*formerly posted on "Welcome, International Students!" blog
Looking at the calendar today, I realized that my grad school experience began 4 years ago. On June 26, 2008, my parents and I loaded my belongings into our vehicles and drove across the Ohio Turnpike to Bowling Green, Ohio. This was just 2 days after I had finished working at my job. While I enjoyed working with my co-workers and learning about business, law, and medicine while also watching Cleveland's major sports teams have strong years in 2007 and early 2008, I knew that the next step in my life was to head to b-school for my MBA degree. To advance in my career and my life, this was the next step.
The next day was our MBA orientation day. What a blast that day was! It was amazing seeing everyone mark on the map where they were from in the United States and across the world. As we introduced ourselves, people made comments and asked questions. Some classmates who had attended our school or were from the Bowling Green/Toledo area offered advice and help to other classmates. As we left the classroom to take a class picture and eat lunch, conversations continued regarding the history and legacies of the city and university. That night, the soon-to-be graduating MBA class hosted us for a get-together to continue socializing and getting to know each other.
Looking beyond that day, in pursuing graduate studies, we knew that we might finish and return to our hometowns. Or, we might finish and start the next phases of our lives in Northwest Ohio or other places across the world. Either way, the pursuit of the MBA degree would be a stepping stone for us in our careers and our lives.
As an MBA alumnus in 2012, I experience situations in which my MBA education helps me--this happens basically every day. Yet, I know in my career and in my life, I can continue to build on these experiences, wisdom, and knowledge.
The decision to choose a new school or new city is a long-term decision that makes a permanent mark on one's life. To all of you out there, whether reminiscing about past studies or pondering moving from one part of the world to another part of the world for your education, career, and life, cherish these times. Embrace the lessons you learn. Learn and apply. Learn and grow. Be brave. Be willing to make sacrifices. Pursue your hopes and dreams. Do good in this world. Help others. Be yourself and offer your talents, skills, brainpower, will power, and compassion to your communities.
I enjoyed this reflection time and hope you enjoyed my story. I also hope to hear your stories, past, present, and future. Best regards!
Looking at the calendar today, I realized that my grad school experience began 4 years ago. On June 26, 2008, my parents and I loaded my belongings into our vehicles and drove across the Ohio Turnpike to Bowling Green, Ohio. This was just 2 days after I had finished working at my job. While I enjoyed working with my co-workers and learning about business, law, and medicine while also watching Cleveland's major sports teams have strong years in 2007 and early 2008, I knew that the next step in my life was to head to b-school for my MBA degree. To advance in my career and my life, this was the next step.
The next day was our MBA orientation day. What a blast that day was! It was amazing seeing everyone mark on the map where they were from in the United States and across the world. As we introduced ourselves, people made comments and asked questions. Some classmates who had attended our school or were from the Bowling Green/Toledo area offered advice and help to other classmates. As we left the classroom to take a class picture and eat lunch, conversations continued regarding the history and legacies of the city and university. That night, the soon-to-be graduating MBA class hosted us for a get-together to continue socializing and getting to know each other.
Looking beyond that day, in pursuing graduate studies, we knew that we might finish and return to our hometowns. Or, we might finish and start the next phases of our lives in Northwest Ohio or other places across the world. Either way, the pursuit of the MBA degree would be a stepping stone for us in our careers and our lives.
As an MBA alumnus in 2012, I experience situations in which my MBA education helps me--this happens basically every day. Yet, I know in my career and in my life, I can continue to build on these experiences, wisdom, and knowledge.
The decision to choose a new school or new city is a long-term decision that makes a permanent mark on one's life. To all of you out there, whether reminiscing about past studies or pondering moving from one part of the world to another part of the world for your education, career, and life, cherish these times. Embrace the lessons you learn. Learn and apply. Learn and grow. Be brave. Be willing to make sacrifices. Pursue your hopes and dreams. Do good in this world. Help others. Be yourself and offer your talents, skills, brainpower, will power, and compassion to your communities.
I enjoyed this reflection time and hope you enjoyed my story. I also hope to hear your stories, past, present, and future. Best regards!