Archive for the ‘Barcelona’ Category
BARCELONA!
Although it is raining today, I have to write something about the “Barcelona advantage” here. Apart from cultural and culinary highlights the weather definitely contributes to this advantage. An example:
- Sunday, 7th FEBRUARY, 11.30 a.m., breakfast on a friend’s terrace at about 20 centigrade!
- Sunday, 7th FEBRUARY, 2.30 p.m., starting to go through my readings on the beach …
About the readings or classes in general this term: while the first term leveled the playing field (basic finance, accounting, marketing, etc) this term goes more into depth. Sunday’s readings for example were for Global Context of Management. A class I really enjoy because topics are discussed that I think every MBA student should think about. Today’s GCM class is about income distribution, last week we discussed corruption and next week we’ll find out more about international law when we look at Pinochet’s extradition. I really enjoy discussing these topics with my classmates, which is working out well in this class being split up into three groups (20 each).
And that’s it for this post. There are midterms going on and interviews are happening or are just around the corner …
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Happy new year!
A little far into the year already for this heading, but I wasn’t able to post any sooner. This term started last Monday and it did so quite abruptly. 5 new subjects plus 1 elective (I’m in the 15 months program) plus the “Doing Business in the Middle East seminar” that makes 7 new teachers and 5 readers in the mailbox. I am really enthusiastic about this term because classes promise to be very interesting. In “Global Context of Management” we split up into 3 groups for most part of the class to discuss different topics that influence long-term management decisions globally. Last week we had a heated discussion about who was responsible and what to do about the financial/economic crisis. I’m guessing climate change tomorrow will be no less interesting …
So after one week I can say, it will be quite a busy term but definitely worth it. Plus, Barcelona keeps on proving to me what a great place it is to live in:
- 2,5 hrs to go skiing in Andorra
- First BBQ of the year on the terrace mid-January
- Lunch on ESADE terrace every day of last week
I can definitely get used to that!
The true meaning of living in Barcelona.
We all know that living in Barcelona is great and for many of us, geographic location was one of the most important selection criteria for choosing ESADE. But this weekend, after 8 months of being here, I really understood the meaning of living in Barcelona.
Over the summer we enjoyed Barcelona’s beaches, Sitges to the south and the beautiful Costa Brava to the north.
“Sol, arena y mar” that was our summer and it couldn’t get better.
But surprisingly it does get better. In the winter, we snowboard and ski without having to go too far away.
This weekend we drove up to Andorra. In less than 3 hours I was all geared up and ready to hit the snowy slopes. We stayed at Soldeu which is right in front of the ski station of Granvalira and for 42 euros I got my ski pass for the day.
The views were amazing, it wasn’t crowded and the snow was great.
On the way back we drove into France and stopped by at Perpignan for my favorite-cheese, bread and wine! N.B. I wasn’t driving!
I was very upset when summer ended, but now I found that winter is Barcelona is as much or even more enjoyable than the summer.
You have to love Barcelona.
MO-viembre
Mo-vember took over ESADE. For the past four weeks male students have grown and groomed their mustaches in order to raise awareness for men’s health problems and raise money for a good cause.
The ESADE Mo Bros, supported by our Mo Sistas, started November clean shaven. After the first week the fearless uncovered their Mos and where soon followed by their fellow classmates in an effort to sport the most impressive Mo.
Every participant paid a small fee to enter the contest and to lay a foundation of funds to be donated to a charity of our choice at the end of the month. We supported by our Mos were walking billboards for men’s health issues and were able to raise some more funds. The month is not quite over yet, so the final amount we were able to raise has yet to be counted.
This very special month culminated in a Mo-Down last Friday. ESADE Mo Bros and Sistas met in a bar to find out who grew the most impressive Mo. The two charming ladies behind the bar of cafe Berlin not only served us drinks but also a verdict on who would be honored “most impressive” Mo. I hereby want to thank the winners and fellow classmates Brad and Ziad for their inspiring Mos!
Stay tuned for an update on the amount ESADE was able to raise! Looking forward to next year. I will miss you Mo…