Discover Cristian Diaz’s MBA journey at TIAS Business School and learn how TIAS offers a transformative learning experience designed to merge academic excellence with practical application, empowering professionals with leadership and strategic skills.
Are you exploring MBA options and wondering if TIAS School for Business and Society suits you? Learn about Cristian Diaz’s MBA journey as an example of the transformative learning experience at TIAS School for Business and Society, also known as TIAS Business School.
Before the MBA, Cristian Diaz worked as a Senior Investment Strategist at the largest bank in Colombia. He excelled in his position, but after some time, he decided to follow his dream of studying abroad. After researching various MBAs, he felt TIAS School for Business and Society was the right choice. The school stood out to him initially due to its personalized approach and approachability. The high rankings, great location, international cohort, and the opportunity for scholarships ultimately made the school his first choice.
TIAS School for Business and Society offers numerous programs and specializations to match students’ ambitions and learning goals. For Cristian, pursuing an MBA at TIAS School for Business and Society was about more than simply gaining knowledge and educational experience. TIAS helped to open the door to working in the Netherlands, a strong digital and business hub for professionals. He states, “It’s changed my career. I think the MBA at TIAS is a really good stepping stone for entering the Netherlands job market.” (20:29)
Regardless of each candidate’s career background, the MBA at TIAS provides comprehensive support to enhance their skills and achieve their long-term career aspirations. Cristian notes, “These kinds of experiences, the company visits, the consultancy project, the personal career development, they are really motivating, and they energize you.” (20:10)
Each year, TIAS School for Business and Society welcomes postgraduate students from across the globe. The international angle and English-taught MBA program promise a diverse learning environment and a globally relevant education that prepares students for success in an interconnected world. For Cristian, the MBA allowed him to broaden his mindset, network with new people, and peer-learn from his classmates’ points of view. (4:01)
In addition, for Cristian, the personal and career coaches at TIAS stood out as a key factor in supporting his professional journey. The personalized experience significantly enriched his overall education experience. (6:50)
TIAS’s practical approach also strongly resonated with Cristian, as the knowledge gained could be directly applied to real-life situations. Cristian appreciated the combination of a theoretical approach with guidance on using his skills in the reality of the working world. (7:55)
The quality of the MBA program at TIAS School for Business and Society is reflected in its program and high rankings. It holds accreditations from AACSB, NVAO, and AMBA. TIAS School for Business and Society was ranked #36 in the Financial Times European Business Schools Ranking. QS also ranked it as #36 in the QS Global MBA Rankings 2025: Europe.
When Cristian enrolled in the MBA program at TIAS School for Business and Society, he knew it was the right fit. His advice? Look closely at the curriculum TIAS offers to see if the topics resonate with you. If they do, that’s a good sign; it might also be the right decision for you. (18:45)
The MBA at TIAS School for Business and Society includes an optional double-degree track, allowing you to earn both an MBA and an MSc degree in just 1.5 years. Students can specialize in Business Analytics or Financial Management. They also have the opportunity to tailor their learning through specialization tracks, electives, and an internship or start-up project.
TIAS also emphasizes bridging theory and practice, reflected in various teamwork projects and real-life consultancy project. He gained valuable experience working with different cultures and professional backgrounds and learning to manage teamwork effectively. (5:25)
Cristian shares that one highlight was working on a Vodafone-Ziggo consultancy project. Here, he gained valuable hands-on experience collaborating directly with clients while receiving guidance from professors, which was a perfect blend of solution-focused learning and practical execution. (14:25)
These hands-on and collaborative elements made the TIAS MBA stand out for Cristian. They allowed him to gain real-life work experience and hone essential soft skills such as teamwork and communication. These skills are crucial in the workplace, providing students with the tools to succeed after graduation.
Cristian was drawn to the TIAS School for Business and Society’s international atmosphere, enriched by its ideal location in Utrecht. The school has two campuses in Utrecht and Tilburg, each offering specific facilities designed to enhance the learning experience and cater to diverse student needs.
The Utrecht campus is a quick five-minute bike ride from the city center, with all necessary amenities within arm’s reach. Students from TIAS School for Business and Society can also make use of the facilities of the Utrecht University campus, such as the library and study areas. (8:19)
Utrecht is a vibrant and young city where many businesses are located. This makes it an appealing location for young graduates and professionals, as there are many networking and employment opportunities.
Outside of Utrecht itself, the Netherlands continues to be a country of great interest for many international students. The Netherlands is known for its high salaries and good work-life balance, and many English-speaking and international companies are based there, particularly in the Randstad area. The Netherlands is a safe and economically sound country in which to study, live, and work. It was ranked the 18th safest country in the world in the 2024 Global Peace Index. The Netherlands is also centrally located in Europe, which is convenient for those wishing to travel or to live in Europe after their studies. A European higher education degree is often helpful for those hoping to work or further study in Europe.
Location was a key factor in Cristian’s decision to study at TIAS School for Business and Society, notably because it offers a gateway into the Dutch job market. As someone interested in data, it made sense to study and work in the Netherlands, the most digitally competitive country in Europe. “The MBA at TIAS is a really good stepping stone to enter the Netherlands job market,” Cristian says about his experience. (21:47) Cristian now works as a Senior Business Analyst at Capgemini. He is currently working on a project for a major Dutch bank called Rabobank.
In addition, TIAS assists students with the Dutch immigration process and helps them apply for a search-year visa after graduation, ensuring that students receive the support they need for these significant life milestones.
Ultimately, the MBA program at TIAS School for Business and Society offers much more than simply the theoretical knowledge necessary to equip students for a future in business. With its practical approach, international angle, and various hands-on and teamwork-based projects, students gain crucial skills that will help them succeed after graduation.
With a focus on the academic, personal, and societal – students are encouraged to grow into better people, students, and leaders. In addition to the program itself, through the Personal and Career Development Program (PCDP), students increase their self-awareness for better career alignment. Each student is assigned a personal coach and a career consultant. Students can even receive free career advice from their career consultant up to three years post-graduation. During the program, students learn about the (Dutch) job market, CVs, job interviews, and LinkedIn. Students leave the program with much more than just theoretical knowledge. The program ensures they have all the tools to start their careers successfully and hit the ground running.
With its strong academic foundation, diverse cultural environment, and international focus, TIAS School for Business and Society is the ideal place for professionals looking to evolve and redefine their careers.
Does Cristian’s student journey inspire you? Connect with TIAS School for Business and Society to gain further insights into their programs.
