"I knew the ways of Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and the Anglo-Saxons, but I didn't know so much about the Latin culture. They settled first in Croatia, and then, in response to letters of appeal, were accepted as refugees in Sweden -"the most tolerant country I have ever encountered". He learnt Swedish in less than a year, and has shown the same flair for learning at the International University of Monaco, where he graduated top of his MBA class with honours.Muminovic, 27, has worked in Bosnia, Sweden, Iceland and Holland "I wanted an international business career," he says. Meanwhile, she intends to pick up her heels and keep fit with claquette (tap-dancing).Few students exemplify the internationalism of the MBA more clearly than Alem Muminovic, who in 1992, at the age of 13, left war-torn Bosnia with his family. I wanted a return to corporate life."The course at ENPC, in the centre of Paris, was the answer. Lim is currently doing an internship and enjoying it; eventually she would like to start her own business. Before the MBA, she worked hard to develop her conference interpreting business, growing it from three to 15 people "But then I felt a need to see how far I could go.

So I've held parties, happy hours and picnics by the Seine.She has also created a non-profit association to help poor Asian women through the minefield of Parisian bureaucracy, a project that grew out of her early work translating for newly arrived immigrants. She is also the main liaison person between the staff and the student body.She has worked and lived on three continents and speaks five languages, so she has been able to help other international students to integrate into the course and adapt to French living.Twenty nationalities are represented on the ENPC MBA "The French are very individualistic," says Lim "And they tend not to socialise after work. Intransigent where her principles are at stake, she can also fight for what she believes is right from a moral or ethical standpoint."She herself is more modest: "I think it's my Asian upbringing I don't like conflicts and I always try to resolve them. It's true that I can fight for what is right, but I try to do it in a nice way. I can be hard, but not unscrupulous."Lim comes from Singapore but has been in France for 11 years.

It was a combination of her language and leadership skills that led her to be Student Council president, organising events on and off campus, including networking and social activities. It's definitely been worth it."Eunice Lim's academic standing, amiable disposition and sense of humour, endeared her sufficiently to Professor Tawfik Jelassi, dean of the ENPC School of International Management in Paris, for him to put her name forward. "A born moderator, she is gifted at calming spirits and motivating people to work together in difficult situations," the college says. "She has been instrumental in creating a positive and constructive class spirit. "We have made financial sacrifices, but it's something I really wanted to do.

Now, he is an ordained pastor and trained counsellor, and has been helping at advice centres for young people in Strathclyde. He has also discovered football, and supports Glasgow Rangers."I'm married with two daughters and the MBA is a huge step for us as a family," he says. His networking has led to promises of projects and career placements, and future students will be encouraged to take it forward. The college is particularly complimentary about his willingness to share his contacts with other students."Instead of complaining about things, it is better to take a proactive step," he says. His strong belief in an individual's capacity for change springs from personal experience. As a teenager he was running into trouble, but "a dramatic encounter" led him to the Anglican church. Businesses would realise what talent and skills were available within their reach, and students would find out how local industries operate and what opportunities they could actually explore."It worked.

Bellamkonda and his colleagues have hosted forums and lunches for diplomats as well as business leaders and HR directors. A full-time student, he comes from Bangalore and has proved to be an enthusiastic team player, initiating events for the benefit of students, the school and industry and at all time flying the flag for the MBA.He created and developed the Strathclyde Business Forum (SBF), a student-led initiative to create dialogue between MBA students and businesses, which has also functioned as a team-building activity for his classmates."Coming to Britain is very challenging for students looking for careers after their MBAs," he says. "We recognised that if we could provide a platform where students could interact with local industry it would benefit all of us. "In particular, we were pleased to see an increase in the diversity of business schools entering students for the competition.