Many feels that 2 weeks here felt as if a term has passed. The extent of 'shake-ups' experienced differ for individuals, but probably few will be discount the impact of introspection created by the various debates on leadership, ethics and corporate social responsibility of business decision-making 'game' players, whom we obviously aspire to become by coming to INSEAD MBA, and the after-effect internalised through the orientation Outward Bound activities.
Some MBA applicants and newly admitted students may question what is the real value of INSEAD experience, in comparison to the many others which 'brand name' may be more prominent outside the MBA world, but sometimes mainly contributed by their other star faculties other than MBA, or by more pro-active marketing. After just 2 weeks here, I dare to say the learning and reflection only possible in our truly diverse environment is the most valuable (but perhaps under-valued) distinction for INSEAD.
One grows the most when placed in a challenging position outside the comfort zone.
While the transition could be tiring, I believe my school fee and opportunity cost will proved to be well invested.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Freecycle
Great way if you like to contribute to this dying earth or pick up something 2nd for free
http://www.freecycle.org/
http://www.freecycle.org/
The long-anticipated beginning
yes ! school will start officially tomorrow
Most of us here live at a house with many housemates. It promotes interactions and probably provides a great setting for house parties for which Fontainebleau campus is well reputated. So far, everyone (well..almost..) look courteous and approachable, as always at most first few social meetings.
The schedule for the orientation week seems manageable, and for most of us, the only concern is about going for Outward Bound team-building activity here in winter ! Temperature can drop to sub-zero sometimes and it would be fun to break the ice among us.
INSEAD class is divided into sessions of 75 students, and into allocated study groups of 5-6 students. With the release of the list recently, everyone is eager to 'learn more about the group mates' with whom we must stick together for the next 4 months for all core modules.
Good Luck !!
Most of us here live at a house with many housemates. It promotes interactions and probably provides a great setting for house parties for which Fontainebleau campus is well reputated. So far, everyone (well..almost..) look courteous and approachable, as always at most first few social meetings.
The schedule for the orientation week seems manageable, and for most of us, the only concern is about going for Outward Bound team-building activity here in winter ! Temperature can drop to sub-zero sometimes and it would be fun to break the ice among us.
INSEAD class is divided into sessions of 75 students, and into allocated study groups of 5-6 students. With the release of the list recently, everyone is eager to 'learn more about the group mates' with whom we must stick together for the next 4 months for all core modules.
Good Luck !!
Friday, December 7, 2007
INSEAD P0
I'm really in P0 of INSEAD now.
The amount of preparation work, administration work, current job handover is crazy. I will be glad enough if I could have 7-hour sleep a day.
The amount of preparation work, administration work, current job handover is crazy. I will be glad enough if I could have 7-hour sleep a day.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
A tragedy ...
I can't believe another tragedy happened again... It's a great loss to the INSEAD community...
link http://wimdebruyne.blogspot.com/2007/10/very-sad-news.html )
My deepest condolences to their family and loves ones... May the Lord be with them...
When one of the students passed away earlier this year, I remember how saddened his classmates were ... A few of his friends initiated a scholarship in memory of him, and I was deeply moved by such meaningful act. Am sure his classmates will always remember them in their special ways...
link http://wimdebruyne.blogspot.com/2007/10/very-sad-news.html )
My deepest condolences to their family and loves ones... May the Lord be with them...
When one of the students passed away earlier this year, I remember how saddened his classmates were ... A few of his friends initiated a scholarship in memory of him, and I was deeply moved by such meaningful act. Am sure his classmates will always remember them in their special ways...
For My Sweet Dreams
For my sweet dreams...if I could have...since the experienced wise ones always warn that time will be the rarest commodity at INSEAD :p
Housing search is another 'fun' process. How I envy those who has no budget concern :p
Fonty offers many beautiful chateaus and well furnished rooms to rent. For a city turtle like yours sincerely here, a spacious accommodation in proximity to the nature, not to the typical crowded places filled with air and noise pollution, seems so surreal.
Have contacted my French landlord using my very limited French, with English subtitle. Hope to receive a good news soon :)
Housing search is another 'fun' process. How I envy those who has no budget concern :p
Fonty offers many beautiful chateaus and well furnished rooms to rent. For a city turtle like yours sincerely here, a spacious accommodation in proximity to the nature, not to the typical crowded places filled with air and noise pollution, seems so surreal.
Have contacted my French landlord using my very limited French, with English subtitle. Hope to receive a good news soon :)
Financing a VERY expensive investment
They like to assure you that financing should be the last consideration when you plan to study at an ivy-league MBA
Everything will be resolved, so they claim.
(p/s. you most probably can't borrow to finance living expenses from a Asian bank)
Well, I manage to kinda solve mine... after much pulling of hair (mine..)and frustrations due to earlier miscommunication and misinformation ...
In the process, I have probably self-taught a mini-module on financing for a business venture with minimal capital :p, the importance of positive relationships and network (because the banks need co-applicants), and financial analysis of leveraging options (a.k.a loans...)
It is extremely important to obtain from the bankers ALL relevant information. Keep asking if there is anything they have yet disclosed, because from my experience, they somehow reveal gradually the terms and conditions, charges $$$ etc, perhaps so not to scare us poor students away?
Eg,
- Different processing fee may be applied for different number of co-applicant. The difference for the bank to just 'process' the loan can amount to over $1000.
- If you need a buffer for the loan amount approved to prepare for an unexpected drastic forex movement, what's the cost?
I was offered to pay an additional $400 admin. fee for such service. The cost is upfront and not refundable even if I don't eventually utilize that extra amount. Did some calculations and figured that it won't unnecessary for my case since my tuition fee instalments are all due within the next 5.5 months.
I applied a simple analysis of option pricing (in theory).
a) the buffer my approved loan amount already gives.
b) the maximum threshold for the exchange rate to rise beyond what my loan amount can absorb.
c) the estimated risk of such drastic forex movement between now and the last instalment.
d) estimated extra cost to be paid in cash. I used 2-3 rates to calculate my cost.
e) compare (d) with the option fee charged by the bank.
f) take into consideration of cashflow needs
Perhaps the following considerations would also be useful as you explore your options.
- If the bank requires the co-applicant (ie. guarantor who is required to disclose their income and liability) to be a family member, holds a residency status, is below a certain age, has a good income etc.
- If the bank allows your guarantor to have access to the loan account. May need to compromise on your privacy.
- Any penalty on refinancing or early redemption of loan
And, I recommend any loan owner to get insurance. It provides the co-applicant, who kindly agree to risk their asset and creditability with the bank, a better peace of mind.
Everything will be resolved, so they claim.
(p/s. you most probably can't borrow to finance living expenses from a Asian bank)
Well, I manage to kinda solve mine... after much pulling of hair (mine..)and frustrations due to earlier miscommunication and misinformation ...
In the process, I have probably self-taught a mini-module on financing for a business venture with minimal capital :p, the importance of positive relationships and network (because the banks need co-applicants), and financial analysis of leveraging options (a.k.a loans...)
It is extremely important to obtain from the bankers ALL relevant information. Keep asking if there is anything they have yet disclosed, because from my experience, they somehow reveal gradually the terms and conditions, charges $$$ etc, perhaps so not to scare us poor students away?
Eg,
- Different processing fee may be applied for different number of co-applicant. The difference for the bank to just 'process' the loan can amount to over $1000.
- If you need a buffer for the loan amount approved to prepare for an unexpected drastic forex movement, what's the cost?
I was offered to pay an additional $400 admin. fee for such service. The cost is upfront and not refundable even if I don't eventually utilize that extra amount. Did some calculations and figured that it won't unnecessary for my case since my tuition fee instalments are all due within the next 5.5 months.
I applied a simple analysis of option pricing (in theory).
a) the buffer my approved loan amount already gives.
b) the maximum threshold for the exchange rate to rise beyond what my loan amount can absorb.
c) the estimated risk of such drastic forex movement between now and the last instalment.
d) estimated extra cost to be paid in cash. I used 2-3 rates to calculate my cost.
e) compare (d) with the option fee charged by the bank.
f) take into consideration of cashflow needs
Perhaps the following considerations would also be useful as you explore your options.
- If the bank requires the co-applicant (ie. guarantor who is required to disclose their income and liability) to be a family member, holds a residency status, is below a certain age, has a good income etc.
- If the bank allows your guarantor to have access to the loan account. May need to compromise on your privacy.
- Any penalty on refinancing or early redemption of loan
And, I recommend any loan owner to get insurance. It provides the co-applicant, who kindly agree to risk their asset and creditability with the bank, a better peace of mind.
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