Blog post

John Molson MBA Q&A: Choosing Montreal for my studies

September 4, 2019

By Jesus Mondragon, MBA candidate

John Molson MBA Q&A is a series of interview-style blogposts discussing the John Molson School of Business graduate programs experience from the perspective of current students, faculty and alumni.

Enjoying the view at the Mount Royal Chalet lookout

In recent years, Canada has become a hot spot for earning an MBA and Montreal was named the best student city in the world according to QS 2017 rankings (the city is currently 1^st in North America and 6^th in the world!) All this is reflected in the diversity of the John Molson School of Business’ student body and the satisfaction that students get from studying in Montreal.

This week, we meet Jesus Mondragon, a current John Molson MBA student, to talk about taking the leap and coming to study in Montreal from abroad.

What is your background and why did you want to pursue an MBA?

I was born and raised in Mexico and earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations at Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. After that, I worked for seven years for Grupo Pochteca, a Mexican company dedicated to the distribution of raw materials. I started at an entry-level position and had the opportunity to be in various departments, which allowed me to gain a very good understanding of how the company worked. In my last position, I was responsible for three product lines in one of the most profitable divisions. However, I realized that taking the next step in my professional career would require a stronger knowledge of business; I had acquired a lot of skills by practice, but knew that I had to reinforce these a lot more with an MBA.

What was it about the John Molson School of Business that made you decide to apply?

The emphasis on practical application in the field of what is learned in the classroom was one of the main aspects that caught my attention when I was researching programs at different universities in Canada, the US and Europe. I found the whole curriculum of the MBA program very interesting and up to date with new business trends. I also had a great conversation with one of the John Molson recruiters (Beth McKenna) at The MBA Tour fair in Mexico in 2017; we talked about living in Montreal and the advantages of studying at John Molson. After that conversation, the decision was easy! Passing the GMAT wasn’t as easy though; I had to study for the test while working a full-time job. It was stressful but, fortunately, I passed on my first attempt. I was then accepted into John Molson and started my MBA in Winter 2019.

What has been your experience so far studying in Montreal?

It has been, without any doubts, one of the best experiences of my life. I have enjoyed every day. This city has given me the opportunity to live things I would never be able to in other cities.

When I was choosing a city to live in for the next two years of my life, I thought that it better be a city I identify with. I took a lot of variables into account to compare the different options: safety, environment, music, food, etc. So far, in Montreal I have found what I was looking for.

What are your favourite places to go in Montreal?

The old port is my favorite place in the city. Whenever I feel like talking a walk or just relax, I go to the old port; there is always something going on in that part of the city. I also enjoy walking on Sainte-Catherine Street. Sometimes I just walk down the street and stop to buy an ice cream or a coffee in one of the many available shops. Although it takes some time and physical effort, going to the chalet on Mount Royal is worth it for its incredible view of the city.

What are your favourite things to eat in Montreal?

Poutine has become my favourite food; it is so simple, but at the same time so tasty. I also have the opportunity to try meals from all over the world. Montreal is a very diverse city and you can notice this by the amount of food options available.

What is / are your favourite way(s) to get around in Montreal?

I come from Mexico City, one of the biggest cities in the world, so I know that transportation can be a big issue. I used to drive two to three hours every day just to commute to and from work. In Montreal, it has been a different story; the city is not too big and the public transportation system is very reliable and safe. I use public transportation every day, but I also try to walk and bike as much as possible. Fortunately, the city is very well designed for that.

Seeing my breath with the snow

What is your experience speaking French in a bilingual city?

One of the reasons I decided to come to Montreal was the opportunity to improve my French. I already knew a bit and I think that French is easier to learn when you are a Spanish speaker. It is easy to get by with English, but most people I've tried to speak French with have been very welcoming and kind; they understand that I don't speak it very well and some have helped me improve my pronunciation. Being in an environment where French is spoken has been very beneficial. I realize that, almost unconsciously from the day-to-day, I have expanded my vocabulary.

What has been the hardest part about being away from home and how have you dealt with that?

In the Mexican culture, we tend to have a very strong bond with our families. Being away from my loved ones has been difficult, but I have been able to cope with it using technology. I have video calls with my relatives as often as possible. I also receive messages daily from my friends in Mexico and I make them part of the experiences I live in this city.

When do you expect to graduate and where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I expect to graduate in December 2020. I think everything I am learning in this program is going to help me take my career to a much better level. Networking on and off campus has really opened my eyes to new opportunities. I think that in 5 years I could get into upper management of some company in the distribution industry and perhaps prepare to launch my own business. My first option would be to start a distribution business since I have experience in that field. However, now that my understanding of business is growing to different industries, I could take another route if it seems feasible.

With all these experiences so far, would you recommend the John Molson School of Business to others?

I would definitely recommend John Molson to people who are interested in expanding and improving their skills in business. The diversity of opinions and perspectives you will find in this business school can greatly enrich your career. On top of that, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful cities I've ever known!