Balancing Parenthood and an MBA: Mun Ting’s Journey at emlyon
When Mun Ting moved to Lyon in July 2023 with her spouse and two young children, returning to education was far from her mind.
But living just 20 minutes away from emlyon business school slowly brought an old ambition back into focus.
“I felt like it was a sign,” she says. “I finally picked up the courage to pursue my MBA.”
From education to startups and back again
Mun Ting was born in Singapore and grew up in Penang, Malaysia. After high school, she received a Malaysian government scholarship to study education, specialising in teaching English as a second language. Part of her degree took her to Brisbane, Australia, before she returned to Malaysia to teach in a Chinese vernacular primary school.
Alongside this teaching role, she completed a master’s degree in education. After a brief relocation to Sydney for her spouse’s job, Mun Ting returned to Kuala Lumpur to teach.
During the next two years, she became increasingly involved in the capital’s startup scene, which eventually inspired her to leave teaching and take on a role as programme manager at the country’s largest makerspace.
“It was the place where I found my passion,” she says. “The work was fuelled by people who really cared about society and the environment.”
The next few years were turbulent for Mun Ting. She lost her first role due to an economic recession before securing another at a non-profit that focused on leadership in public schools. While there, the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and she became pregnant with her first child.
“It was one of the most unforgettable periods of my life,” she says.
Mun Ting then stepped away from work to care for her father during cancer treatment, before welcoming her second child. A year later, the family relocated to France, and the idea of an MBA returned.
Why an MBA, and why emlyon?
For Mun Ting, the motivation to pursue an MBA had been building for years. While teaching, she had explored opportunities with international organisations such as the United Nations but often found her academic background limiting. Later, in the startup and non-profit sectors, she became aware of gaps in her business knowledge.
“I often found that I lacked some basic business acumen, which I believed could take me further,” she explains.
Although Mun Ting had considered an MBA years earlier, options in Malaysia were limited; Lyon felt different.
“What stood out to me about emlyon was the makers spirit,” she explains. “I’m very enthusiastic about the startup ecosystem, so it felt like the right fit.”
Equally important was the school’s culture. “The inclusivity and diversity gave me confidence that I would be supported as a mother returning to study,” she adds.
Life on the IMBA
These days, Mun Ting’s weekdays are tightly organised. She wakes around 6am to get herself and her children ready for the day, before the family heads out by 8am. After school drop-off, she heads to campus to study at before classes begin.
Classes typically run until early evening. Once home, the focus shifts back to family life: dinner, bedtime routines, and time with her children. Study resumes later in the evening, before she switches off devices by 9:30pm for a 10pm bedtime.
“That last half hour is important,” she says. “It’s time to check in with my spouse and talk about our day.”
Adjusting expectations
One of the biggest challenges of the International MBA has been accepting limits. A self-described perfectionist, Mun Ting admits that parenthood has forced her to redefine what “doing your best” means.
“There were weeks where it felt defeating not to be able to put in the same hours as my classmates,” she says. “But I realised that if I tried to do that, I would burn myself out.”
Over time, she learned that progress doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.
“I’m in a different life situation from the others, and I made peace with ‘my best’ at this current state.”
She has been supported throughout this adjustment both at home and within the IMBA.
“My classmates are incredibly understanding,” she says. “If I can only take a call after 8pm, they adapt. They check in on me. That support really matters.”
How parenthood shapes her experience
Mun Ting believes parenthood has changed how she approaches teamwork and leadership. She feels more confident speaking up, more empathetic, and more decisive.
“As a parent, you don’t get bogged down by minor details,” she says. “You focus on what matters and get things done.”
That mindset has helped her plan ahead during group projects and anticipate challenges before they arise.
Looking ahead
In the long term, Mun Ting hopes to work in the startup ecosystem or with international organisations focused on sustainability and social impact. Eventually, she plans to return to Malaysia and contribute to its development using the skills gained during the MBA.
Her biggest lesson from the MBA? Letting go.
“When I let go of imperfections, I’m less stressed and happier,” she says. “That’s when I feel like I’m doing my best—as a student, and as a parent.”