Introduction from pals led to masters for UAE manager

Jamar Johnson won a merit-based scholarship for a part time MBA which he will complete alongside his full-time job, flying every six weeks to Madrid.

Peter Davos advises Jamar Johnson on scholarship essays for IE Business School in Madrid.
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DUBAI // After two years in the UAE, Jamar Johnson decided it was time to continue his education.

The 26-year-old real estate manager for the Al Habtoor Group from Chicago approached Peter Davos after first meeting him through friends. He asked him for help in deciding where to study for a master's of business administration.

"Judging from his past success and his character, I trusted him as my first-ever educational consultant. Of course, I also had a practical need," said Mr Johnson.

Mr Johnson ended up with offers from several top schools, including Said Business School at Oxford University in the UK, Carey School of Business, part of the US based Johns Hopkins University, the UK's Manchester Business School and IE Business School in Madrid.

He chose the IE Business School, "due to the close-knit community they foster with their students' and faculty along with the networking opportunities that arise when attending a top-ranked business school".

After being accepted into IE Business School, Mr Johnson wanted to apply for competitive scholarship funding to help mitigate the cost of the MBA.

"Given my diverse work experience, I wanted consultation of how to put my best foot forward to the scholarships committee," he said.

With Mr Davos's help with the application, Mr Johnson won a merit- based scholarship for the part time MBA which he will complete alongside his full-time job, flying every six weeks to Madrid.