Moments of Fall in Chapel Hill

As I near the end of my second year at business school, I captured the moments of the fall season through the lens – see below!

The colors of leaves seemed shimmering with tints of red, yellow and colors in between, and the roads laid with the bed of leaves forming a soft carpet cover. The somber sky with changing shades of blue and white cleared the dust with rain, and the growing cold seeped in through the skin. All of this would keep the memories of Chapel Hill alive.

As I took a trip around the campus, the wet walls bearing the history of so many graduating classes made me feel nostalgic as we the MBA class of ‘09 tread to carve another chapter on it. The last few days had to be made as enjoyable as possible.

The first step was joining in for an all women’s lunch at Weathervane and celebrating two years filled with the moments of laughter, glory, failure, despair and unleashed fun. The next step was cheering away with the crowd as we beat Georgia Tech in Football. The hum of the crowd, the beating drums and the colorful parade, the smell of pizza, sandwiches and sweet success penetrated through the stadium as the teams tangled in the fight and we scored touchdowns. The homecoming crowning was fun to watch.

The last celebration to fall was a trip to the Smoky Mountains (a five hour drive from Chapel Hill) with blaring music, the beauty of the fall colors in the foothills and the contrasting snow at the Clingman’s Dome. It would be a fun filled weekend to remember forever.

Trisha

The No Blame Game

It is like those long winter months that give you terrible mood swings every day. Crumbling markets seems to mimic the dry winter. Any discussion in class, at cafeteria, in a bar on Franklin Street or even while building the roof for Habitat for Humanity house ends up in counting the points that Dow Jones lost, and evaluating its ‘so what’ (Ask any student taking Consulting Frameworks class). The behavior is atypical as a response to the market fever.

When I came to business school, I had no clue about how tough it could get. Earning higher than average salaries, spending evenings at good restaurants, going for movies and shopping at premium malls, I had not envisioned the consequences of my next step and what it would offer during the forthcoming two years.

Initially it was to be accommodative of the art of SCHMOOZING which I gradually became fair at (my personality type does not excel in this). It is more beyond brains; it is the art of showcasing the right mix of brains and the dynamic and motivated self of yours with list of achievements trailing and wailing behind you. It should portray that you have the capabilities to be the next Jack Welch, Carly Fiorina, or Indra K. Nooyi.

Next roadblock was to work on charting out the effect of porter five forces on the “RESUME “. The companies seemed to have lost the appetite for IQ&EQ, and started focusing on GQ (“GMAT Quotient”– with no offense to friends who bagged extraordinarily high scores). When I finally managed to land up with an internship crafting my way out around these with a stellar resume walk (it’s how well you can hide the nervousness that goes behind it)… … The markets just had to CRUMBLE.

Now I can’t blame it to the companies, or my GMAT, or my grades, or my personality type…… So it inevitably goes to IT’S ALL CURRENT MARKET!!!!

Trisha Srivastava

Glimpse of Asia Night

Posted by : Trisha

Every year the ‘International Business Association’ encourages students at Kenan-Flagler to showcase the cultures and traditions of the international community at Asia Night. Beginning with splendid exotic delicacies from countries like China, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand and India, the night ensues to some equally exquisite cultural performances. The range varies from dance, drama to musical pieces, not to mention the vibrant spirits of the performers.

This year I got a chance to witness the humdrum from close quarters including performing on the stage. The venue was reflecting with the traditional colorful garbs of International representation. The colors, the music and applauds of the audience resonated through the auditorium as the night grew younger. The evening was the grand finale of an exhaustive preparation that continued for more than 10 days with every student draining the last drop to ensure a rich and unforgettable experience for the audience. The décor and the food was carefully selected to be the gastronomic ambassador of the countries.

As the clock kept ticking, the music grew louder and the tempo scaled higher with the rising drumbeats of the Michael Jackson thriller, and the Indian fusion dance, to a name a few. It was a night which portrayed the global nature and cultural diversity of the Kenan-Flagler Business School, and the spirit it fosters to this collaboration. Thanks to the performers for their sincere efforts, the authorities at school for encouraging such events, the IBA for making it happen, and all students for being a great and appreciative audience!!!!!

Excerpts from some of the performers:

This performance from China is called AMIZI, a traditional Yi fork dance originating from the ethnic groups in the southwest of China. The pleasurable music, brisk rhythm, and happy girls dancing, with their colorful skirts, will bring you a cheerful, emotion, and bright experience -Lisa Yuan

Fusion dance from India – Representation of the variety in Indian movie industry that churns out 1500 movies a year with a fanfare of themes, music and dance.

Our performance reflects the most popular traditional dance called “Ram Wong”. The dance originated in the central region during World War II to protect Thai folk dance from the western culture influences. – Paranee Hansakul (Jan)

“Japanese Business School” – A graduate from US University suffers from the Japanese business manner. We danced the business manner exercise which is popular in Japanese offices. This exercise is more important for Japanese students than our KFBS finance class.
- Mitsutaka Shiota (Mitch)

Wonderful Getaway

 

Posted By : Trisha

One of the ‘opportunities’ for Premier Fellows is the invitation to the ‘Retreat Program’ which is a great getaway from the daily hustle bustle of the business school after an exasperating mod I and II and not to forget the internship search process.
 
This year the Retreat was held at the pristine Governor’s Club, a visual delight in itself. The time I spent helped me in rejuvenating myself both physically and mentally. While providing some food for thought through the introspection of what I am headed for in the long run, it was also a great opportunity to know more about some of my classmates and their experiences. It was a revelation of the unique attributes, perceptions and x-factors that drives them and makes them the successful individual they are.

Whether it is strong focus, or the determination to take on a challenge or just living life king-size, the motley of emotions is something I could relate to it having gone through them at some phase of my own life. To honor our philosophical quests by keeping our stomach full (as they say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach) , we were served delicious food at the mentor’s place. Thanks to Alexandra and Croft, our morning fitness runs ensured that all the extra calories were shed and we were back to the shapes we arrived in.
 
The two day session on defining and clear outlining of goals and aspirations in life definitely intrigued me and even forced a think-only-if-I-have-to person like me to sit up and notice what I was doing. And definitely followed by a lot of learning tips from the basketball fans (Game courtesy: Virginia Tech vs. Tar Heels ), I emerged a lot more learned from the Retreat .
Thanks!

Unity in Diversity

Posted by Trisha.

There are so many things that you can talk about when asked about Kenan-Flagler. One of the top reasons I chose to be here was because of the incredible diversity of the class. I knew I could learn the most when I could share my thoughts with friends from far and beyond, an experience that is unparalleled.

The past 8 months have been the most amazing time. I have made friends from places I had just read about. I have enhanced my knowledge of their culture, traditions and economic issues (I tend to bring my ‘business self’ back every time I am swayed by a literary draft). I vividly recall answering hundreds of questions about India while manning a stall at the International Food Festival held here. I guess the curiosity about the place and its rising stature as a noteworthy economic force has been the reason that India is a ‘hot destination’ for GIE (Global Immersion Elective – A Kenan-Flagler term for a few weeks abroad to a few countries to observe business in those places and click some exotic snaps).

I look forward to go to the school each day and talk to my friends and classmates because I feel welcome, I feel I belong here and I know I am being heard (even if I am wrong). It is the feeling of solidarity that I see when I shout ‘Go Heels’ with the rest of the school and the university. This is the sort of interaction that completes my search for a perfect business school.