Deji Amund on Becoming An EMBA “Boothie” During A Global Pandemic
Deji has followed in the footsteps of some of the world’s leading business leaders in becoming a graduate of the Chicago Booth EMBA program in London. A former Senior Compliance Manager, Deji took the career-changing step to join the program in 2020 but was faced with the difficult task of balancing work, studies, and family all during the global pandemic. Lendwise is proud to have supported Deji in his life-changing EMBA journey – helping him achieve his goals and soar higher and higher!
What was your experience with the Lendwise application?
My journey began with getting admission into my EMBA program at Chicago Booth. This of course led me to think about how I was going to fund the program. With my ongoing financial obligations and responsibilities, I was worried about losing this opportunity or being forced to put it on hold until I was clear on how to fund the program. During a Chicago Booth event in Lagos, Nigeria, I met a current student at the time who provided vital information about funding options which led me to Lendwise. This was the most important piece of information in my funding journey, given that other lending providers I had considered chose not to progress with my application.
From that point forward, getting the information required for my application was straightforward. I had several questions and unique circumstances; one was being based in Nigeria and the other was unable to travel due to the global pandemic. The Lendwise team was very flexible, understanding, and easy to reach. Given I couldn’t be physically present in London to sign any documents – they made some changes to the process to accommodate my unique circumstances and ensured I had a great experience.
In summary, the process was flexible, supportive, and clear. I also got advice about how to structure my application so I wouldn’t incur additional charges. This gave the impression that Lendwise was very supportive of my objective and not just about making a profit.
What did you like and dislike about your EMBA at Chicago Booth?
I completed the Executive MBA (EMBA) program at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. It is a global program with campuses based in Chicago, London, and Hong Kong. Given that I live and work in Nigeria, I opted for the London campus as it was easier to commute. What attracted me to Chicago Booth was the world-class faculty. They’re a global and diverse cohort with touchpoints across America, Asia, and Europe with a flexible program structure.
I was impressed by how responsive the school was to the many challenges the global pandemic brought our way. Despite being stretched by balancing work, studies and family, I did not dislike the program at all. I saw the willingness and flexibility of the program directors and faculty to help us experience the program to its fullest.
How did the Lendwise loan help you?
Completing one of the world’s best EMBA programs comes with a heavy price tag. In addition to frequent travelling, I knew that my savings could not cover all these expenses. Lendwise was essential in closing this gap. They provided me with the required cushion to ensure I was not unduly stretched and stressed financially.
With the finances sorted out early in the program, allowed me to focus effectively on my studies. In turn, this helped create the best network of friends from around the world. Lendwise was a crucial element to successfully graduating with honours.
Is your current role related to your EMBA program?
One of the reasons why I wanted to do an EMBA was to be able to pivot in my career. Before the program, I worked in compliance within financial services. Later I switched to a partnerships role where I drove and managed strategic partnerships with key ecosystem players. The EMBA program prepared me in many ways to identify and explore new opportunities, which has informed my most recent pivot into the fintech/tech space. The conversation I had with the alumni at a Chicago Booth event in Lagos has shaped the past two years of my career.
Would you recommend Lendwise?
I have already recommended Lendwise* to many people. A few of them reached out through LinkedIn asking how I funded the program, particularly while living and working in Nigeria. Unfortunately, not all the required information is readily available online. The direct interaction with the Lendwise team has helped fill in the missing link. I will continue to recommend Lendwise given my experience and how pivotal it was in completing my program.
Representative Example: Assumed borrowing of £30,825 over 120 months at 12.73% APR representative. Monthly cost of £509.26. Total amount repayable of £61,199.65. Interest rate of 11.62% p.a.(fixed) and total fees of £925.00. Available for loan amounts between £5,000 – £100,000.
(Representative Example date: October 2024)
*Credit is subject to status and loan approval is not guaranteed. Over 18’s only. Terms and conditions apply.
