When I decided to pursue my International MBA at EADA Business School in Barcelona, I knew I would be exposed to new ideas, cultures, and opportunities. However, I didn’t realize just how quickly the world would come to me.
As part of my International MBA, I attended global events such as the Mobile World Congress (MWC), one of the world’s largest technology and connectivity events, and 4YFN, a startup-focused platform where entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators come together to shape the future of business. These experiences helped me connect classroom learning with real-world business dynamics and industry leaders.
It was a deep dive into cutting-edge innovation, where technology, business, and human connections came together.
From the moment I stepped into the venue, I was blown away by the passion of the speakers, who were discussing future trends, their new ventures, and their commitment to create a meaningful impact in society through innovation.
One of the most valuable aspects of this immersion was seeing how rapidly technology is evolving, from advances in connectivity to creative approaches to product design. I was particularly struck by the development of wearable technologies, such as new models of earbuds shaped like earrings, which blur the line between fashion and functionality. This reflects a broader shift towards ‘invisible technology’ products designed to integrate seamlessly into daily life, which will reshape how companies think about user experience and branding.
Beyond the technology, what really made this journey meaningful were the people.
In a moment as unexpected as it was rewarding, I had the opportunity to reconnect with companies that had been my clients in Peru. Being in Barcelona, having conversations that linked my past professional experience with my current MBA studies, made me realize just how truly interconnected the world is. These encounters were not only nostalgic but they reinforced how global business networks evolve over time and how relationships built in one context can resurface in entirely new markets.
In addition, I learned about new initiatives like Accesibles, a company focused on creating more inclusive environments through technology. Companies like this, which prioritize the user from the very outset of their design process, highlight the importance of inclusive design in technology.
At the same time, the connections focused on sharing ideas, backgrounds, perspectives, and above all, our aspirations for the future of technology in society. Every conversation had the potential to lead to a future collaboration, a new opportunity, or simply a different way of understanding the world.
This exposure left me with three key takeaways:
- Innovation creates value when it improves everyday life. Attending MWC and 4YFN showed me that digital transformation isn’t just about advanced technology, but about making solutions accessible, simple, practical and designed around people’s real needs.
- Networking is about long-term relationships. Reconnecting in Barcelona with former clients from Peru reminded me that professional relationships can transcend borders, industries and time. Strong networks are built over years, not in one conversation.
- MBA Learning goes far beyond the classroom. These experiences allowed me to connect academic concepts with real-world business challenges, emerging global trends, and entrepreneurial ecosystems in a way that textbooks alone cannot provide.
More than anything, this experience reminded me that some of the most valuable learning moments happen outside traditional environments, when ideas, people, and opportunities intersect unexpectedly.
Author
Luis Carlos Cabana
Participant International MBA 2025-2026