A few months ago, I started sharing my big dream of joining the Berkeley Haas Global Access Program (BHGAP).

For me, Haas symbolized something deeply meaningful: a place where questioning the status quo.

I come from a country, where global opportunities are rare and the idea of “success” often feels already written for you. Moving to France, earning my degrees, and building a new life made me rethink what “normal” should mean for someone like me.

I’m proud to be the daughter of two university professors—my dad holds a PhD in Mathematics, and my mom in Economics. They both studied in Madagascar and France, and from them I learned the value of education and perseverance. But even with that background, I’ve often wondered: does it really matter here, in the Western world? When I mention Madagascar, people usually picture poverty or neglect. But is that really all it means?

For years, I tried hard to fit in. I softened my accent, stopped speaking my language, even avoided other Malagasy people, all just to feel accepted. Eventually, I realized how ridiculous and wrong that was. My roots aren’t something to hide. They’re the reason I’ve come this far. The poor mindset was believing I had to erase where I came from to succeed.

Greatness can’t just be measured by money. My income might be low, but I’m rich in experience, knowledge, and resilience. I’ve learned to turn challenges into growth and limitations into drive. And I wanted to bring that to Haas…

I still believe I would belong there.

But sometimes, the path to a dream has more turns than you expect.

The truth is, getting admitted to Berkeley Haas was never the part that scared me most—it was the visa and the funding. Tuition, insurance, housing, and moving costs are incredibly high.

And despite my determination and plans, I’ve realized that raising that amount of money in time might simply not be realistic. It hurts to say that. But it also feels… honest.

So instead of letting that truth breaks me, I’ve decided to pivot—just like I would in any product strategy.

I’m now focusing on enrolling in UC Berkeley Extension, which offers high-quality programs within reach financially and logistically.

It’s not a step down. It’s a step that fits.

I’ll still learn from the same incredible community. But I’ll be doing it in a way that aligns with where I am today.

This moment is another lesson: that dreams can evolve without disappearing.

I’m still the same big dreamer from Madagascar who is French certified. And yet I live the dream!

That said, I’m still searching for a Product Owner position. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve applied, and maybe that’s a good thing—because every try is part of the journey, not the measure of it.