One of the most rewarding aspects of my 14+ years as an MBA admissions consultant has been the opportunity to work with clients from diverse industries, backgrounds, and cultures. Collaborating with applicants around the world not only offers insight into their unique cultures but sometimes also leads to the joy of meeting them in person.

When my husband and I planned our vacation to Japan (Tokyo and Kyoto) early this month, I was reminded of my Filipino client, Francesca Lucia Pinlac (Cheska), who had worked with me on three Japanese MBA programs — Hitotsubashi ICS, Waseda, and NUCB — and was accepted into all three. She chose her dream program, Hitotsubashi ICS, where she was also awarded a prestigious Japanese government scholarship that covered her full tuition and living expenses.

Cheska graduated last year and is now a Senior Consultant at Ernst & Young in Tokyo. I reached out to let her know I would be in Tokyo, and we decided to meet for coffee at my hotel. Those two hours flew by as we talked about MBA experience, life and work in Japan, and her plans to eventually return to the Philippines.

It was a pleasure reconnecting with a former mentee whose growth and achievements make me deeply proud. It reaffirmed my belief that mentoring goes beyond guiding someone through applications; it’s about watching them grow, achieve, and thrive in new environments. Meeting Cheska in Tokyo reminded me how rewarding this journey truly is.

For those interested in reading about her MBA application experience, read Cheska’s inspiring story about her MBA application journey:

A Filipino Candidate Got into 3 Japanese B-Schools, including Hitotsubashi ICS, with Japanese National Scholarship

📸 Sharing a few photos from our lovely coffee chat in Tokyo below.