Ariadna Peretz

For MBA hopefuls with aspirations to study in Asia, it often comes down to a simple question: Singapore or Hong Kong? In many ways the cities are similar—both offer world-class MBA programmes, the cities’ business landscapes are dynamic and inviting, and late-night take-out to fuel all-nighters is both cheap and delicious. It can be hard to make a choice.

In September, Which MBA? debated how Scotland's potential independence might adversely affect Scottish business schools. In the end the status quo prevailed and Scottish MBAs had nothing to fear. Just as the referendum’s result was announced, about half way around the world another struggle began: the Occupy Central Movement (OCM) in Hong Kong, also known as the Umbrella Revolution. The protest has since entered its sixth week. Eventually it will subside, but some worry that irrevocable damage… Mehr zeigen

In September, Which MBA? debated how Scotland's potential independence might adversely affect Scottish business schools. In the end the status quo prevailed and Scottish MBAs had nothing to fear. Just as the referendum’s result was announced, about half way around the world another struggle began: the Occupy Central Movement (OCM) in Hong Kong, also known as the Umbrella Revolution. The protest has since entered its sixth week. Eventually it will subside, but some worry that irrevocable damage will have been done to Hong Kong’s economy by the time life gets back to normal. Weniger anzeigen

I moved half way around the world to Hong Kong to be with the man I love, so there was no way I was going to study at a business school outside of the Fragrant Harbour. Given that there are only three business schools of note on the island—Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology and Hong Kong University—that meant researching which programme to attend did not take too much time or effort. You, on the other hand, may have no restrictions—love, financial or… Mehr zeigen

I moved half way around the world to Hong Kong to be with the man I love, so there was no way I was going to study at a business school outside of the Fragrant Harbour. Given that there are only three business schools of note on the island—Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology and Hong Kong University—that meant researching which programme to attend did not take too much time or effort. You, on the other hand, may have no restrictions—love, financial or otherwise—impeding your choice. If so, that means a whole lot of research. You may well be inundated with advice, but let me give you my tidbit anyway: do not limit yourself to the 100 schools that find their way onto The Economist or Financial Times lists. Weniger anzeigen

My graduation date is still a few months off but as of last week I’m done with my MBA. I’ve loved every day but I can’t lie, I was looking forward to the relief of finishing. No more school, no more books, and all that. Still, after my last exam I came home feeling a little queasy. My husband opened a bottle of champagne and that made everything better but that feeling has since come back and more accentuated. I think I have an MBA hangover.

Our graduation ball, held in late May, was a lovely affair, with lots of sharp suits, flowy dresses and photo opportunities. Before we sat down to dinner the outgoing assistant dean gave a speech in which he summed up the year. This year’s MBA cohort, he said, had succeeded in breaking some records and attaining many firsts: the largest number of international students, the highest ever representation at business school competitions around the world, the first case competition at our annual CSR… Mehr zeigen

Our graduation ball, held in late May, was a lovely affair, with lots of sharp suits, flowy dresses and photo opportunities. Before we sat down to dinner the outgoing assistant dean gave a speech in which he summed up the year. This year’s MBA cohort, he said, had succeeded in breaking some records and attaining many firsts: the largest number of international students, the highest ever representation at business school competitions around the world, the first case competition at our annual CSR conference, a four-day around-the-clock role-playing class…and the very first class-wide grade appeal. Weniger anzeigen

Most MBA students are used to giving presentations in class. But does this equip you for the real business world? In March, I and four other MBA candidates from the Chinese University of Hong Kong represented our school at the Hult Prize competition in Shanghai. Each year the Hult Prize focuses on a pressing global issue and crowdsources potential solutions. This year’s problem was non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the task was to use pre-existing means to reduce their toll on the world’s… Mehr zeigen

Most MBA students are used to giving presentations in class. But does this equip you for the real business world? In March, I and four other MBA candidates from the Chinese University of Hong Kong represented our school at the Hult Prize competition in Shanghai. Each year the Hult Prize focuses on a pressing global issue and crowdsources potential solutions. This year’s problem was non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the task was to use pre-existing means to reduce their toll on the world’s poorest people. Weniger anzeigen

Some aspects of an MBA course are reminiscent of life at the office—for instance, when the professor puts us in groups without our input. In the real world it is not unusual to find oneself working with unfamiliar colleagues from different departments. But in other ways, things at business school are quite different. For example, on group projects there is no boss.

At the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), there are two things our MBA professors say a lot: “Put your phones away!” and “Grades aren’t everything.” I must admit to not always following the first instruction, but I agree with the second piece of advice. An MBA presents conflicting pressures. It is an academically demanding degree, with a heavy “quantitative” component of finance and statistics, yet to prepare students for the real world it must force us to look beyond the very metrics and… Mehr zeigen

At the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), there are two things our MBA professors say a lot: “Put your phones away!” and “Grades aren’t everything.” I must admit to not always following the first instruction, but I agree with the second piece of advice. An MBA presents conflicting pressures. It is an academically demanding degree, with a heavy “quantitative” component of finance and statistics, yet to prepare students for the real world it must force us to look beyond the very metrics and management theories we work so hard to master. Weniger anzeigen