In a matter of weeks, I have become a Londonite.
I shop at Marks & Spencer and occasionally step foot in Primark (if I'm feeling brave)
I run in Hyde Park.
I play football in Regent's Park.
I enjoy my lovely charming flat tucked inside my quiet mews.
I can navigate the bus system and the tube with ease.
I order take-away instead of take-out.
I schedule events in my diary instead of my calendar.
I throw on a jumper when it's chilly out.
I talk in Celsius, kg, cm, and liters.
I carry an umbrella with me on even the sunniest of days.
I actually enjoy talking about the weather -- an exciting and popular topic here in London.
I use a 24-hour clock to tell time.
I use a drying rack; it will always be a mystery why my clothes are in the washer/dryer combo for 2.5 hrs and they come out soaking wet.
I bought a kettle to make coffee and tea -- and I actually use it.
I forgot what air conditioning is... does it exist?
I party in Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, and Oxford Circus.
I've got the whole of Europe in my backyard waiting to be explored... and I'm looking forward to it!
So with that said, where should I go on my first side trip?
A. Madrid
B. Florence
C. Budapest
D. Other
Thoughts?
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Hot off the Press
London Business School ranked top b-school outside US
The creator of BusinessWeek’s influential MBA rankings has named London Business School as the best business school in the world outside the US, in his new set of rankings.
John A. Byrne, editor-in-chief of business school community website Poets & Quants, cited the “stellar quality” of London Business School’s faculty and students, and how it has “smartly leveraged its location” in the financial centre of Europe.
The rankings were based on dozens of surveys and polls and amalgamate the findings of each of the five major MBA rankings – BusinessWeek, Financial Times, Forbes, The Economist and US News & World Report. This is a further accolade for the School, after it topped the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings earlier in 2010.
Joining London Business School in Poets & Quants’ top five business schools outside the US are Spain’s IESE and IE Business School, IMD (Switzerland) and INSEAD (France).
"In the past few years, London [Business School] has come on very strong, surpassing in prestige what had long been thought of as the best business school in Europe, INSEAD," said Byrne. "Because the student population and faculty ranks reflect an amazing geographic diversity, London offers the quintessential international MBA experience."
In the US MBA rankings, Harvard Business School took the plaudits, closely followed by Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.
Commenting on London Business School’s achievement, Professor Sir Andrew Likierman, Dean, said: “We are always proud to be rated well by independent commentators but never complacent about being well regarded. We are committed to excellence for our degree students and executive education clients and that means continuing to strive to do things better.
“I’m grateful for John Byrne’s comment about the geographic spread of our student and client bodies and our faculty. The figures show our global spread very clearly, and it’s important to us that this is also the spirit of the place, not just a set of numbers."
Created on 25 Aug 2010
The creator of BusinessWeek’s influential MBA rankings has named London Business School as the best business school in the world outside the US, in his new set of rankings.
John A. Byrne, editor-in-chief of business school community website Poets & Quants, cited the “stellar quality” of London Business School’s faculty and students, and how it has “smartly leveraged its location” in the financial centre of Europe.
The rankings were based on dozens of surveys and polls and amalgamate the findings of each of the five major MBA rankings – BusinessWeek, Financial Times, Forbes, The Economist and US News & World Report. This is a further accolade for the School, after it topped the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings earlier in 2010.
Joining London Business School in Poets & Quants’ top five business schools outside the US are Spain’s IESE and IE Business School, IMD (Switzerland) and INSEAD (France).
"In the past few years, London [Business School] has come on very strong, surpassing in prestige what had long been thought of as the best business school in Europe, INSEAD," said Byrne. "Because the student population and faculty ranks reflect an amazing geographic diversity, London offers the quintessential international MBA experience."
In the US MBA rankings, Harvard Business School took the plaudits, closely followed by Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.
Commenting on London Business School’s achievement, Professor Sir Andrew Likierman, Dean, said: “We are always proud to be rated well by independent commentators but never complacent about being well regarded. We are committed to excellence for our degree students and executive education clients and that means continuing to strive to do things better.
“I’m grateful for John Byrne’s comment about the geographic spread of our student and client bodies and our faculty. The figures show our global spread very clearly, and it’s important to us that this is also the spirit of the place, not just a set of numbers."
Created on 25 Aug 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Why London?
I get this question a LOT. Why uproot myself from the states into a foreign country and embark on an international MBA when there are so many fine institutions offering world renown MBA programs in the states? Why not join the ranks at Kellogg or Wharton or Columbia, etc? Well for one, as I've alluded to in other posts, London was the natural and obvious choice for me given my international work experience and hunger to explore the world. For another thing, when else in my life would I be able to pick up and move to London for 2 years? This was quite the unique opportunity. But beyond that, I wanted to grow and the best way to truly grow is to push myself outside my comfort bubble and expose myself to new cultures, places, and people. What better way to do that than take 2 years off of work and focus solely on my MBA at the top ranked global MBA programme? This type of growth - throwing ourselves into a new world - gives us all depth and will hopefully build my character and transform me into a more interesting and unique individual. There's a misunderstanding that the UK is a lot like the US. After all, we both speak the same language... right? But in fact, we cannot be more different... something I will further discuss in posts to come. So here I am. In London. Sometimes I have to pinch myself.
I have been meeting people like crazy here. Brazilians. Chileans. Egyptians. Canadians. Parisians. Brits. Spaniards. Aussies. Kiwis. Japanese. Chinese. Thai. and on and on. The backgrounds and diversity of the class makes for a great learning environment.
The first indication that we are all so very different was the initial greeting. Upon greeting someone new, I need to quickly decide what action to take: do I shake their hand? Go in for the 1-cheek kiss? Follow the 1-cheek kiss with a 2-cheek kiss? offer a half-hug? give a slight bow? perhaps a high-five? Every culture does it differently. Since it is Europe, I usually assume kissing of each cheek upon meeting someone new, but I often need to quickly assess how the person I am greeting will expect to greet me or it can make for a very awkward encounter... like once I assumed we would kiss cheeks and this was not the case so it ended up having this weird touch of our cheeks and um, well hello, hi, we just met, but err.. this is awkward. Oh Europe...
Onto other items... this week was orientation week... aka the week before classes start and the real learning begins. This week was mainly focused on getting to know each other, lectures from key departments at the school, and meeting our study groups. We have 401 students from 60+ cultures, speaking 45 different native languages, all coming together for a common purpose: to bond together and embark on this exciting 2 year adventure. We're broken up into 5 streams of around 80 people, and from there, into diverse study groups of 6. I'll complete all my core courses during the first year with my stream and all group activities with my study group. In order to get to know each other, we all headed to Reading (about an hour outside London) for a day of "camp" at a high and low ropes course. The challenges we faced were metaphorically connected to the challenges we'll face in our study groups throughout the year... we rocked climbed, pulled each other through a spider web, completed a low ropes course, and even climbed a tall telephone pole where 4 of us clutched onto each other at the top, standing on a small square foot platform. What I thought was impossible, ended up being possible as I had to reach for the hands of my teammates, close my eyes, and trust that they would pull me up! My study group could not be any more diverse. I'm joined by a guy from Russia, a guy from Tokyo, Japan, a guy from France, a guy from London, and a girl from Bangkok, Thailand. It'll be interesting to see how our different work and leadership styles blend together (or contrast). I also look forward to learning how to work with and communicate with these different cultures. We all took a class on harnessing international diversity today which gave me an insight into what I am in for. For example, we talked about what it means to be "on time." If told to be at a meeting at 10am, stereotypically:
The German employee will be "on time" at 9:45am
The American will be "on time" at 10am
The Brit will be "on time" at 10:05am, and
The Latin American will be "on time" at 10:15 or 10:30am
It goes to show how we all interpret something so differently. So much to learn!
I was talking to my French study group member about this today and he said that he always kissed his father upon greeting him. For if he ever shook his father's hand, oh boy... he would get in huge trouble. It's a much more affectionate culture, for sure.
Anyway, sorry for no pictures today... will try to upload some soon. I'm 2+ weeks in, but it seems like I've been gone from the states for much longer considering all the things that I've done since I've arrived. I am not one to get homesick, but sometimes I do deeply miss everyone in the states. Please call! Please email! Am I busy? heck yes. but I still have time to catch up :)
I have been meeting people like crazy here. Brazilians. Chileans. Egyptians. Canadians. Parisians. Brits. Spaniards. Aussies. Kiwis. Japanese. Chinese. Thai. and on and on. The backgrounds and diversity of the class makes for a great learning environment.
The first indication that we are all so very different was the initial greeting. Upon greeting someone new, I need to quickly decide what action to take: do I shake their hand? Go in for the 1-cheek kiss? Follow the 1-cheek kiss with a 2-cheek kiss? offer a half-hug? give a slight bow? perhaps a high-five? Every culture does it differently. Since it is Europe, I usually assume kissing of each cheek upon meeting someone new, but I often need to quickly assess how the person I am greeting will expect to greet me or it can make for a very awkward encounter... like once I assumed we would kiss cheeks and this was not the case so it ended up having this weird touch of our cheeks and um, well hello, hi, we just met, but err.. this is awkward. Oh Europe...
Onto other items... this week was orientation week... aka the week before classes start and the real learning begins. This week was mainly focused on getting to know each other, lectures from key departments at the school, and meeting our study groups. We have 401 students from 60+ cultures, speaking 45 different native languages, all coming together for a common purpose: to bond together and embark on this exciting 2 year adventure. We're broken up into 5 streams of around 80 people, and from there, into diverse study groups of 6. I'll complete all my core courses during the first year with my stream and all group activities with my study group. In order to get to know each other, we all headed to Reading (about an hour outside London) for a day of "camp" at a high and low ropes course. The challenges we faced were metaphorically connected to the challenges we'll face in our study groups throughout the year... we rocked climbed, pulled each other through a spider web, completed a low ropes course, and even climbed a tall telephone pole where 4 of us clutched onto each other at the top, standing on a small square foot platform. What I thought was impossible, ended up being possible as I had to reach for the hands of my teammates, close my eyes, and trust that they would pull me up! My study group could not be any more diverse. I'm joined by a guy from Russia, a guy from Tokyo, Japan, a guy from France, a guy from London, and a girl from Bangkok, Thailand. It'll be interesting to see how our different work and leadership styles blend together (or contrast). I also look forward to learning how to work with and communicate with these different cultures. We all took a class on harnessing international diversity today which gave me an insight into what I am in for. For example, we talked about what it means to be "on time." If told to be at a meeting at 10am, stereotypically:
The German employee will be "on time" at 9:45am
The American will be "on time" at 10am
The Brit will be "on time" at 10:05am, and
The Latin American will be "on time" at 10:15 or 10:30am
It goes to show how we all interpret something so differently. So much to learn!
I was talking to my French study group member about this today and he said that he always kissed his father upon greeting him. For if he ever shook his father's hand, oh boy... he would get in huge trouble. It's a much more affectionate culture, for sure.
Anyway, sorry for no pictures today... will try to upload some soon. I'm 2+ weeks in, but it seems like I've been gone from the states for much longer considering all the things that I've done since I've arrived. I am not one to get homesick, but sometimes I do deeply miss everyone in the states. Please call! Please email! Am I busy? heck yes. but I still have time to catch up :)
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Hi from London!
Hello to all of you who are stopping by my blog for the first time in awhile (or ever)! I will be using this space to occasionally post funny stories, quick updates, or photos of my adventures over the duration of my time in London. It'll be a great way to keep in touch with all of you! In addition, feel free to use my updated contact info below to get ahold of me:
email: lbailey.mba2012@london.edu or lauraebailey@gmail.com
Skype mobile (this US number rings to my UK phone): 612-235-6622
UK mobile: +44 7766170375
Stay tuned for pictures and updates!! xo Laura
email: lbailey.mba2012@london.edu or lauraebailey@gmail.com
Skype mobile (this US number rings to my UK phone): 612-235-6622
UK mobile: +44 7766170375
Stay tuned for pictures and updates!! xo Laura
Friday, August 13, 2010
London-izing Myself
I love this city! Every day is starting to feel more like home. There is an energy about this city unlike any other... the swarms of people from all over the world, every color, every nationality, every language... it's amazing, really. I've been busy getting acclimated... drinking espresso, daily pints at the local pubs, exploring my new 'hood, watching BBC news, looking left instead of right when crossing, trying to navigate the tube, etc. It's a big city, but already beginning to feel small. M and I can literally walk from LBS down Baker Street and see friends we know every time. We've met so many new admits as everyone's trying to get themselves "sorted" as they say here, so chances are good that we'll run into people at the vodafone store, the starbucks on Baker, the Pret, or any of the number of flats in the area. So glad M and I are basically the same person and have been aggressively tackling our to do list. We are on top of it... definitely a plus since there's so much red tape in this city. I mean, getting the new iPhone4 required a personal letter from LBS, a UK address, a credit check, and a UK bank account, not to mention the fact that we had to bride the vodafone staff with starbucks coffee in order to get them to import the only 2 iphone4 phones in the city from another store. but hey, it worked.
Did I mention we found the most amazing flat? So pumped. Here it is below! We LOVE it and got so lucky to find it after seeing so many dodgy places (yes, another Brit term - get used to it). We wired the money yesterday for 6 months rent, paid in full (required since we're students) Brilliant!
In other news, played real football in Regent's Park today with about 40 other LBSers. Only 3 girls showed up, but soccer is so big over here that the guys were pretty intense and fun to scrimmage with. I dusted off my football boots (er.. cleats) from back in the day and was able to show them all a trick or two. haha. no goals though. maybe next time. Then of course everyone went to the pub after for a pint. That's the London way. Everything we do, we head to the pub after, i swear. We've had flat hunters pub crawl every day this week, beginning at 6pm and running well into the night. It's basically like speed-dating for flat hunters, except all LBSers go whether or not you're looking for flatmates. its fantastic. Oh and I went to Whole Foods today. a slice of America is much needed from time to time. Brown rice sushi what what? so good. Oh and found an awesome frozen yogurt pinkberry type place as well. Anyway! Already so many stories.. where to begin. No time for those now, but I'll leave you all with a pic of new friends and I enjoying dinner in Covent Garden earlier in the week.
love from london! Laura
Did I mention we found the most amazing flat? So pumped. Here it is below! We LOVE it and got so lucky to find it after seeing so many dodgy places (yes, another Brit term - get used to it). We wired the money yesterday for 6 months rent, paid in full (required since we're students) Brilliant!
In other news, played real football in Regent's Park today with about 40 other LBSers. Only 3 girls showed up, but soccer is so big over here that the guys were pretty intense and fun to scrimmage with. I dusted off my football boots (er.. cleats) from back in the day and was able to show them all a trick or two. haha. no goals though. maybe next time. Then of course everyone went to the pub after for a pint. That's the London way. Everything we do, we head to the pub after, i swear. We've had flat hunters pub crawl every day this week, beginning at 6pm and running well into the night. It's basically like speed-dating for flat hunters, except all LBSers go whether or not you're looking for flatmates. its fantastic. Oh and I went to Whole Foods today. a slice of America is much needed from time to time. Brown rice sushi what what? so good. Oh and found an awesome frozen yogurt pinkberry type place as well. Anyway! Already so many stories.. where to begin. No time for those now, but I'll leave you all with a pic of new friends and I enjoying dinner in Covent Garden earlier in the week.
love from london! Laura
Monday, August 9, 2010
Day 1
First full day today in London. amazing day. Marilyn and I are on cloud 9. Started out flathunting all day long and were a bit frustrated at the reality that we'd have to live in an old/dodgy place, but low and behold we randomly agreed to view a 4 bedroom out of our price range at 5pm and it was the most amazing place ever! Walked in the door and were like this is it! it's in a mews (quieter off a side street) - a house rather.. kind of like a townhome. kitchen/living area - brand new refurnished is on the bottom floor - 2 BR on the 2nd floor, and 3 BR on the top floor. Marilyn and I will most likely take the top floor and we'll have Ben and unknown boy take the middle floor. 2.5 bath. unreal. had to take it on the spot. landlord accepted our offer and we put money down immediately. after the sh*t boxes we saw earlier in the day for basically the same price, we knew we had found truly a diamond in the rough. cannot wait for visitors! We move in in a week. location is between marble arch and baker street - perfect. 5 minute bus ride to LBS. best day ever and it's only day one!
Also ordered my iPhone4. it will be in stock tomorrow. can't wait. love from london. xx
Also ordered my iPhone4. it will be in stock tomorrow. can't wait. love from london. xx
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Dear Travelpro
Today is the day! I am leaving on a jetplane... don't know when I'll be back again... I've got a one-way ticket to London leaving this evening! I've got my UK visa, I've said my see-you-laters (in the form of around a dozen going away parties/dinners/drinks), my bags our packed, my blog is back in action, I am ready. It only took 12 vacuum packed space bags, 3 suitcases, 2 XXXL duffel bags, 1 backpack, 300 lbs of luggage, and plenty of blood, sweat, and tears to get here, but ya know what, it was worth it.
I am now putting my Travelpro suitcases to the ultimate test... I have stuffed and overstuffed them with everything American I can't live without. Now please please please make it to London fully intact... in need of some fairy dust from the airline gods!
See ya on the other side of the pond :)
Monday, August 2, 2010
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