New Clubs and Fall Colors: Reflections on Two Months at Yale SOM
First-year MBA students share highlights of their experiences since arriving on campus in August.
“My first two months at SOM have been packed with everything I hoped for—as well as a few surprises! After years in the workplace, it’s been refreshing to be back in the classroom, where we’ve done everything from building Legos and solving tangram puzzles to creating dozen decision trees and painting a huge picture with 70 classmates during team-building sessions. I’ve also kept busy with an admissions chair position in the student government, a part-time job at the Yale LGBTQ Center, and events with all the clubs I love. Whether it’s school-wide events like Tite n’ Brite, Closing Bells, and Spirit Day, or simply bumping into people around the East Rock neighborhood and grocery shopping with friends, there’s always someone to hang out with. I’ve also eaten a lot more pizza (and way fewer veggies) than I expected—New Haven’s pizza obsession is real!
As an introvert adjusting to life in a new country, I sometimes need to hide away and recharge. Lately, that’s meant going off by myself to admire the stunning fall colors—it’s my first fall ever, and I’m absolutely loving the way the trees are changing color. SOM promises to be a place where I’ll continue to find many homes over the next couple of years. I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.”
Ahita Paul ’26
“In my first few months at SOM, there have been a bunch of highlights, like getting to know and competing against peers during Field Day and participating in clubs and activities that align with my personal interests (shoutout Golf Club!) and professional goals. A standout for me is the Meng Impact Investment Fund, a student-led investment fund focused on deploying capital to entrepreneurs creating social impact across different verticals. Between exploring the city of New Haven, attending SOM-wide events and parties, and spending time in Evans Hall (where I find myself buying top-notch chocolate chip cookies from our café), settling into the MBA experience has been undoubtedly busy but truly incredible.”
Kavi Saxena ’26
“My time at Yale so far has been inspiring and dynamic, filling me with excitement about the opportunities ahead. In the past few months, I’ve been able to use lessons from the classroom and from my supportive community to scale the fast-casual bánh mì restaurant I built prior to SOM. A highlight of my experience has been the first-year core class Modeling Managerial Decisions, which has equipped me to approach menu strategy and restaurant operations through a quantitative lens. As I put these modeling and framework tools into practice, SOM will guide my decisions as I serve each guest, one bánh mì at a time.”
Wit Wattananimitgul ’26
“My most pronounced feeling I have upon reflecting on the beginning of my MBA journey, is appreciation for the incredible growth that I’ve experienced in only a couple of months. Between the rigorous academic curriculum, being surrounded by the most talented people from the broadest reaches of business that I’ve ever encountered, and the seemingly limitless opportunities provided by the institution, I am never at a loss for new ways to challenge myself. I’d specifically call out my cohort and learning team as a source of support and growth throughout these first few weeks. The eight students on my learning team come from five countries and speak 11 languages collectively. They have brought more perspective to my understanding of business and society than any other team environment I’ve experienced.”
Nico Sahi ’26
“The academic experience so far has been incredibly engaging. My favorite core curriculum course has been Accounting with Anya Nakhmurina, where we analyze the financial statements of Fortune 500 companies and have spirited discussions about accounting ethics. Outside the classroom, I’ve become involved in the First-Generation/Low-Income Club, the American-Latine Business Association, and the Hockey Club. Through these clubs, I’ve learned to skate, met second-year mentors, and connected with other students from similar backgrounds who are equally excited to engage with the greater SOM community.
When I’m not studying or attending a club event, I can be found doing something fun with my cohort. (Shoutout, Blues!) Even with all the things I’ve experienced so far, I still feel like I’m scratching the surface of the opportunities yet to come.”
Sergio Bolivar ’26
“One of the many reasons I chose Yale SOM was the strong sense of community I observed as an applicant. Less than one month after school started, I’ve experienced the warmth of that community in a powerful way. Recently, I was offered an internship interview with just a few days’ notice; having never done a case interview before, I posted a message asking for advice in the Slack channel of a club I had joined. I was surprised by how quickly and generously the other students rallied around me—within an hour, no fewer than five people reached out offering to help me prepare that weekend! In the weeks since, I’ve realized that this kind of interaction is totally normal at SOM. My classmates are genuinely excited to share their expertise, champion each other, and offer a helping hand.”
Caroline Petro ’26
“The last couple of months have flown by! I’ve had the opportunity to explore so many things, but my learning team experience and the student communities I’ve found on campus have been the highlight by far. As a team, we kicked off our time together at SOM with outdoor activities, Lego-building challenges, and a pizza party. (We ordered from the three main pizza spots in New Haven and taste-tested each to decide our favorite.) It’s been wonderful getting to learn more about each of my teammates’ journeys to SOM.
Beyond classes, I’m excited to be a part of the First-Gen/Low-Income club on campus, the American Latine Business Association, and the Meng Impact Investing Fund as a deal team member. Each of these communities has allowed me to connect with students from different cohorts, years, and degree programs. I’m looking forward to what the rest of the year has in store and excited to continue meeting more members within the SOM community and beyond.”
Seidy Pacheco ’26
“One of the most exciting parts of my SOM experience so far has been running for the Graduate and Professional Student Senate and getting elected. I had no background in student government, and this opportunity to work with students from across Yale has been incredible. Another highlight has been Professor Tauhid Zaman’s probability lectures, where AI-generated voices of Beyoncé or Ryan Reynolds would unexpectedly pop in. It was hilarious and engaging, and it’s that mix of community, rigor, and creativity that makes SOM such a unique place.”
Nurşen Öğütveren ’26
“The SOM experience has been a whirlwind since I set foot in Evans Hall. Classes, clubs, recruiting, networking, socials—I am 95% confident that the expression “drinking from a fire hose” comes from this very experience. For me, my trip to the ROMBA Conference in Los Angeles (the world’s largest gathering of LGBTQ+ business students and alums) has been the most meaningful experience thus far. It was not only a break from the everyday hustle, but also a chance to explore my career goals through a broad queer network. This three-day event helped me to connect with amazing classmates, second-years, and MBA students outside SOM. It makes sense that the founder of this special space, where students aren’t competing but rather supporting and building each other up, is an SOM grad. I’m grateful that I had such a unique opportunity this early in the program.”
Satoshi Suga ’26
“Time truly flies when you’re having fun! It’s hard to believe Fall 1 has come and gone. From my first day, the people at SOM have been the highlight of my experience. The life-long friendships I’ve been able to form in the first few weeks have been a testament to the welcoming community on campus. From going on a post-finals weekend trip to southern Vermont with classmates, to the countless spontaneous meals and get-togethers, these friendships and shared laughs have been truly special.
My favorite class so far has been Modeling Managerial Decisions, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the core curriculum. I enjoy the fast-paced nature of our classes, which keeps me on my toes as I balance academics with recruiting for summer internships. I’m also excited to continue contributing to the SOM and New Haven communities: I was elected as a first-year leader for Net Impact, a club for students interested in social-sector careers, and I will also have the privilege to serve as a board member for a local New Haven-based nonprofit through SOM’s Nonprofit Board Fellows club.”
Jose Magaña ’26
