“The True New Yorker secretly believes that people living anywhere else have to be, in some sense, kidding.” – John Updike
The opportunity to undertake an academic exchange in a different geography and experience a different culture was a big part of my decision to undertake the full time MBA Program at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The exchange program serves as both a culmination of your formal MBA studies as the last semester and an opportunity to compare your skills gained over the past year within a new learning environment.
At the HKUST MBA we get the option to pick from a long list of top partner schools across multiple geographies on which to exchange for one semester, while students have to first shortlist schools, basis their preferences, the MBA program office nominates students basis the availability of exchange spots and our individual contributions to the MBA program. I personally shortlisted NYU Stern for my exchange semester as apart from the opportunity to be a resident New Yorker for few months, NYU Stern had some really exciting classes in topics close to my heart such as Cryptocurrency and Impact Investing.
Caption: Washington Square Arch – The landmark that lets you know NYU is just around the corner. Fun Fact– Built in 1889 to celebrate the centennial of President George Washington’s inauguration.
While having to deal with the pace of another new city made me anxious, especially after just having gotten used to all that Hong Kong had to offer in the past year, my emotions after landing in New York followed the classic four stages of acclimation (Denial, Doubt, Acceptance and Thriving) across the four months of the exchange program.
The first month which felt like the longest, being in New York after 2 decades, was in a way one of mental denial, wherein the mind compares everything to familiar environments back home and you see yourself as a tourist in the city. My first reaction was always to compare the situation back to Hong Kong when I felt disappointed in the subway system or the homelessness and drug problem on the streets. Though this is usually the best month to tick off the major tourist spots in the city due the pleasant weather and low workload, it can also be the time when you feel the biggest craving for Hong Kong Yum Cha delicacies.
As the classes started picking up pace in the second month, at times I slipped into doubt, with teaching styles at HKUST being at par with most top schools did I really need a new academic environment in my MBA Journey? Having to trudge to the local laundromat a few blocks away (a common experience in New York), did I really enjoy my nitro brew cold coffee more than my bubble milk tea to be in New York? All questions without any clear answers but as they say at times distance makes the heart grow fonder and appreciate home more.
Caption: One of the bigger classrooms at NYU Stern. Lot of inspiring moments while attending the Digital Currencies, Blockchain and the Future of Financial Services classes here.
The days slowly pass by quickly as you start to behave like a local by the third month, accepting Bagel, Schmear and Lox as a breakfast culinary marvel, figuring out the best spots to finish assignments within the business school and being brave enough to venture out into the corners of all the five boroughs of New York. The importance of the exchange program in the MBA journey also starts to make more sense as you learn to appreciate the diverse non-Asian and American context on a lot of business issues. It is also a time where having had the opportunity to network in a new business environment, you get more insights on how to plan your future job prospects and build a more holistic picture of global trends in your desired industry.
The last month, when you finally get a hang of things, always goes by the quickest. It was a month, where I finally felt like I was thriving in the new environment alien to me only a few months ago. I had the chance to research and present on topics in Crypto Investing that I didn’t even know a few months back, as well as the opportunity to hear speakers I had only followed as an ardent fanboy on Twitter. Having discovered the best hidden outdoor spots, bodega sandwiches and off-off-broadway theatre experiences also helped improve my spiel in front of both New York natives and friends visiting the city wanting to satisfy their wanderlust to display the most unique stories on their Instagram and Snapchat accounts.
Caption: The HKUST MBA Group celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival at a Hot-Pot Restaurant in Flushing China Town. Getting to experience a new place with old friends is always a blessing!
The exchange program in summary is a great way to top-off what was undoubtedly one of the most challenging and personally transformative years of my life. Some concluding tips from my personal experience to make the most of your exchange program which ever corner of the world you are headed off to would include:
- Be clear with your key priorities from the exchange program whether academic, cultural or personal.
- Sample courses both outside your comfort zone as well as those in which you are really passionate about, many schools are known for MBA concentrations in diverse areas such as Healthcare, Media, Energy and FinTech etc.
- Plan your career goals in advance and be conscious of both the opportunity costs of being outside your home school and geography.
- Try to live like a local in your adopted city and go experience neighborhoods not found on the tourist guidebooks.
Please feel free to reach out to me in case I can help in anyway as you evaluate going on an exchange program or joining the full-time MBA program at HKUST.
P.S: Always show school pride 🙂 !
Puranjay Mahapatra, HKUST FT MBA 2018 Intake
Originally Published on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-mba-exchange-journey-big-apple-puranjay-mahapatra/
The Lucid Monk 