Making the decision to study for a master's degree abroad was not an easy task. Especially if we consider that it entails some sacrifices such as the distance from your family, friends, and country. At the same time, it also invites us to face new and exciting challenges such as a different culture, climate, and language and maybe even to return to study after a long time. 

However, there are many reasons to make this decision. For example, we are looking to learn new skills and change the focus of our career or the industry in which we work. Likewise, we may embark on this journey to jump-start our careers by strengthening our competencies. We could also look for opportunities to learn from an international community of students, faculty, and alumni of diverse experiences, cultures, and skills.   In my case, it was a combination of all these reasons! 

After deciding to study a master's degree abroad, a new stage of research and exploration arises that invites us to answer two important questions: what we are looking for in a master's degree and how to decide which master's degree is best suited to our ideals?  The answer to the first question is variable and depends on everyone. In particular - what I was looking for - and what I found in Rotman's MMA - was a program where I could learn to generate value by applying the technical knowledge of analytics and AI to different real business cases. 

With respect to the second question, it is crucial to be able to identify the criteria that we consider most important for evaluating a master's degree. With these criteria in mind, the next step is to be able to research different programs, evaluate them and rank them accordingly. For me, there were five important criteria: 1) curriculum (the courses to be covered and the combination of technical and business focus), 2) practical experience (the possibility to do internships or work on consulting projects with companies), 3) ranking of the university and the program, 4) time, and 5) return on your investment in the master's degree. 

Additionally, after these seven months at Rotman, I have learned about three other aspects of the master's program that I really liked and that I would add as additional criteria: support from the program services team, support from the career services team and the value of being able to network. 

So, after going through this process of deciding to study a master's degree abroad, identifying what I was looking for in this master's degree, and evaluating different programs according to the criteria I had defined, I decided to choose the MMA at Rotman.  This decision was based on four important components: a curriculum focused on both technical aspects of AI and analytics and business applications, a diverse and engaging community, discussions on important and recent trends in AI and analytics in the Colloquia, and the possibility to participate in interesting events, panels, industry nights and clubs at Rotman.  Finally, I feel I made the right decision with the MMA and I am excited for this last term where we will continue to share with the Rotman community and apply the concepts learned to practical cases in marketing, supply chain, and the service industry. 

The Master of Management Analytics is designed to give students the advanced data management, analytics, and communication skills needed to become an analytics professional