Last term of the MBA.. future is here!

I re-start my blogging efforts after a long silence.. Many people start blogs to explain their MBA experience, but then the intensity of the course overtakes the initial blogging desires. I'm not an exception.

With only one term left life starts to get back under control and short-term future becomes somehow clearer. After several interviews with many technology companies, I have decided where my post-MBA career will start: Samsung Global Strategy Group! That means that will have to move to Seoul, South Korea, which will make the whole experience incredibly worth.

The name of the blog, London Calling, reflects the journey to London Business School. Should then I update the name to Seoul Calling?

About MBAs and Engineers..

This first month has been very hectic.. Parties and fun have turned into work, work and work! The subjects are really interesting, I do enjoy especially Strategy and Corporate Finance.
I realize that people with technical backgrounds such as mine take more advantge of the skills we receive.. Everything is new! On the other hand, there are many undergads from places such as Columbia, Harvard who have already seen all the stuff and seem to be somehow bored..
From the professional point of view, we have to decide a career goal as there will be interviews for the summer internships very short.. The job market (especially in finance!) looks very gloomy so there are very few spots for many people..

2-weeks partying in London!

It's been only 2 weeks in the MBA programme but it feels as if I had been here for a whole year! The first weeks are being filled with lots of social events aimed at expanding our contacts within the programme.
If I had to choose a highlight for these first 2 weeks I would say it was the party I had with my study group.
We all went to one of the member's place: The house was amazing! A 2-storey penthouse overlooking the Thames river.. The night started with cold Moet (champagne), followed by endless drinks and fine food.
On the other hand the subjects are Ok so far. The "real" subjects will start in about 2 weeks.. On the meantime, let's enjoy the experience!

Working with people from all around the globe!

The orientation week marks the start of the MBA at London Business School. It's all about getting to know each other and specially the study group. They are going to be the people who I will spend most of the time with as all work has to be done in groups. It's definitely the most challenging part of the MBA as my study group is really diverse: American, British, Indian, Zimabwe and Brazilian.. To be honest I am more than excited and looking forward to start the course than ever!

First days in London!

I just moved in a couple of days ago!
These first days are being really exciting. I still don't have a proper place to stay -- I am writing these lines from an aussie's friend flat in West Kensington where I am staying a few days -- but adaptation is being quite smooth so far.
The MBA programme starts in a few days but there are already lots of things to do. Setting up bank accounts, sorting all paperwork, but the one activity I like the most is to network with my future MBA mates. For those who don't know it, networking in London means gathering around a pub drinking endless pints.. In a single night I was introduced to more than 30 people..(whose names I can hardly remember!). I realize that diversity is taken seriously in the LBS program: Among those I already met, there are investment bankers, M&A analysts, engineers, entepreneurs and even a canadian musician.
So after all, I must reckon that getting back to student life is not going to be that tough!

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

Today is my last day at Siemens. It isn't that easy to leave a job in a company like this. Sometimes one can feel dizzyness: getting back to the student life after several years of working life. I have always thought that we must resist the temptation of feeling comfortable. Though it isn't easy at all. Quitting a well-paid job, leaving a nice car and all the company's gadgets.

The above picture is very inspirational: It shows a young Steve Jobs, who was already millionaire, sitting on the flor of an empty room.. Any 26 year-old man with fresh millions in his bank would spend every cent in useless things, yet this guy was able to keep focused on his activities. As the title says we should always "Stay Hungry and Foolish". Hungry to always look for new goals and foolish to keep trying new and risky things.

Dismantling your life or how to find your karma in 5 weeks

Before moving to London in 5 weeks I have to get rid of all the stuff that is worthless in my new life. I am doing a sort of zen activity as I am selling / giving back what I thought were essential material things like:


- Blackberry (should I say crackberry?)
- Car (Wow.. this is gonna be tough!)
- Motorbike (already sold)
- Dell Laptop (though It will raise my spirit to get a Macbook Air)
- Useless Clothes
- Golf clubs...(guess I will keep these)
- Kitesurfing Material (will have to rethink this one..)



So I guess that after parting with all my gadgets I will feel closer to my real karma.. Though I am a bit scared to see what will I find within myself!