This will be oue last collective
summer post! We’re all here, orientation starts today, we’ve met a bunch of
classmates, socialized and found out as much as we possibly could about what’s
going to be happening to us for the next two years. We all have different first
impressions but here is how we are seeing things today.
(source)
Kyle Forrest: This is
one of the best decisions I’ve ever made personally. When I first began
thinking about an MBA, I originally thought part-time would be the way to go -
let’s face it, as Dwight said in the previous group post, not having a salary
is a big change, and the two year MBA experience can be quite expensive.
However, in the 6 weeks I’ve spent in Los Angeles before orientation started,
I’ve been able to get to know my classmates in a way that I never would have
been able to do in a part-time program. The relationships are already more
meaningful, and I can’t wait to see how things turn out after the next two
years with everyone!
Gregory Paige: Pressing
the pause button on a career is a significant risk for most people. I certainly
fit into that group. But here we are at the start of Orientation, and I can
already tell that Anderson will prove to be one of the best decisions of my
life. You’ve heard it before, and I’ll say it again: It’s all about the people.
My classmates have arrived from all over the country and across the globe. From
every industry imaginable. And with all types of personal and career
aspirations. I feel privileged to have access to such a variety of minds and
experiences. Ultimately I’m not hitting pause on my career, I’m upgrading from
DVD to Blu-ray!
Ashley Mallinson: I have
been incredibly impressed with my future classmates, Anderson and Los Angeles.
I knew that business school was the right decision for me personally and fell
in love with Anderson as early as my first campus visit, and so far the
experience has surpassed my expectations in every way. I truly could not have
imagined being this happy with all the dramatic changes that have taken place
in my life over the last two weeks. Based on my experience so far, it is truly
the people at Anderson that make the school exceptional and set the entire
experience apart. It is incredible to be surrounded by such a friendly,
intelligent, open-minded group of people who are each individually outstanding
in unique ways. I am beyond excited to see what we, as a collaborative group,
are capable of. I feel confident that I am starting a new chapter of my life
with new allies, realistic goals and no limits!
Alejandra Rodriguez: It
has been as awesome as I thought it would be! I had the opportunity to talk
with a lot of my classmates before even coming to Los Angeles so I already knew
the kind of fantastic people I was going to share my next two years with and
let me tell you I was not disappointed! It has also been surprisingly easy for
me to adapt to living in a new country and I believe it is because my new
friends have been keeping company and helping me every step of the way.
Anderson has one of the best communities you will ever find and I am delighted
to be a part of it! I am very much looking forward to the first day of
orientation, which also happens to be my birthday, so expect a post about it
soon!
Dwight Asuncion: Happy
birthday Alejandra! How auspicious! I’m excited to start school again, but I
also have butterflies in my stomach. It’s the first day of school all over
again. I’m sure I’ll be a little nervous again before classes actually begin.
Today I’ll meet everyone in my section and start to build meaningful
relationships with them. That’s what I like about Anderson. Everyone’s in it
together and willing to help each other. We’re at the start of a two-year
journey that hopefully be full of personal and professional growth, and I
couldn’t be happier that I’m at Anderson.
Kate Edwards: The others
bloggers are correct - it is all about the people! Having spent the past two
weeks spending quality funemployment time with my future classmates, I could
not be more impressed with how diverse, ambitious, and thoughtful everyone is.
We have organized trips to the beach, explored Los Angeles, and even attended
our first UCLA football game en masse (Go Bruins!). School hasn’t started yet,
but we are all so eager to get to know each other; I know these will be lasting
friendships. Getting to know these people reminds me that Anderson was the
right choice, and I can honestly say I am just incredibly happy to wake up
every day in Los Angeles knowing I have such an adventure ahead of me.
Ann Ching: Every time I
have started a new school, whether it was junior high, college, or law school,
I’ve always worried whether I’d end up eating lunch alone on the first day.
Sounds weird, but I think that’s where I channel my “real” anxieties about new
people and a new environment. Well, this is the first time I’m not worried
about that, because I already have so many new friends at Anderson. Whether
through Forte Foundation, organized mixers, or informal events, I have met a
lot of my classmates and they are truly exceptional. I heard that what makes
Anderson unique is the incredible sense of community among students and alumni,
and so far I have not been disappointed. I’m starting orientation ready to take
on a new challenge (and have fun at the same time!).
Chris Varin: I just got back from sunset on the Santa Monica beach with 8 of my other new classmates and I had this moment of existential angst as I briefly contemplated what these next two years would bring. I've had a lot of great experiences up till now and while I don't really believe in fatality it all kinf of lead to this new beginning - I guess I did somewhat engineer it. After three weeks of meeting up with classmates before things start I'm completely at ease and looking forward to take the next step. These next two years are going to be special and I'm incredibly fortunate to be here.
Ayushman Jain: Having spent my first fortnight in beautiful LA and
the awesome company of my Anderson classmates, I can truly say that the pre-MBA
experience has taken my expectations to a much higher level, and I’m pretty
sure I’m still underestimating how brilliant the next two years are gonna be.
The social events and even the international students’ orientation were great
opportunities to meet a large number of classmates with such diverse
backgrounds. The best thing is that we blend in very well together,
irrespective of geographical or linguistic boundaries. Everyone has been
immensely helpful even before the program starts and I can already see the
collegial culture building up amongst ourselves. I’ve also got the chance to
interact with people from the Student Affairs Office, Parker CMC as well as the
Financial Aid office and they have been unbelievably courteous and encouraging.
Thats why, even though I know the next 3 months are gonna hit us like a ton of
bricks with all the coursework and job search, I’m totally looking forwarding
to starting the next chapter of my life - the MBA!
-Anderson 14' bloggers
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