Full-time MBA student Sandra Orihuela shares how the Alliance Manchester Business School MBA influenced her career goals, helped her transition to the U.K. as an international student, and gave her a global perspective. She attributes her selection of AMBS to their strong alumni network, global community ties, and rich diversity within an international cohort.
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Sandra Orihuela Salas is studying the Full-Time MBA at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS). Originally from Peru, the business management professional previously worked in the food and beverage (F&B) and banking sectors.
“I had eight years of experience working [at] Nestlé, in consumer goods… I learned how to work with global brands, [and] also interact with different markets in different languages,” she says. (02:38)
But her love of technology drove a desire to pivot her career to a different sector.
“I was looking to other industries, where technology is more aligned to the core. That’s how I transitioned into financial services,” she explains. (03:05)
Sandra was pleasantly surprised to discover that many of her skills and knowledge were transferable to other areas. But she wanted to learn within a bigger ecosystem. This led her to pursue an international MBA.
Sandra had a clear set of expectations for her chosen MBA.
“When I decided to study abroad and look for an MBA, I was looking for three things. First, a university that had a long trajectory and heritage in the U.K. market,” says Sandra. (00:24)
AMBS certainly fit the bill in that regard. The school was founded in 1965, making it one of the first of its kind established in the U.K. Today, it’s ranked #17 in Europe in the QS Global MBA Rankings 2026. Furthermore, AMBS is one of only 1% of business schools worldwide to hold triple crown accreditation.
Secondly, Sandra sought a business school based in the U.K. “I wanted to practice my English,” she says. “…and study in a language that would serve me wherever I wanted to go after the MBA.” (00:45) Her mastery of the language led her to become president of the school’s Technology, Media & Telecom Club.
Finally, tapping into a strong global community was another key factor in Sandra’s decision. As she explains, “I looked for a university that had a really strong network of alumni… already placed in the industries that I was looking for… in this case, in financial services.” (01:04)
AMBS’s strong alumni network provided Sandra with the perfect platform for career growth. It offered her lifelong professional connections and valuable industry insights.
For Sandra, one of the more profound learning experiences is how to relate to people who come from different backgrounds.
AMBS students come from 135 different countries with students in the full-time MBA class coming from up to 30 countries. With such a diverse cohort, students develop a high level of emotional intelligence. They also gain an understanding of the nuances of culture and team dynamics.
“We all have different backgrounds, but also our own personal traits. I think that’s exactly what you would find in an international atmosphere at a role you would land after the MBA”, explains Sandra. (04:04)
This international exposure convinced Sandra to expand her studies. She switched from the 15-month to the 18-month pathway. This enabled her to take part in an exchange program in Shanghai, giving her an enriching experience of business and the world. It proved to be perfect preparation for a global business environment.
Sandra says the move to the U.K. came with a few challenges. The first won’t be a surprise for anyone who has experienced the gray skies of the British Isles.
“I would say, the biggest challenge… the weather,” she says with a smile. “[But] to be honest… for people interested in going to Manchester, it does not rain as much as they say it does,” she adds. (06:09)
Moving away from family was another difficulty for Sandra. But she embraced the opportunity to build a support network in the MBA ecosystem. She also took comfort from the fact that, with such a diverse cohort at AMBS, others were facing the same challenge of a new life abroad.
“One of the biggest challenges,” says Sandra, “is that all the networks you have built… during your years of experience no longer exist in your new environment. So you have to build that from scratch.” (07:11)
Sandra points to the Postgraduate Careers and Alumni Relations teams as being an invaluable source of support in this regard.
“[It not only] provides you contact with alumni, but also gives you one-to-one support… and prepares you to get that confidence you need.” (07:32)
This assistance helped Sandra land a role at American Express as part of the AMBS MBA summer internship program.
The AMBS MBA gives students exposure to the working environment of the U.K. market. This teaches them how to apply the theories they learn in a real-world context.
“From day one, you are given a consultancy project,” explains Sandra. (09:07) “You have real exposure and connection with real companies that have a problem… it could be that they are trying to raise money, trying to enter a new market, or [implementing] a new strategy to apply in the market.” (09:12)
These are collaborative projects, often involving teams of people from vastly different backgrounds. As Sandra explains, “You do this while working in an international setting… in my case, I had teams where I worked with people from Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Chile… different parts of the globe. This provides you with different perspectives to address the same problem… It’s an amazing way to learn.” (09:48)
This “learning by doing” approach is a core aspect of the school’s Manchester Method. This approach inspires students to make informed decisions, lead in multinational groups, and reflect critically and analytically.
Like Sandra, many MBA students make sacrifices to pursue their dreams. They push themselves outside their comfort zones and take risks.
The best way to prepare yourself for an MBA is to walk in the footsteps of those who have made the journey. To draw inspiration from those who have traveled the path we wish to take. For Sandra, this meant reaching out to hear the stories of international students in Manchester.
“I would suggest the best way to connect with the university is through the current students or alumni,” says Sandra. “It’s always best to hear first hand what the university offers, what the city offers…” (10:31)
Her parting words are a glowing endorsement for the school that helped shape her career. “In my opinion, it’s one of the strongest brands in the U.K.” (11:08)
As Sandra says, there’s nothing quite like hearing first-hand from students and alumni. Her inspirational story has taken her around the world and given her exciting opportunities. For fellow professionals like Sandra, looking to study at AMBS, a life-changing experience awaits.
For more information about the Alliance Manchester Business School, contact one of their student ambassadors or read our previous articles to learn more.
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