A trip to Europe and a new semester

“In order to pursue leadership positions beyond the creative realm, I need a broader understanding of how companies operate. Part of this involves gaining the necessary quantitative and general business management foundation that I have had only a limited, informal exposure to.”

This is from my application essay last year to Kenan-Flager. My case for admission at the time was pretty straight-forward: with no formal business background, I sought the fundamental quantitative skills, knowledge, and network that were critical to successfully starting and growing my own business. It’s safe to say that after only a semester at UNC — one that has included ten courses, including macro and microeconomics, financial tools, corporate finance, business strategy, marketing, operations, statistics, organizational behavior and financial accounting — I’ve taken a big step forward in building that foundation.

It’s been a whirlwind and immersive four months, but one in which I’ve learned a great deal, met some fantastic people and started working toward achieving that post b-school goal. It’s also been an exhausting semester, making my winter break trip to Central and Eastern Europe — a ten-day jaunt to Prague, Czech Republic, Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary — from which I’ve just returned from, a real treat.

Outside the Prague Castle, Prague, Czech Republic

Inside the Grand Hall of the National Library, Vienna, Austria

At the Széchenyi Thermal Baths, Budapest, Hungary

This trip was another opportunity to see life outside the bubble. But it was also fascinating to travel after having gone through the core at UNC. I’ve started seeing the world differently; my decision-making process, really the way I think about business more broadly, has changed. I’m coming to the realization that what I’m learning now, here at Kenan-Flagler, is something that will be with me for the rest of my life.

And that’s made me all the more excited to get back to Chapel Hill and kick off my second semester of business school.

- Marc