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Tag: Going abroad

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Written by Alena Malloy, Part-Time MBA class of 2019

 

I took a deep breath as I approached the door to the classroom. Beyond that door was a group of people that I would be spending 7 days with in a foreign country. I’ll admit, I was a bit nervous but I also very excited.
I was going to Barcelona!

The short term study abroad program was one of the more important decision factors when I was deciding to which MBA program to apply. I have always loved traveling but didn’t have the opportunity as an undergrad to study abroad. With each new friend that had that experience, I was a bit more jealous!
With a full-time job, I would not be able to study internationally for a full semester. So when admissions director told me about the program, the GW MBA program shot to the top on my personal ranking of schools.

So why did I apply to the Spain program?
Couple of reasons actually. First, I really love Spain. I was lucky enough to go to Seville, Granada and Madrid a few years ago. The country is beautiful, historical, full of wonderful people, and amazing food. Unexpectedly, I got a little homesick for California. I grew up with stories about how the Spaniards came to California and loved it because it reminded them of their home (among other reasons). Honestly, I felt right at home. I desperately wanted an opportunity to go back. I even had a few Spanish MBA programs on my short list of schools!

Second, and just as important, I started the MBA program with the goal of changing my career. I worked in the advertising industry for a long time and wanted something new and different for my next step. Shifting to a Global Management concentration was a big decision for me as I am not one to make major life choices quickly. But it feels right and I love the material so far. As part of the Global Management requirements, I needed to do a study abroad.
This course in particular would help me achieve my goals. The objectives of the course include “understanding the challenges of global innovation” and “how to design a global innovative strategy”. How amazing does that sound? How appropriate for my career shift? I have always been interested in innovation and how that applies on a global scale and now I would get to see it in action!

And if the first day of class is any indication, I will get a lot out of this program. After a lecture on innovation and what that means to the business world (spoilers: innovators destroy the norm!), we had an overview of the innovative companies we would meet during our week. With everything from an Uber version of a house cleaning service to a chocolate museum to FC Futbol, we are experiencing what Barcelona has to offer!

It’s going to be an amazing trip.

Published on

Written by Allie Perkins, Global MBA class of 2018

 

It’s only been a few days since I’ve returned from my trip in Asia, and I already can’t wait to go back (even though the jet lag has been a struggle!). I’ve been reflecting on my time in Vietnam, and I’m still in awe at how wonderful of an experience it was. Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi could not be more different. Ho Chi Minh was a bustling metropolis, similar to a New York. The streets were packed at all hours and traffic never seemed to ease. It was loud, fast-paced, and wonderful. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, and is full of ancient wonder. Everything moves a little more slowly, but the city is still so alive.

The actual work with our client was extremely rewarding, though was not without its challenges. Working with people from a completely new culture is always a learning experience, and I appreciate the opportunity to engage with clients from a place so different from the U.S. I’m grateful to have been able to learn more about Vietnamese culture and business and work closely with top executives in a field new to me. The new skills I’ve learned will surely be useful as I enter the workforce this summer.

I’m not sure that I had any concrete expectations for my trip or for Vietnam beforehand, which I think ended up being a positive. I fell in love with Vietnam the minute I stepped off the plane, and every minute I spent in country only intensified it. The people are friendly and warm, the streets feel safe at all hours, the food is wonderful (though a bit of a challenge if you’re a vegetarian), and the energy is palpable. I learned so many valuable things about engaging with clients in an international space, including navigating the challenges of the time differences and communication preferences and styles. Everything about my trip was wonderful, and I can’t wait to return!

 

Feature Photo: Temple of Literature in Hanoi

In text image: The team at one of our client’s restaurants in Ho Chi Minh

Last week was the first week of classes. My roommate and I were able to navigate our way through and got to school 45 minutes before class started (talk about overachievers ?). The classes I am taking are all luxury classes so I was extremely excited because these types of courses are not offered at GW.

My first class was Luxury Retail Management in which we learn about how companies communicate their brand and strategies retail strategies to build the brand. There is a required group and individual project due at the end of the course. The group project consists of acting as a secret buyer at one of eight luxury brands who have a large presence in Paris, I picked Chanel (obviously). The individual project is a paper on how major brands are developing omni channel (bridging online and offline customer interactions), my company is Christian Louboutin (long heels red bottoms, long heels red bottoms).

The next class was International Luxury Distribution in which we learn about distribution strategies and business models of successful brands. This class also has a required group and individual project. The group project is to present the dynamics of multi brand distribution for multi-brand concept stores in EMEA. The individual paper is to analyze brand collaborations in a particular sector, my paper will be on Boucheron‘s jewelry collaborations.

Both courses are taught by Denis Morisett who was the former COO of Ralph Lauren Europe, CEO of Pierre Balmain, and Managing Director France of Armani, Director of Luxury Executive Programs, and has been teaching at ESSEC for over 20 years. Needless to say, this man has been around and knows what he is talking about. The courses complement each other in terms of content, in Management you learn how to brand is making its name online and offline and in Distribution you learn how the brand is getting its name across internationally.

The other class I am taking is Anthropology of Luxury Brands in which we learn about the evolution of human’s wants as it relates to luxury. I have never taken an anthropology class before, so I am excited to learn about what actually makes us want to want these crazy outrageously priced items and how have brands utilized these wants to create an empire for themselves. The professor is Simon Nyeck who has a great deal of knowledge in marketing, he received his PhD in Marketing from ESSEC, a Doctoral degree from Paris Dauphine University, GloColl Fellow on Participant-Centered Learning from Harvard Business School, and the list goes on.

The first day of class was so stimulating, I was learning about how all of the big names actually became big names. Hopefully one day I can be one of them :D

 

Published on

Written by Allie Perkins, GMBA Class of 2018

I’ve been in Vietnam only three days and I’m already excited about my next trip to this amazing country. With its friendly inhabitants, incredible street food, bustling streets, and beautiful architecture, it’s easy to see why people come and never leave. I am surprised at how seamless the adjustment has been to a place so different than anywhere else I’ve traveled. Many Vietnamese people do not speak English, and if they do, their vocabulary is small. Despite this, traveling throughout both Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, ordering food (even as a vegetarian), and exploring the must-see sights has been a breeze. I’ve found that travel by foot is by far the best way to experience HCM and Hanoi; it allows me to place my finger on the strong pulse of the city life, however, an Uber is a reliable second bet should your feet tire of hopping over cobble stones or weaving through the millions of motorcycles that inhabit the busy streets. Word to the wise - when crossing the street, keep moving at a steady pace, the motorcycles and cars will go around you, but should you attempt to dodge them, you might find yourself the victim of a pile-up, and it might be hard to use chopsticks if you’re incapacitated.

Thus far, I’ve experienced Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, which I would call the New York and DC of Vietnam, respectively. Each offers something unique, but I think Hanoi is my favorite location. The city itself is more than a thousand years old, and the character of the ancient temples and universities, the street food vendors cooking traditional Vietnamese cuisine on jam-packed streets, and new, modern builds scattered throughout the city make it something truly special. With every turn unfolds another classic temple, old Vespa, cobblestone alleyway, and chance to eat a delicious bowl of pho or recharge with a Vietnamese coffee. The whole city, including its street roosters and chickens, feels so alive.

The friendliness and emphasis on superior customer service can be seen in the business environment as well, though my experience in-country has been limited thus far. Despite this, there is an obvious emphasis on courteousness and treating others with the utmost respect. In order to be successful, trust must be established and maintained between both parties. While these characteristics may seem obvious, there are special nuances to every interaction, from ordering food at a restaurant, to speaking with a concierge, to working with our client, all of which would have gone unnoticed had we continued this project in the comforts of DC. I feel so fortunate to be able to finalize our work in Vietnam where I have the opportunity to step back and observe, ask questions, and explore two truly incredible cities.

 

Feature photo: Old Post Office in Ho Chi Minh City
In text image: Old Quarter in Hanoi

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