet not too far from the action—which allows you to make the absolute most of the learning opportunities.
A highlight of my exchange happened as a result of the clubs at Tuck and the strong relationships they help build. I participated in the MBA International Sales Competition and Conference co-organized by MIT Sloan and Harvard Business School. With a team that included members from Stanford and Rice University, we won the second-place prize in the competition.
Apart from very rigorous academic requirements, there is also time for personal enjoyment. My family was able to visit me during the exchange. With my wife and three-and-a-half-year-old son, we were able to go on a trip during Thanksgiving break to Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Niagara Falls, and New York.
Though I have previously traveled quite a bit and also participated in exchanges during my time in the Chilean Navy—I have sailed on board German, French, Argentinian, Brazilian and Mexican ships—Tuck is definitely one of the most significant life and professional experiences that I have had. It has added another important dimension to my MBA experience.
The Tuck alumni in my home countries of Australia and Chile have also been amazing when I have reached out to them.
I would definitely recommend Tuck to any prospective applicants.
(Above: Felipe and his colleagues won second place in the MBA International Sales Competition and Conference co-organized by MIT Sloan and Harvard Business School.)