My Launchpad: A Village Dream, A Global Reality

Muhammad Bilal (MBA 2025) shares how his journey from a 

remote village in KPK to an exchange semester in Paris became 

a life-changing experience—one that redefined his ambitions, 

broadened his worldview, and proved that big dreams can grow

 from small places.

I come from a small village called Latamber, tucked away in the southern part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It’s the kind of place where most people don’t talk about MBAs or study exchanges in Europe. In Latamber, career paths are usually limited. People either go into farming, run small businesses, or try to find government jobs. Overseas education is something you hear about on the news or in someone else's story—not something you actually imagine for yourself.

Growing up, I didn't know anyone who had studied abroad. There weren’t many mentors around, and access to information was limited. Most of us studied hard to clear exams, with the hope of finding a decent job someday. The idea of attending a university like LUMS felt far-fetched, not because I didn’t believe in my ability, but because I did not know that a path like that even existed for someone like me. 

So when I finally made it to LUMS, it wasn’t just a location change; it was a shift in mindset. It was the first time I realised that there’s a much bigger world out there, and I could actually be part of it. And then, when the opportunity came to go to Paris for a semester, it felt unreal—not because it was fancy or glamorous, but because it was a world I had never imagined myself stepping into. Growing up, I never thought I’d end up at one of the top business schools in Pakistan—let alone spend a semester studying in Paris. But here’s the thing: once you start believing that you can aim higher, things slowly begin to shift. Getting into LUMS was not easy. There were days filled with self-doubt, financial stress, and the pressure of expectations. But thanks to a lot of hard work and the financial aid that LUMS offered, I made it. That acceptance letter felt like the first real crack in the glass ceiling I had been staring at my whole life.

Once I got here, it was a different world. LUMS isn’t just about books and lectures; it’s about conversations that challenge your thinking, group projects that test your patience, and classmates from all over Pakistan who bring in completely different perspectives. It was intense, and I loved it. But the moment that really changed everything for me? Landing a spot in the semester exchange programme in Paris.

Imagine this: a student from a quiet village now walking the streets of Paris, sitting in classrooms with people from ten different countries, discussing global business cases, and learning about markets that once felt like a distant dream. I remember eating my first croissant before class and thinking, “This is real. I’m actually here.” More than the academics, it was the exposure that made the biggest difference. Don’t get me wrong, the courses in Paris were solid—but what stayed with me were the everyday moments. Sitting in group meetings where everyone brought a completely different approach to solving the same problem. Watching how people negotiated, gave feedback, or even handled disagreements was eye-opening. Even outside class, the exposure was constant. A casual dinner conversation could turn into a lesson on how businesses work in Brazil or how startups are scaling in Germany. You start connecting dots you never saw before. You begin to understand that there’s no one right way to do things—that context, culture, and perspective shape everything. And that shift in thinking? You carry it with you long after the exchange is over. It changes how you listen, how you speak, and how you make decisions. That kind of growth doesn’t come from just reading a case study—it comes from living it.

LUMS made that possible. It wasn’t just an education—it was a launchpad. A place where someone like me, with limited means but big dreams, could compete, grow, and explore the world. So, if you're reading this and wondering if you belong at a place like LUMS—here’s my answer: yes, you do. Don’t let your background define your future. Work hard. Be curious. And don’t be afraid to dream a little bigger.

Sometimes, the road from Latamber can really lead to Paris.