Vilani Perera
PMBA '24
Hometown: Colombo
Home State: NA
Home Country: Sri Lanka
Undergraduate Institution: University of Houston
Undergraduate Degree and Major: Kinesiology
Desired industry post-MBA: Finance
Desired job function post-MBA: Banker Team Lead
Student Organization Membership:
- Forte
- Rice Business Women's Organization
What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA experience?
How little sleep I need in order to function! This experience has been a testament to time management. You seriously can do it all but planning is key. The weeks that I do not have a solid plan have been my most difficult weeks.
What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience so far?
My classmates! The different experiences and backgrounds are so intriguing and I’m learning so much from them. The best part is that when you put such a diverse group of people through hardship (PMBA) together, absolute magic happens. I have found life long friends in my short time here!
What do you LOVE most about Houston?
The weather, who doesn’t like dressing for all 4 seasons in one day? Jokes aside, I love the food and culture Houston has to offer. I don’t realize that I miss this until I leave Houston. We have the best food and culture in the country. The little mom and pop stores in Chinatown offer some of the best eats outside of Asia while Hilcroft has the best homemade Indian food. I could go on but this is what makes Houston a home away from home.
What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective student?
Be yourself, that is enough.