Almost there My penultimate class at business school

At the end of July, I was fortunate enough to take Hult’s Corporate Diplomacy and Managing Geopolitical Risk course in San Francisco, with the inspiring Cari Guittard. The chance to take this class was the main reason I chose to come back to San Francisco after my Asian traveling adventure. And I am so, SO glad I did. Not only was I truly inspired by the passionate people around me, but in the current political and social climate we live in globally, I think it’s vitally important to discuss world issues head on and form opinions about the things that really matter. The goals of the class: Gain a foundational knowledge of corporate diplomacy and the processes, frameworks, and landscapes by which we operate Form an understanding of the political risk landscape and how people can and should operate in these ever-changing times Develop a global-leadership toolkit for how we can best use our influence to create a better world for all Well, that all sounded a bit daunting. And it was at first! But we were eased into it over the course of the weekend, duly helped by hearing from six (yes, SIX) industry-leading guest speakers from Cari’s network on how to navigate todays geopolitical climate. We were also able to debate freely and openly with students from over 30 different countries, all with their own amazing back stories and opinions. It didn’t feel so daunting by the end, and none of us wanted the class to be over. We were able to debate freely and openly with students from over 30 different countries. None of us wanted the class to be over. Our final day was mainly taken up with both group and individual presentations. The group assignment was to create a Corporate Diplomacy Plan for Facebook in a country chosen by Cari. Our group was assigned India. We set out to present a plan for how Facebook can become a more trusted partner in India by providing mobile healthcare units. Our idea had two key pillars: a partnership between Oculus and an Indian private healthcare provider to offer VR diagnosis in rural areas. We proposed to utilize this partnership to bring on government support for more healthcare and physical infrastructure in rural India. We were fortunate enough to receive the prize for the best idea and were awarded a 10lb chocolate bar! It was huge! Thanks, Cari! Chocolate bribery really does work. As good as this all was, it was not the most inspiring part of the day. Our individual presentations really encapsulated what we all would take away from the class, forcing us to focus on how we can be better global citizens. Individually, Cari set us the challenge of finding a UN Sustainable Development Goal  (SDG) that we were passionate about and asked us to present why this was important to us and what we will we do in our careers to help meet it. Some of my classmates   volunteered to share their stories as part of my blog, and I hope you are as inspired by them as I am: Rohini Robello-D’Souza Indian/American MBA Class of 2018 I am passionate about gender equality (SDG 5) and I have a strong sense of equity. I grew up in a male-dominated country with fiercely feminist parents. In my perfect world, a girl born today would not have to contend with a lack of education, employment discrimination, pay inequity, physical safety concerns, and a lack of representation in leadership. Therefore, I want to be more involved with: Impact investing that has women as the beneficiaries of the social component Creating alliances with governmental and non-governmental organizations to express my interest and intent in the field of advocacy for gender equality Researching and articulating the fiscal and societal benefits of having gender equality in an organization or country I will do this going forward by supporting and amplifying the message of entities who are on the right track with their goal of achieving gender equity. Also, I will refine my social capital with a view towards these goals and, most importantly, walk the talk!' ___ Yoshihito Ono Japanese EMBA Class of 2018 To me,  quality education (SDG 4)  is something worth living for. The reason for this is quite simple: education can change lives, just as it has for me! My grandfather lost all his assets just after the WWII, even though he was a family member of the first prime minister of Japan. My mother faced difficulties after her divorce when I was two years old, but fortunately my adoptive father provided us opportunities to study and a comfortable living environment. I have lots of human networks in Japan, thanks to linkages with some of the top schools as well as a number of politicians, business leaders of listed companies, and investors. I enjoy my life, my job, and my journey of the Executive MBA at Hult with my amazing cohort from all over the world. I have so much gratitude for those people who have motivated me throughout my life and contributed to the education of the next generation. Hence, I’d like to change the world positively in the education field, even just a bit, with Hultians and all of my network! ___ Anna Podolskaya Russian MBA Class of 2018 I would like to focus on economic development (SDG 8), particularly in Russia. One of the main issues in my country is that people do not feel that they need a healthy working environment, or they think that theirs is healthy when it isn’t. I truly believe that, by improving this, the amount of alcoholism would decrease, which is connected to unsatisfactory work. I would really like to help people not see work as something to do to survive, but as something enjoyable, so they can return happy to their families. Being at business school in the U.S., I want to gather best practices from working in the West, particularly about the things that make people happy to come to work, and how I can positively influence the working environment. I understand that my impact might not be right now when I am 27, it might be in 10 years time. But I know that I want to learn all that I can here so that I can take it back to my country and truly make a difference. I also want to change the perception of Russia in the rest of the world. We don’t always have a good name because of political situations. I believe that the government doesn’t have much in common with the general population who are open and friendly. Therefore, it is important for me to bring that good side of Russia into everything I undertake to ensure people get a proper, balanced view. ___ Melina Luz Baeza American MBA Class of 2018 As the third generation in a family who has dedicated themselves to helping others, I feel it is my privilege and duty to lift up those who do not have the same accessibility as I do. Also, as a woman of color with a lifelong history of Major Depressive Disorder and ADHD, I understand what it is like to be so stifled that you are incapable of helping yourself. I wish to empower those who desperately need the equity they deserve. Therefore, I am passionate about achieving gender equality (SDG 4) and empowering all women and girls. When women support women, and when we engage earnest men in the conversation about gender equality, we create a space for us to discuss how best to empower women. However, we have to ensure the corporate male population understands that participating in the conversation and contributing to the gender equality effort truly benefits men and the business itself. I plan to make a concerted effort to always inform others where, how, and who helped me accomplish my achievements, especially amplifying females. We have a responsibility to pull each other up. ___ A diverse and inspiring class with professor Cari. Personal reflection and responsibility These stories have inspired me and remind me of the positive impact humanity can have on this earth, should we want to. It is up to me now to be a good global citizen, and focus on my own sustainability goals: innovation (SDG 9), by making incremental or dramatic changes for the good of the world, and partnerships (SDG 17), by ensuring that I find the right alliances and collaborators who have a shared interest in improving the world to ensure things happen. This class has reminded me of my duty and will certainly be something I encourage others to think about over the coming weeks, months, and years. Political issues aren’t just something that others will take care of, and I believe that we should have the courage to discuss, have an open dialogue, and disagree with each other in order to move the world in the right direction together. I believe that we should have the courage to discuss, have an open dialogue, and disagree with each other in order to move the world in the right direction together. Be the change you want to see in the world. To find out more about how Hult empowers students to channel business for social good,  download a brochure. Kickstart your career right next door to Silicon Valley by studying at Hults San Francisco business school. To find out more, take a look at our blog Top 10 questions to ask when looking at business schools. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .