Living the life of a Parisian

Wow, it seems like time has increased in velocity since joining the global partners program. I feel like it was just yesterday that we arrived in class, green as an apple, excited and eager to begin experiencing all of what the program had to offer. Now it’s already May, and we’re four weeks into the Paris portion of the program. Again… WOW!

Unlike Brazil, the Paris part feels like, well, LIFE (as Stephanie Chapman would put it). Rio felt like an extended vacay with classes thrown in. Paris, on the other hand, is structured quite similarly to Altanta’s rigorous schedule and makes you feel like you’ve never left (at least for me). Yet with the similarities that exist between studying in Atlanta and studying in Paris, the obvious remains to be the worthwhile aspect of this part of the program: the city. (Oh, and that we’re given days off, which makes it very convenient to travel!!!) Paris has a lot to offer, but it takes looking beyond long days of school, bad weather and stodgy people to see the beauty.

The below pictures visually explain the life of a GPMBA student living the life of a Parisian…
Beautiful sights, lots of metro riding, class ALL day, and tons of walking.

Re-adapting to “Normal” Life

The GPMBA class of 2012 has returned from the Brazil portion of the program. So if you want to see a group of moping, yet beautifully tanned individuals, come see us at the Buckhead campus Monday through Friday! We’ll be here!!

But seriously, it has been very difficult re-adapting to “normal” life. When I say “normal” I’m referring to full day of classes, lots of course work and, worse of all, cold weather and no beaches. We live a sad life, eh?! Haha. I’m among the group of individuals who are silently suffering from a case called ”Brazil withdrawals.” Ok, ok, ok I definitely made that up, but think about it…life was simple in Rio. No need for a car, no hustle and bustle, lots of beautiful people everywhere and a constant showering of yummy pastries. Now do you see why we’re sad.

Oh well! Time to move forward. Brazil is a memory of the past and it’s time to get back to work and progress to the future. That IS the reason I’m in school right?!

Thank you GPMBA, I fell in love!

Samba is not just a musical genre or dance. Yes, it entails the intense gyrating of the hips that spreads throughout every limb of the body emitting power, presence and energy. The women dance as if they are floating on air while the men pound the ground harmonious with the echoes of deep drumbeats. Yet, beyond physical movement and a hypnotic sound lies an important aspect of the Brazilian culture: samba crosses the socio-economic lines that divides the Brazilian society and unites them. Samba is so important to Brazil that it has dedicated an entire week, which they call Carnival, to showcase it.

I visited the Mangueira facility for one of their Samba School Nights. As I entered the place, beats were pounding, people were singing and energy filled the space. Everyone was happy and having a good time. But after an hour of mingling, I noticed something different that I had not seen since my arrival in Rio de Janeiro. Although Mangueira is located in a favela, there was more than local residents in attendance. People from all socio-economic levels were there and the crowd was not divided. The Brazilians in attendance sang and danced in unison with pride.

If you know me, you know I LOVEEE live music and atmospheres filled with energetic people. That night was truly spectacular.  Laughing, singing, and dancing…can’t beat that!

More importantly, that night I fell in love.  I’m totally having a love affair with Brazil and feel completely guilty for cheating on my first love, my home country. Home is home…but Brazil is Brazil and there is nothing like it! So thank you GPMBA for introducing me to this wonderful country.

View the Samba video I shot that night!

We Made it Safe and Sound to Rio

We made it! Yes, there were a few bumps along the way but all 17 students are here and having a blast.

I have to be completely honest though. Rio de Janeiro offers an added component to the equation: distraction. Yea, majority of the students don’t speak the language and many of us don’t have a clue as to which way is north or south, but by far, the distraction element is the hardest change to deal with. Though the workload is less (we only have half day classes instead of the rigorous 5 full day class schedule of Atlanta), the level of distraction is at its highest. Who wants to study when you have a beautiful beach two blocks away?! I don’t.

Brazil requires a new level of discipline. Without it, you will flounder and possibly get caught up in the laid back beach lifestyle Rio has to offer. The Caipirihnas alone are enough to put you off your game. So to all you future students, here’s a helpful hint: discipline is the key to succeeding in the Rio portion of the program.

Tudo Bem!

~JCH

A Grueling Week Ahead….Survival of the Fittest

The 2012 cohort is about to head in to its first major battle that is sure to prove ones capacity to deal with mental, physical and emotional challenges. My question is….Who will survive?

The ingredients on next week’s agenda are as follows: 2 papers, 2 mid-term exams (Finance and Accounting), a major negotiation, and 2 huge projects in Economics and International Business. As you can probably imagine, the panic has spread amongst the students like wildfire. Some students are clamoring to stay ahead, some are just taking it as it comes and some are just outright in denial. Whatever the coping method, next week is coming and it will take no prisoners.

How each student tackles next week will be a true testament of his or her ability to persevere not only in this program but also in the “real world.” As for me, you can say that I am in the category of fighting to stay ahead. I believe that only through preparation and a strong mental capacity can I accomplish my goal of achieving excellence.

So…..Let the fight begin!!! Bring it on baby!

~JCH