How did you decide to move away from home/family to do MBA?

[flexed]

This is a bit of a random question, but thought I'd throw it out there to see if anyone has any thoughts.

I'm a Canadian contemplating moving to the US to do my MBA (and pursue employment opportunities afterwards). I'm very close with my family, and I think that's the biggest thing holding me back right now - the decision to move away to another country (on a fairly indefinite basis).

So to all of you who have been in this position before, or are in a similar situation right now, how did you make your decision to move away and start fresh? Or conversely, for those of you who ultimately decided that family (or friends or comfort level, whatever the case may be) was important enough to hold you back, and was a strong enough factor to convince you to pursue MBA studies closer to home, do you regret your decision? Do you wish you'd have taken the risk and moved away further to pursue your studies?

What other factors do you consider when deciding on geographical region for 1) MBA studies and 2) post-MBA employment? (mainly in regards to the home vs move away debate)

[PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal]

Before my MBA, I decided to take advantage of a work opportunity in Europe and stayed for three to four years. It was a tough decision given how close I am to my brothers and friends. But it was the best decision I ever made, as I became much more independent and brave about the rest of my course. Now, after some years, family may indeed draw you back, and that for me was legitimate and real. I finished my MBA at HBS and have worked in the US since. I have no interest in working abroad again, or so I think now, but that time away--anonymous, less self-critical, exploring--was worth the anxiety of leaving the nest.

You can have a very transformative experience at a US MBA program. Your classmates at a top school can be a real high in terms of their energy, bravado and breadth of thinking. I grew a lot during my time, becoming a much more confident public speaker and analyzer.

Good luck!

[myEssayReview]

It is my understanding that getting out of comfort zone is essential to a person's overall growth.( I did that when I moved from India to the US, and I have grown immensely during these 11 years.)A change can be a little daunting in the beginning, but it always turns out to be rewarding in the end.I don't see why you should not move out of your nest and spread your wings here in the US.

Trust me, your family is so close to the US that you would not even feel you are away from them because you can always go meet them .Leaving your home in Canada for MBA in the US will definitely be worth your while. I have worked with applicants who have happily moved from India for their MBA in the top B- schools in the US.

I hope it helped.

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Poonam

[machichi]

I live in California and my entire family lives in New York. The thing that helps me is knowing I can decide to move whenever I want. If you move to the US, get an MBA, and decide to work here for a few years, and then just can't stand the distance anymore--move back! This is your life, so take risks knowing that in actuality the choices are only as permanent as you want them to be!