The MBA Student Voice

A Canadian's First Week in the US: In N Out Binge 1.0

After a brief hiatus to deal with the many joys of moving to a new country, I thought I would share my thoughts on the first 10 days of life here south of the border (how we Canadians refer to this charming country). It's funny, I've sat through two days of international orientation where I mostly jokingly poked fun at the fact that I'm considered an international student because of the similarities between Canadian and American culture. That said, prior to coming here, I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of adjustment, if in fact there would be much of any. With the exception of my personal belongings still being in transit from Vancouver, I can't imagine a smoother transition to a new home. Sure, I'm sleeping on an air mattress, I don't have a TV yet and I only got Internet at home a few days ago, but none of those factors have made the last 10 days any less awesome.

After a four day trip to the Sierra Nevadas (see pictures below) with a great group of classmates, most of my time has been taking care of bank accounts, putting off accounting assignments, eating excessively and drinking at any hour of the day. Kind of reminds me of my undergraduate days...I have a feeling that may change in the next few days. It seems like every day I'm meeting a dozen great new people, and it's definitely making me more excited about the next couple of years. Highlights from the first week and a half:

1. The people: I've been blown away by how welcoming, friendly and fun the class of 2013 is. I knew culture was a big factor why I picked UCLA Anderson, but I had no idea it would be this good of a fit.

2. Food: Since my cooking accessories haven't arrived yet, it's been much easier to justify eating out almost every meal. In N Out. Mexican food. More In N Out. Target has a food court here? Wild. 

3. Weather: 27 and sunny every day. I'm sticking with Celsius as long as I possibly can. Some locals have said it's been cool at times, but I find the weather perfect pretty much all the time.

4. Traffic: Sure the traffic sucks, but it gives me lots of time to catch up on podcasts and new bands. Glass is always half full.

5. Food Trucks: I have only been to one, but have been kiling time planning routes around where they will be next. Something tells me I won't have time for that a week from now.

A few pictures from my Pre-O trip to Mono Lake and Yosemite:

(The stunning Mono Lake, where we kayaked for a few hours)

(Awesome view of Yosemite Valley from a lookout point in the park)

(On our way up during our Mono Pass hike…not too shabby)

 

Until next time,

 

E

 

Westbound and Down (except I'm not down)

By the time this post is up, I will be three days away from making my move to California. I have packed up and left Vancouver, having enjoyed my final weeks with not only the many close friends I have made there, but my girlfriend who will be staying in Vancouver for now while I begin the MBA journey. (I get to have a home in LA and Vancouver - awesome!) It has been an emotional few weeks, and tomorrow I will be celebrating my sisters wedding as one final party with familiar faces before setting off to LA to make new friends.

As I wrote previously, moving to the US has been one to do list after another. With each task completed comes a new one uncovered, and it seems endless until you get on that plane, sit back and reflect on not only what you've accomplished, but what lies ahead (I write this post from my Vancouver to Toronto flight). While I relax with family and friends this week in Toronto, my roommate will be taking the keys for our Brentwood apartment. From the sounds of our class Facebook page, people are piling in daily, and happy hours are starting to take shape - it's all pretty awesome if you ask me. Of course there still sits an accounting case I should look at, some Parker CMC work to do, and other Anderson related tasks, but just like I told myself during undergrad, 'everything will get done, and everything will work out'.

Yesterday was my last day in Vancouver, and as I posted so on Facebook, what I found amazing was that alot of the people wishing me safe travels and wishes weren't only friends from the last few years, but classmates at Anderson whom I had yet to meet. If that doesn't speak to the culture that Anderson attracts and breeds, I'm not sure what does. Either way, I am getting more excited by the day to meet the hundreds of people I will be spending all of my time with over the coming years.

For now, I will focus on two more food and adventure to-dos!

Week 5 - Food: I've got a bit of a weak spot for ice cream, never mind ice cream sandwiches. Coolhaus (http://www.eatcoolhaus.com) has an awesome line up of ice creams and fresh cookies for great ice cream sandwich concoctions such as this one:

They've got a storefrount in Culver City and a truck...that's dangerous...

Week 5 - Adventure: My Pre-Orientation trip is to Mono Lake next weekend. Located to the east of Yosemite, Mono Lake looks like a great place for some kayaking and hiking, and I'm looking forward to doing all of that while building some memories with some of my new classmates. This view isn't too bad:

Here we go...

Evan (@abraisnic on Twitter)

Breaking Bad (Habits)

In less than two weeks I will be saying 'goodbye for now' to Vancouver - a city that I have called home for two years and have loved living in for just as long. My summer has been one of transition that has seen various phases come and go. What began as an exhale after leaving my full-time job to begin my summer of Funemployment, shifted to angst as I started preparing for my move to California. As August arrived, my to-do list only seemed to grow, and each day presenting a new learning as to what I, a Canadian coming to the US, would need to do prior to school starting. Domestic moves are rather seamless - your bank accounts stay in tact, your cell phone number comes with you, and your social insurance number (what my neighbours to south called a SSN) makes transferring credit a breeze. Not so for a move across the border. Cash deposits for cell phone contracts? Full tax returns from the last two years just to get a debit card? I guess it's all part of the process of getting your feet wet in a new country.

In three weeks, I will be touching down in Los Angeles, and I can only hope that my moving truck of things coming down from Vancouver meet me there as well. When the summer began I found myself focusing on things I had to do before leaving Vancouver, and now I find myself thinking more and more about what I have ahead of me in Los Angeles. The first month in LA already has a pre-orientation camping trip, a Dodgers game, Anderson and International Student Orientations, and a full slate of getting to know the classmates I'll be spending all of my time with over the next two years. It's pretty awesome!

I'm curious to see how the transition goes from a relaxing, non-academic summer to an intense quantitative first quarter, but I can already tell from the community on the class Facebook page that everyone will be helping eachother through the ups and downs of a busy first year at UCLA. If I felt like Anderson was the right choice for me after A-Days earlier in the year, my feelings have been more than validated by seeing how our class has interacted for the months leading up to the start of this two year journey.

Week 4 - Food: Having just watched a recent Curb episode about a hypothetical Palestinian chicken restaurant in Westwood, I thought it would be a great time to share Zankou Chicken (http://www.zankouchicken.com). The closest one to campus is on Santa Monica Blvd by the 405, and I plan to make a few detours to and from class to pick up what is supposed to be some delicious chicken.

Week 4 - Adventure: Camping and Hiking in Los Padres National Forest (Big Sur): There are no shortage of places to camp and hike in Southern California (preferrably not in the valley in the middle of the summer). Kirk Creek Campground in Los Padres is apparently one of the state's most beautiful, and provides access to some awesome hikes that provide views of the Pacific Coast Highway and the ocean:

 

 

I'm not sure what I'm more excited for - the ocean or the chicken.

Cheers,

Evan

A roadmap of my journey down I-5 to UCLA Anderson

It seems like only weeks ago that I was thinking about writing the GMAT to prepare myself for the possibility of business school. At the time, preparing for my first standardized test was merely an attempt to 'keep another door open'. I had been working for a large organization for close to four years, and felt that it would soon be time for a change. I wasn't initially convinced that business school would be the path that I would venture down. I had told myself for years that I would be happiest if I were running my own business, but the ideas weren't coming, and with the few that did, I realized that I had gaps to fill in my business knowledge in order to execute them (or even decide if they were executable) successfully.

And so, the GMAT journey began. My approach to applying to business school was likely slightly different from that of my classmates. Being Canadian, the decision to attend business school in the US isn't always the first instinct. While I had dreams of attending a top American program, the admissions standards, and cost are often limiting factors for many Canadians (especially in past years when our dollars weren't at parity). I applied to schools in both Canada and the United States, but ultimately the opportunity to attend Anderson was too great to pass up. Having a close friend who was in the process of completing his degree at Anderson made the decision easier - having heard fantastic stories from the last 2 years about how his time at Anderson was the best of his life.

My Pre-MBA journey also started a lot later than most. It has been interesting talking to classmates and hear about their application experiences. I didn't decide to write my GMAT until September of 2010, ultimately writing the GMAT in late November, and submitting all of my applications (to 6 schools) by the end of January 2011. I share this for a few reasons for prospective MBA students. Firstly, I would not recommend this approach - for each school that required 3-5 essays, I probably wrote 6 or 7 drafts of each. And while there were economies gained by writing similar essays for a few of the programs, it was incredibly time consuming, and at times draining. Secondly, I wasn't able to take advantage of alot of the application steps that I think are crucial to making a good decision as to where you fit best as an MBA student. I didn't visit a few of the schools I was applying to until interview time, or in the case of Anderson - A-Days in April. Finally - attending business school is a significant, possibly life-changing decision and should not be taken lightly. Your application process has the potential to change what opportunities you create for yourself, and the more you put into it, the better results you will see. I am fortunate in that I believe I am going to the school that is the best fit for my personal and professional needs, but that doesn't mean that my approach will work for all. In summary - a few candid tips that I would pass on to prospective MBA students:

1. Before deciding to apply to MBA programs, ask yourself these questions: Why do I want an MBA? What opportunities/learning will an MBA provide that I cannot achieve without it? What are my goals after completing my MBA?

2. Figure out who you really are and what you believe in: I found that the most important learning from my MBA application process was digging deep into my values and beliefs and communicating those with others. Alot of people think they know what they want to do, but knowing what you love to do will help decide what you should do.

3. Don't think about how an MBA will change you, but how an MBA will help you change:  When deciding if an MBA is right for you, don't think about salary increases or promotions, think about what you'll learn from being around hundreds of brilliant and driven individuals, and how that will help you leave your mark on society - we will all be better for it.

Applying to business school was one of the most fascinating, introspective and demanding journeys I have ever put myself through, and I feel that I have a better grasp of who I am for having done it. I can only hope that the next two years take that to an entirely new level.

And finally, two more things that I'm excited about in Southern California!

Week 3 - Food: There are few things more satisfying in life than biting into a great deli sandwich. Langer's Deli in Westlake is supposedly the best in the city for such a craving, so I'm excited to give it a try: (www.langersdeli.com). We'll see how their smoked meat compares to Schwartz's in Montreal.

 

Week 3 - Adventure: This one isn't so much an adventure, but one of my favourite up and coming Canadian bands, Hey Rosetta! is coming to Los Angeles in November. They'll be playing on November 8th at The Echo and tickets are only $8. In Canada they play sold out shows for triple that price, so if anyone is interested in coming, it should be a pretty good show. Check them out at heyrosetta.com. I have no affiliation with the band, so this is merely one music-lover hopefully sharing with others!

Until next time - see everyone in a few weeks in Caliornia!

Cheers,

Evan

I'll be by the pool in case the Blue Man Group calls...

(Excuse the quasi-lame Arrested Development-themed title)

I'm sitting at YVR (Vancouver's Airport) waiting to board my flight to Los Angeles for my final visit to California before the real move in August. I have decided to come down the coast for four days to complete two key pre-school activities: meeting my roommate and finding an apartment. I remember when I made a similar trip in the summer of 2009 to Vancouver for the same amount of time - except that time there was no roommate to help and no real experience in house hunting to steer me to sound judgment. There is a great feeling of optimism in the air as I sit here listening to the new Bon Iver album, taking in the change that is occurring around me. My visions of Brentwood and Santa Monica are formulated from a short apartment tour in April, and the commentary of my fellow classmates on Facebook. That said, that arms me with more information than when I decided on the neighborhood in Vancouver that would become my home for two years. 

I now complete this entry three days later. A roommate has been met and a friendship formed. We toured Brentwood and Santa Monica for 36 hours before finding the apartment that best met the criteria we had discussed. A heads up to my classmates...the search is tiring, and the landscape competitive. Be ready to pull the trigger immediately on a place if you like it, and don't forget to leverage Westside Rentals and Craigslist (where we found the unit we will be living in). Brentwood will be my home for the next two years and I couldn't be more excited. We have a pool. I thought that I was going to B school to find a career that allowed me to have a pool...so why bother? (kidding, but open invite to classmates for pre and post exam hangouts poolside)

The real kicker of the week? Sean (my roommate) and I were celebrating our successful house hunting trip with a few cold ones at his friends place, when we are asked if we would be able to play extras in his short film. Only in LA can one begin the day homeless by the beaches in Santa Monica and end the day with an address in Brentwood and an upcoming profile birth on IMDB. 

Edit: Second kicker of the trip. Having to go to UCLA to take care of some paperwork, I walk out of the parking garage to the screams of thousands. Quickly realizing they weren't for me, I turn to my right to see Real Madrid drive by me in golf carts. Now, I'm by no means a soccer/football enthusiast, but I could certainly get used to star sightings on a semi-frequent basis. Apparently they practice annually at UCLA...note to self: traffic sucks on those days (or all days). 

Week 2 - Food: What's life in SoCal without fish tacos? Ricky's Fish Tacos in Hollywood are apparently pretty good, so I will definitely be venturing over there for a try. 

Week 2 - Adventure: 7 Falls - take the Pacific Coast Highway north to Santa Barbara where there are tons of great hikes. The ocean air keeps the weather manageable on warm days. Great views!

If you need me I will be procrastinating by the pool. 

Cheers!

Evan

It's Always Sunny in California

I remember the day like it was yesterday. "Evan, we've got a great opportunity for you in Vancouver!" As an east-coaster, my body numbed at the thought of leaving behind my friends and family in the only coast I had ever known. It was 2009 and the 2010 Winter Olympics were on the horizon. What better time to try something new and push myself? I had spent my entire life between Toronto and Montreal, almost entirely surrounded by familiar friends and family, and the move to Vancouver would present a new opportunity. I had a day to decide whether or not I would accept the offer, and before talking it over with anyone, I turned to my then-boss and said "I'd be foolish not to do this. I'll take it!"

I now face the prospect of an entirely different sort of move. A self-initiated, international move down the coast to not only a new city and country, but a shift in lifestyle from budding young professional back to humble student. Moving to Vancouver taught me a lot about not only what I love in a city, but also how to find what I love. Having known since April that I would be moving to Los Angeles to pursue my MBA at UCLA Anderson, I promised myself that I would use this summer to best position myself to embrace the change that would soon be upon me.

I needed money for school, but I had become disconnected from my current job as I knew that my upcoming education was a way to change my professional direction. Naturally, I quit my job and decided my summer would be better spent working at a golf course pro shop four days a week. Free time and cheap golf were higher priority benefits to me than stock options and health care. My golf game has not improved at all. 

I had to learn to adapt to a tighter budget, knowing that I wouldn't be receiving a bi-weekly pay cheque anymore, so I bought a car as well as tickets to Coachella 2012, justifying them as 'essential elements of the California experience'.

Moving to Vancouver has forced me to be proactive in learning to love my new environment and taking advantage of what an area has to offer in food, music and travel. I plan to share what I uncover as I prepare myself to not only survive as a transitioning MBA student, but a new  California resident. I've created bucket lists before, but never documented or consciously pursued them. With hundreds of others going through the same transition as I am, I thought this would be a great way to log easy and spontaneous food and adventure ideas to help myself and others fall in love with Southern Cailfornia.

Week 1 - Food: The Grilled Cheese Truck

Things I like - butter, cheese, additional cheese, and bread. What better way to indulge and all of these concurrently than a great grilled cheese sandwich. And why make one at home when you can follow a food truck that clearly does it better. The Grilled Cheese Truck (http://www.thegrilledcheesetruck.com) offers $3 sandwiches if you want to go on the simple, or $7.50 masterpieces should you choose to indulge in something more extravagant like the Cheesy Mac and Rib - with macaroni, cheese, barbecued pork and caramelized onions.

Week 1 - Adventure: Revisit Yosemite National Park

I first visited Yosemite as a teenager, not mature or patient enough to appreciate elements that were apparently the foundation of Ansel Adams' portfolio. I'm eager to fill my car with others who want to help me revisit Mariposa Grove, Sentinel Dome and El Capitain. Requirements include a love of good road trip music, a desire for In-N-Out, and a good sense of humour (note the Canadian spelling).

Can't wait to see who I tackle this bucket list with as it expands, and hope everyone is having a wonderful summer so far!

Cheers!

Evan