A foreigner's MBA (and related) adventures in the "Big Apple"

Friday, August 31, 2007

Officially...MBA2

NY life seems to kick off. I have finally met with a bunch of friends and class mates after the long summer. It feels good to see the people again and to exchange summer internship experiences and stuff.

People seem to be rather happy about their summers. I feel a little envious about the guys who have already secured full time offers after their summer. I knew I was not gonna get any before I started with my internship since it isn’t common practice at the company, nor within the industry, so I was aware that the whole recruiting process would start over gain for me in September. I have just taken a look at the website of the career services’ office and in the next three weeks there will be 20+ companies coming over only to recruit MBA2s… you got it, mostly banks and financial services companies…pressure and doubts also start over again…

I have also seen around the new Stern class, the class of 2009, slightly larger than my class. In total, around 440 people, 10% more than last year…they hardly fit in the rooms!! I can’t believe that a year ago I was standing in their shoes. It’s been a little shocking to see their talent show performances (while we MBA2s drank beer…it’s a tradition that last year I swore I wouldn’t follow but in the end…) and even more shocking to be part of a panel advising these guys about how to do certain things.

Last year I was not very confident about MBA2s’ advice since it seemed like just for the sake of being MBA2s they were right, and they weren’t always. Thus I am determined this year to keep a very low profile when participating in these kinds of workshops, events or whatever. I will just tell my experience, what worked and what didn’t work for me, which does not necessarily mean that is right or wrong… By the way, sit on a chair as an “expert” (when you are not!) in front of 75 people is not an easy thing. I had never done such a thing before but it is part of my self imposed tasks to improve my speaking in public. It didn’t go too bad in the end!!

Enough for today!

New season: first night out

First night out of the new year in NY. I am a little tipsy although it’s only 1:18 am. I haven’t had much for dinner and after three beers and two jackies&coke I am just ready to go to bed…just to get some sleep. The so called “Little Apple” Spaniard singer (inspired my in-love friend “The Chicken”) will stay with me while I write this post.

The night has been quiet but fun. First I have gone to visit some friends’ new apartment in Gramercy. The place is awesome and it has extraordinary views of the Metlife and Chrysler buildings. These guys can even see the view from their beds, so there is no need for them to talk about the moonlight… no excuses this year…

Then I have headed south to meet with a French friend of mine who has been around for a month or so for a training course with the bank he works for. The meeting point was a pretty good venue, next to the place where I used to live during my first months in NY. As I was approaching the door the bouncer has asked me if I was coming for any specific party (I hate bouncers so much…what the fuck, I was just coming to have some fun, regardless the “party”!!) and I have told him that I was “with the JP Morgan guys”. Obviously, he has let me in. It was true but it’s ridiculous the way it works.

The talent was not bad at all inside. However, it was just my first night out and I was not in the mood for much. I just wanted to hang around with my friend and have a “quiet” drink. It’s kinda funny to see how the guys that rule the markets get wasted…everybody does, right?

I have come back home walking. It’s still early and most of the places in Alphabet City are still packed. But a long weekend lies ahead of me so I’d better get some rest. This is just the beginning…once again.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Staten Island

There’s only one left! After today I can say that the Bronx is the only NY borough that I have not visited yet. The other four (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island) have been crossed out from my list.

At 1 pm today, after reviewing emails and the daily news, I have taken a book and headed to the Staten Island Ferry, nearby Battery Park. I have jumped on the boat and leaned against the bar looking to the west. On my way back I have done the same thing but looking to the east, so that I could capture all the view.

The trip to Staten Island is short, roughly 20 minutes. However, in a sunny day like today, it’s worth it. It’s amazing to see the NY and Jersey skylines from the sea. The picture capturing the whole of them is unforgettable. I will have to return, though, once I buy a camera...NYC seems less impressing from the water and such sensation becomes more apparent as the ferry moves forward. On the contrary, the Statue of Liberty on one corner of the Ellis Island appears more shiny than from Manhattan. It’s just a matter of perception, I guess.

Once in Staten Island, I was determined to take a look. The first impression is that it’s a rather residential place, with very few shops and restaurants… and very few people!! There was nobody in the street! Before getting completely lost I have asked a man about somewhere worth seeing to go. He as advised to walk around a mile from where I was; then I would find a museum and some nice restaurants and stuff. After more than 40 minutes walking I couldn’t see anything… except for the fact that I was the only white guy around and the only one who had difficulties in understanding the hip hop songs played loudly in the stereos. Trouble was the last thing that I wanted so, after a while, I have decided to come back to the ferry for a quiet coming back home.

Although you may park your car all day for 6 bucks at a car par and for the whole month for 100 bucks… would I live in Staten Island? Don’t think so…

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Time Out



I have finally been able to re-hook up my awesome speakers and subwoofer with my labtop and the warm and rhythmic music by the Brazilian band Tribalistas inspires this Tuesday night. Check out below one of my favorite songs, Velha infancia.


I have been flipping some Time Out magazines today. It’s my only subscription in the US. Time Out New York (or TONY, as it is usually named). Time Outs for another cities such as London, Barcelona or Dubai are issued. Check them out online @ http://www.timeout.com/ if you are planning a trip!

TONY is issued on a weekly basis and, thus, I have found 15 different magazines upon my arrival in NY. Far too much information all of a sudden. I am aware that a lot of the stuff in those past issues is now worth nothing. However, at the same time, I feel like I will be giving away a lot of interesting stuff if I did not skim through them.

For instance, today I have known about the Film Forum, only a few blocks away down in Houston St. I can believe that I had not known about it before. It’s about indie films, from both nowadays and past times. A few weeks ago Manhattan by Woody Allen was shown…I’d have loved watching it again in NY! The idea of having a two-movie session some random evening in the very heart of the Village won’t vanish until I go for it. Fortunately, I won’t have to wait until the next summer since movies are shown all year round.

Tomorrow I have decided that I am gonna enjoy the city, as another tourist. It’s something I have not done much (if not at all) since I first arrived. Take the ipod and visit some nice places. Take a book a lay somewhere to enjoy the NY summer. It sounds good, doesn’t it?

Ciao

Jet lag

I can’t believe I am writing this from NY…again. It’s been a day right now since I arrived at my place in the East Village after a horrible trip. Thanks a lot Air France!!!

Just a sequence of my trip back yesterday:
130 pm (Paris time): departure from my hometown to Paris Charles de Gaulle
300 pm: timely arrival in Paris. No Air France shuttle is waiting for me and other passengers (and our luggage) with tight flight schedules. I rush to the terminal building and run across the airport to make it to another terminal, pass passport and security controls and make it to the gate.
325 pm: stressful (and sweat) arrival at boarding gate, 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
355 pm: still in line for boarding
430 pm: sit down in 19E. A elderly woman starts some small talk. I try to deep breathe… I also notice that the plane is rather old, which means no individual entertainment onboard.
530 pm: take off
1245 am: we approach JFK for landing. When we are a few hundred meters away, the plane goes up again. General panic and complains.
130 am: after some long and annoying turns around the airport, we land.
210 am: I arrive at the immigration booths. It has taken us more than half an hour to park the damned aircraft…
300 am: I make it through immigration. The slowest line I have ever experienced when coming to the US.
320 am: my suitcase does not come out.
321 am: I manage to see a board with my name on it. A lady reports that my suitcase did not make it. I am referred to the lost baggage office.
330 am: after making it through customs and a rather annoying woman trying to jump the queue, I am informed that my luggage has been located and will be delivered on the morning after. I have no right to an indemnity b/c “I live in NY” (!)
400 am: after taking the airtrain I jumped on the subway.
520 am: home sweet home.
600 am: I manage to fall asleep.

Seven hours later my phone wakes me up. A van with my suitcase is downstairs. I wake up and pick it up. I can’t sleep any more.

Well, probably this was not what I expected from my first hours back in NY. Airlines can make our life really miserable. It’s after midnight already and I don’t feel sleepy. I have always jiggled about soccer players claiming how affected they are by jetlag when traveling far from their countries. I have never been very affected by it, but, honestly, from today on I will trust the Ronaldinhos of the world a little more.

Ciao

Friday, August 24, 2007

Home

It’s Friday evening and I have a little bit of a hangover. Not much, though. Yesterday I went out in my hometown. The yearly festivities are taking place, and although the rain has pretty much spoilt them so far, I have had a lot of fun. I have made it home at 830 am after spending most of the night with a couple of girls that I met… For a moment, I thought that I was in NY meeting new people hahaha!

The festivities or fiestas have always been a lot of fun and they remain the same. It feels even better to come back when you live somewhere else. It’s great to catch up with friends, party hard, enjoy the pintxos (high-end tapas) and so forth. This year it has even been better b/c a couple of foreign friends, an American and an Aussie, came over for a few days and I really enjoyed showing them around, seeing their astonished faces and hooking them up with chicks. I have been a pretty good host, I reckon… J

I have only been awake for a couple of hours yet and in a couple of more I will have to get ready to party again. Today it will very likely be my last night out since I will be in need of some rest tomorrow before leaving for NY on Sunday. Time for a few more drinks and a few more laughs with my friends before my departure. I am sure it’s gonna be worth it.

Btw, some great news have come along. Me and my friends will soon become “uncles” since one of my very good friends and her wife will have a baby in April or so. On the other hand, I am so happy that I will be one of a great friend’s best men at his wedding in October. The “penguin suit” is on its way!! There is also time for some serious in fiesta time!!

Ciao

Friday, August 10, 2007

See you Mickey!!


I am done with my summer internship. Two parts of the MBA are gone already and “only” the second year is left. Only three weeks away.

Not long ago I decided to pursue – or at least try – a career in media, make a career switch, although I was not very sure that it would be feasible given my background as an attorney. However, now I am feeling more comfortable, determined and motivated to do so. I hope this feeling won’t vanish.

And the main reason for that is the great internship I have just finished at Disney. I had some expectations when I accepted the offer: the kind of work, the responsibility, whether I should make coffee for everybody… and some fears too: whether I would be able to work in media w/o previous experience, whether I would enjoy it, whether I would fit inside Winnie’s costume; in sum, whether the path I had chosen was right. Now I have clearer mindset, as I said before. I have earned credit for my own benefit at least for a few months. It’s time to give it a go!!!

I don’t know if I have learnt a lot (I have learnt some, for sure) but I have realized that I can make it in this industry. Moreover, my bosses have told me so, which is by far more important. One may have self confidence but if the ones deciding think the other way around there’s nothing left to do. And this is my main takeaway after three months.

But beyond that, there’s another thing: the people that I have met. I dare to say that I am leaving a nice bunch of friends at the company. They have made me feel at home from the very beginning and that’s extremely valuable. I mingle with people and adapt rather easily to new places. I was obviously aware that I was getting alone. However, after today’s farewell where many of my colleagues have come over to have a drink and a snack and to give me some goodbye presents, I have definitely realized that, from a personal standpoint, I could have definitely stayed. I hate farewells. Don’t get me wrong, today’s one has been beautiful. However, it’s been sad at the same time. I haven’t shed a tear (as some of my work mates were requesting!) but it’s been sad. If you think about it, it’s amazing how many people you get to know in three months. I think I hadn’t realized until today…

Anyway, another stage is about to finish. I will now leave for a week with my parents and then for another week back to my city to enjoy the festivities. Then, it will be time to start the final stage in NY. I am looking forward to it although I know it’s gonna be tough in terms of finding the dream media job in the US. But, as of today, I am confident. Thanks Mickey, I owe you!! Who knows, maybe this is just a “see you soon”…

Ciao

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

First farewells...again

I feel like I am re-living what I lived around a year ago, right before leaving for NY. At that time I was about to leave my country, my friends, my family…it was a bittersweet time. On the one hand, leaving to do what I desired the most. On the other, leaving people behind me, at least temporarily.

A year later I was back, unexpectedly. That was almost three months ago. Time has gone by really quickly. As one of my roommates was telling me a few hours ago before he left for Croatia for his summer holidays (I won’t see him again for a long time unless he comes to NY, and he has promised so!), that’s a sign that these three months have been ok. I’d say more. They have been exceptional.

I will only refer now to the personal side, though. It’s true that many things have changed in the last year, many more than I expected when I first left for the US. People around me are, let’s say, in a quieter mood. This is a trend with peaks and valleys in young people’s life and peaks will come back…or maybe not b/c “young” becomes less and less applicable to us as we keep growing older. But I have really enjoyed these months. I have had the opportunity to spend time with my buddies, with my friends from my former work, with some other friends from other cities where I lived, even with my friends from abroad…and I have also met new friends. I have traveled around, I have enjoyed some cities and I have had lots of fun.

It’s been an amazing summer, much better than I initially expected. I am alone at my (i.e. my friends’) place now. My roommates are all gone. They have left for their respective holidays and I will be the one locking the door when I live in three days. What a paradox. The one who was “occupying” the apartment will shut it down. I feel a little lonely. It’s something reasonable, I guess.

But I can’t complain at all. I have to look at the positive things of the last three months, which are many. And more adventures and challenges are just around the corner…it’s just a matter of time.

Ciao