Laos Books

It all started over a tweet. Lesson number 1, join Twitter and be active.
I was invited to attend a dinner as one of the South African hosts for a group of visiting MBA students from Belmont School, Nashville Tennessee. I accepted despite not knowing anyone else who was going -  in fact I actually cancelled plans with friends and attended the event on my own. Lesson number 2, never decline an opportunity.

At first I wondered about the difference between MBA students from around the world. I was curious to know the effect that our business schools have on us, in educating us as future leaders. However, as the night progressed it was more a case of how similar we are. Lesson number 3, never assume.

After a good potjie for dinner (a South African stew) and award winning wines (we are in the winelands) we were all relaxed and sharing laughs, thoughts and ideas. As I began to mingle and network through the evening I realised that the class from Tennessee had the same diverse group of personalities as my own class. Lesson number 4, great minds think alike when it comes to studying for an MBA.

I confess that our first MBA class get-together began in much the same innocent way of laughs and politeness, but soon progressed into one of those late night parties which you thought you only did when you were an undergraduate. We rationalised it as a necessary icebreaker because by the next morning we were all great friends. After meeting the US class of MBAs that first night, there was a similar endinga late night and becoming great friends. Lesson number 5, a fool’s mind does seldom differ.

Wanting to share my new MBA contacts with my own class, another get- together was arranged which also ended in another late night and by this time, we were best friends. Lesson number 6, insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
Drinks and networking aside, it was great to tap into the minds of other students. They were doing an accelerated MBA over one year with classes four nights a week. They were advised not to have a full-time job but rather an internship with a maximum of 20 hours a week. This is somewhat different to my classmates who all have full-time day jobs and have classes three nights a week, for two years! Lesson number 7, efficient time management skills are necessary for doing a part-time MBA.

After taking part in the numerous functions over the two weeks of their visit, I had made many friends (now all accumulated on social media) and established a couple of them as true friendships and essential contacts. Firstly, Kelley, who within minutes had identified me as the “girl to talk to” upon finding out that I was the South African who worked at a wine farm in the Stellenbosch winelands. Our smiles and laughter broke the ice and we soon realised that we had many things in common, including our academic achievements, social plans and both being class representatives. Lessons #8, birds of a feather, really do flock together.

Bryan and I did not get along well on night one, in fact we had continuous arguments and at times purposely chose the opposing side just to provoke a reaction from each other. However, as the two weeks progressed, it turned out that he was indeed a gentleman and we joked how either my judgment or his attitude had changed. We discussed various topics including Obama vs Osama, marriage, politics, religion, sport, South Africa and its trade negotiations in numerous conversations. Lesson number 9, thinking critically stimulates conversation.

I had a fabulous time interacting and mingling with fellow like-minded intellects. Studying for an MBA and meeting other students reminds me how lucky I am to be a part of this tiny group. It is an incredible opportunity where I hope that the destination is as exciting as the journey. Lesson number 10, doing an MBA has been my best decision to date.