For many students, graduation marks the end of a chapter. But for SMU’s MSc in Management (MIM) graduate Ryanne, it was something else entirely - “just the end of the introduction.”
During the MIM Graduation Dinner in April 2026, Ryanne delivered a heartfelt speech on behalf of the cohort, one that reflected not just the academic journey of the past 16 months, but the friendships, resilience, and quiet moments that shaped the experience along the way.
At the heart of his message was a simple but powerful idea: greatness is not defined by titles, money, or status, but by courage, persistence, and the people who walk beside you.
From Strangers to a Community
Ryanne recalled the very first day of the programme at SMU’s Admin Building, a mix of excitement, nerves, and silent attempts to look “casually impressive.” But beneath the awkward introductions and first impressions was something that quickly became a defining part of the MIM experience: community.
“What struck me from the beginning was how welcoming MIM felt,” he shared in his speech. “It never felt transactional. People just wanted to say hi, make friends, and be open.”
Coming from different countries and backgrounds, the cohort brought together perspectives from across the region and beyond, from Malaysia and Indonesia to Bahrain, Myanmar, India, China, and New Zealand. For Ryanne, this diversity became one of the programme’s greatest gifts.
The Challenges Behind the Achievement
Of course, the MIM journey was not without its challenges.
Ryanne candidly spoke about the intensity of coursework, unforgettable exams, and the all too familiar panic of entering class unprepared for case discussions. In a moment that drew laughter from the audience, he joked about students relying on ChatGPT to survive cold calls during strategy lessons, a relatable snapshot of modern student life.
But beyond the humour was a deeper reality many students faced: the internship search.
For many in the cohort, securing internships meant navigating rejection, uncertainty, and months of applications and interviews. It was a process that tested resilience as much as ambition.
“From the outside, a degree looks polished,” Ryanne reflected. “But from the inside, it’s stress, rejection, resilience, self-doubt, and getting up over and over again.”
His words resonated deeply across the room, a reminder that growth rarely feels graceful while you are in the middle of it.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
One of Ryanne’s defining experiences in the programme came through SMU X Overseas (SMU XO), where he and 15 classmates travelled to Osaka, Japan, for a consulting project with a local company.
While the project itself was memorable, what stayed with him most was what the experience represented.
“It showed me that this programme was never just about classrooms,” he shared. “It was about being thrown into real situations, with real people, and growing through hardships together.”
That balance between academic rigour and experiential learning is something many MIM students come to appreciate, whether through consulting projects, internships, overseas exposure, or the relationships built along the way.
The Real Meaning of Greatness
As the evening drew to a close, Ryanne left the cohort with a Latin phrase: Sic parvis magna — greatness from small beginnings.
For him, the MIM programme was exactly that: the beginning of lifelong friendships, future ambitions, and journeys still unfolding.
Perhaps most importantly, his speech reminded everyone in the room that success is rarely achieved alone.
“We’ll remember the people who encouraged us when we were anxious. The people who replied in the group chat, shared notes, stayed late, checked in, or simply gave us a smile before class.”
In many ways, that may be the true takeaway from the MIM experience, not just the lessons learned in class, but the people who make the journey unforgettable.
And for the MIM Class of January 2025, their story is only just getting started.
