Every year, for the past few years, student interest groups at Saïd have planned treks to many areas of the world. Some trips have been motivated by geographical and regional considerations while others have been centered on specific industries/sectors which are ‘traditionally’ centered on a particular city/area, i.e. Silicon Valley.

The 2009 United Arab Emirates Student Trip will remain one of my best experiences during the Oxford MBA. As an organizer, the trip planning consumed quite a large part of my Hilary term and given that the trip took place soon after the end of exams- I was consumed with the planning during exam prep time. I must admit though, it was a pleasant distraction at times

Our collective goal was to develop a strong understanding of business developments in the UAE, to present students with professional and personal resources to explore the Middle East region, and to act as “ambassadors” for the business school. We were also quite curious to check out the region as most in the group had not visited before.

After weeks of planning, scheduling and juggling assignments and exams, our first day of meetings started with a visit to Nakheel Properties where we learned about the current and forthcoming projects. We were treated to a boat tour around the edge of the ‘palm’ and a view of the Dubai skyline from an unusual angle.

Boat tour around Dubai

We left Nakheel and headed to the financial center of Dubai to meet with Barclay’s Wealth where our group learned about the intricacies of wealth management in the Middle East. After the two hour meeting we were off to Dubai World /Dubai Investment Authority for an introduction to one of the Emirates’ largest and diversified investment groups. We learned about the different levers affecting the different groups and how truly diversified the firm is. Our fourth and final meeting of the day was a dinner reception generously hosted by PA Consulting. The event was at the Fazaris Restaurant in The Address Hotel which is situated next to the Dubai Mall. We learned of the interesting ‘projects of the future’ PA is working on and had the opportunity to mingle with the consultants based in Dubai. Our outdoor seating afforded us a view of the Burj Dubai, the tallest tower under construction.

Burj Dubai

Day two and we were off to Abu Dhabi to our first visit of the day, the Abu Dhabi Education Council. We learned of the thirty year strategic plan of the Emirate and the tremendous role that education plays in this plan. We then visited HSBC and discussed the differences in retail and commercial banking within Abu Dhabi and among the Emirates and other Middle Eastern countries. Our day ended with a visit to the impressive gold-laden Emirates Palace.

Day three began in the Jumeirah Marina, where we visited an entrepreneur and alumni of Saïd Business School to learn about the leisure boating company fully powered by solar panels, Gulf Solar Yachts.

Gulf Solar Yachts

After the early morning meeting we were geared up for our private tour of the Burj Al Arab. Our wonderful host took us on a comprehensive tour of the luxury resort. Perhaps next time we visit Dubai one of us will stay there!? In the afternoon we met with the Forsa- a women-run division of Dubai World focusing extensively on female wealth within the region. In the evening of the packed day we all attended the alumni event and networking reception for our meeting hosts. The event was generously hosted by the Center of Excellence in the Dubai International Financial Center. It was a great way to meet additional alumni and companies we hoped to but could not meet with during our short time in Dubai.

On the fourth and final business day the team met with four firms. The first meeting was hosted by Boston Consulting Group. Our next meeting was hosted by an alumnus of the program at Shell. We learned about and discussed with our hosts the future of oil in Dubai and the Middle East and additional sources of fuels and energy. We made our next stop at the Internet City of Dubai, where we visited with Dell. Our final meeting was with Bain and Company.

Our final group activity was a Desert Safari which included 4×4 ‘dune crashing’ a buffet dinner at a Bedouin tent, where camel rides, hookah, and belly dancing and a return trip to our hotel.

Deser Safari in Dubai

It was a packed weekend of sports, networking, and social events shared with other European MBA programs. The event kicked-off with the salsa dancing competition on Thursday night. I was part of the salsa team and had a great time practicing leading up to the event as well as on the night of the competition.I also participated in Tennis, Rugby, and Swimming.

In Action....Rugby Socks, Tennis Gear, Refreshments...

Women's 50M Backstroke Bronze!

The days began early, with the buses transporting players from the hotels to the fields. Throughout the day various sports were played all across the HEC campus and other venues close to the School. A light lunch and refreshments were offered at mid-day and sports continued into the evening

Our teams performed strongly with games that always kept the fans on their toes. In most cases the scoring was extremely close and the point difference leading to gold and silver and silver and bronze was small. The official results have not been publicized but from what I can recall our unofficial medal tally (team medals- additional individual not listed) include;

• GOLD:
  - Babyfoot (Foosball)   
  - Chess
  - Rowing
  - Tennis
• SILVER:
  -Badminton
  -Beach Volleyball
  -Sailing
  -Swimming
• BRONZE
  -Cross-Country
  -Handball
  -Rugby, Men’s
  -Rugby, Women’s

On our final evening we were transported into Paris where we had a chance to roam the Champs Elysees and sit at a café to watch the tourists and Parisians walk up and down the famous street. All the participating students arrived at the Duplex club and bowling alley, where dinner was held and our trophy was presented to us.

It was a wonderful way to bond with our classmates during our last term at Oxford.

MBAT 2009

For starters, the EP project we have been discussing frequently came to a semi-close via the EP presentation: our opportunity to voice our projects and ideas to a panel of investors.  Some teams came away with ‘distinctions’ and others with good advice and ideas from the panel to strengthen the business offering and proposal.  All around it was a good experience and gave most of us a first glance at the world of VC panels and Entrepreneurial plans.  At the beginning of Week 0 of Trinity the papers are due and with that the EP project comes to a close.

On the eve of our last exam day Brasenose College hosted a dinner for the MBA class.  This dinner was planned by MBA students and was a great success and gave students the opportunity to ‘blow-off’ steam from the exams and the exam preparations.  Inevitably there was discussion about exams and specific questions- but we tried to focus on the break to come.  The night started off with a Champagne reception followed by a 4-course meal and ended with Port and cheeses.  Some of us continued the night at Oxford’s pubs or dance venues.

The following day I was off to start my packed post-Hilary travel schedule.  This began with a one-week trip to Paris, followed by the UAE student Trek (Details available in my Trek blog) to Dubaiand Abu Dhabi, followed by Cyprus, where I spent the Greek-Orthodox Easter with family.  A packed holiday- just long enough to recharge my batteries for the exciting term to come. 

All indications have this term pegged as the most exciting one- it includes MBAT’s, our six chosen electives, formal balls, job interviews, spring athletics, and many other events we just didn’t seem to get around to in our past two terms.

I have joined a trading ‘game’ with some of my classmates, prompted by the Finance OBN. Oxford Business Networks, OBN’s, are our student interest groups that include: Management Consultancy, Energy, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Women In Business, etc.  I must say, due to the market and my trading ’skills’ my portfolio is not performing as well as I would have hoped. Still, it’s fun to practice with ‘play’ money.  During my undergraduate program I participated in a similar game- so it’s good to brush off the cobwebs.  Still, I think I’ll stick to other forms of investing.

In the next two weeks, those attending MBATs in France will sign-up and claim their place in the yearly event. Practices are held throughout the week and weekends for the various sports.  Unfortunately, the organizers have decided against hosting Women’s Cricket one of the sports I had begun to train for.  I am most positive we will have a wonderful time participating in the other athletic events and social hours. 

 As soon as exams end, I am off to Paris via the Eurostar, then Dubai with the Student Trek, then Cyprus for a traditional Greek Easter. I can not wait!

Union

As a lifetime member of the Oxford Union I enjoy many privileges including but not limited to access to debates, speeches, the Union library, the Member’s bar and many money saving offers.  This Thursday, I attended the Oxford Union debate entitled “This house believes that promiscuity is a virtue not a vice.”  Guests included Joani Blank and Andrew Burnham, Bishop of Ebbsfleet.  It was quite an interesting debate and I enjoyed the experience of sitting in the chambers.

Joani Blank, Oxford Union

 Though the class is very open and most of us feel a general sense of camaraderie, I feel quite lucky to have made some very good friends in the short time I have been in Oxford.  Friendships are important, given many of us have left family and loved ones behind, and forming a ‘family’ of friends truly helps us through those rough patches and difficulties.  With so many individuals from all walks of life this program provides enrichment for the mind and soul. Whether it’s grabbing dinner, a movie, or just a nice long walk around the city there are many things to do with the new friends one makes here in Oxford. 

Last night, for example, we held a small Greco-Russian feast complete with Spanakopita, Pancakes and Fish….Delish! And the night before I was hosted for formal hall at Pembroke College.

The night before I was hosted for formal hall at Pembroke College.  The College dining experience is really a treat, and regardless of the college provides students with a way to ‘host’ friends from the MBA program and meet new friends from other disciplines.  It is not often you share a table with a doctor, a lawyer, an anthropologist, and an economist (wait, that sounds almost like a bad joke is to follow ).

Paintings at Pembroke College

As a closing, personal note, I would like to quote the great pop singer George Michael, “Freedom!”

Nearing the end of Week 3 and I can not believe I have already been a resident of the UK for 5 months. The time has flown by! Another 5 weeks of classes left, then Review week, then Exams week. This Spring break will be quite special as many fellow MBA’s will be on their way to Spring Treks- organized by special interest groups. Destinations include Silicon Valley, San Francisco, China, Africa, and my trek of interest Dubai and the Emirates. Some groups have specific industries of interest while other are interested in a specific region but in a wide array of industries.

 Classes/EP:

This Hilary term we must take five classes rather than the six ‘foundation’ classes we took last term.  Results for last term have yet to come out yet, so… fingers crossed! Core classes include ‘Operations Management’ and ‘Developing Effective Managers’. The electives I have chosen include: ‘Financial Management’, ‘Global Strategy’ and ‘Customer Insights’. The reason behind the five classes this term is our Entrepreneurial Project. The entire MBA class divides itself into groups of five and each group pursues a business idea. These efforts culminate in a presentation to a VC panel as well as a formal business plan that is to be turned in for assessment.

Careers Events:

As the Chair for Careers, a liaison role between students and our Saïd Business School Careers team, I am involved in meeting with our other careers representatives, the careers team, as well as the Student Advisory Board to discuss a number of topics related to careers and the Saïd Business School. I have attended a number of events already this term. The Chairman and former CEO of United Technologies Corporation, Mr. George David visited the Business School as a speaker in the Distinguished Speaker series. Mr. David attended with executives from UTC’s business units.  After the lecture a group of MBA’s were invited to the boardroom for dinner with the School’s guests. It was an evening of open conversation, good food, and discussions related to opportunities for our MBA’s. McKinsey, Deutsche Post World Net and British American Tobacco are also among those that have given recruiting presentation. These companies and those that visited during Michelmas term have shown a direct interest in hiring our MBA’s for full-time and internship positions, very promising given the… Financial Crisis….  

 Extracurricular:

Outside life at the Saïd Business School there have been a number of events for every interest. From the Bollywood Bop, where one of our own performed for the attendees, to Chinese New Year, a feast of Chinese food for 4 pounds (!), the Doctors and Nurses Bop, Sports practice (for the MBAT), Cinemas, College Dinners and Welcome Drinks at Duke of Cambridge pub in Jericho, to name a few… And last but not least…we got snow… two days of it!!