Soon, all 39 crew from the ESMT Endurance Expedition 2010 will arrive at the “graduation harbor” in ESMT Schlossplatz Eins. About eleven months ago, we answered the call by Dean Wulff Plinke to take on the challenges of the ESMT MBA and to brave the “bitter cold, long months of darkness, constant challenges and no turning back” landscape.

Looking back at those eleven months, it was as described. We started off in the cold Berlin winter and through the first few months it was a period of adjustments. We were divided into eight groups, about four to five people per group from different nationalities. In a short period of one to one and a half month, we had to work together as a group for assignments and end-of-module project before we were rotated to different groups. Thus, within each short period with each group, we learned to work together as a team but also learned about leadership, conflicts or differences and camaraderie. But, through such intense moment, friendships were built.

There were never dull moments. While ESMT could be considered a “young” business school, it has shown all the potentials to be a great one in the future. The faculty came from various backgrounds and from some of the top schools around the world. I must say some of these professors made tough subjects seem easy and fun. What was important that everyone – the professors and staff gave their best to make our endurance journey a sweeter experience. In the end, I believe, it was how we, the students made the best of our one-year journey.

For me, this MBA experience met my expectations. When I set off on this journey, I wanted ESMT to be the place for me to experiment – a “safe” lab for me to try new things with the support of my classmates and faculty members. One thing I learned from my years in Toastmasters environment, that you and other members must create the environment where people is willing to share and learn from each other in a place where they know they could get constructive feedback and a helping hand to improve. I hope I have created that environment for my fellow classmates to share and learn from each other. For me, in the last few months of the journey, my four classmates and I worked intensely on our consulting project and master’s thesis – sharing and supporting each other by building on each other’s experiences in the telecommunications industry. In the end, the client was happy with the outcome and so did we.

For me, this journey was not only about acquiring new knowledge but also to experiment on soft skills. Besides working with people from different nationalities, I also experiment with different leadership styles. I varied my leadership roles – active and passive leadership, to being follower of other leaders. While I knew that I would be playing such roles through the eleven months, I was ever ready to receive any criticisms and feedback on my performance. All these were intended; as my classmates were better judges of my performance and behaviors than I was. It was all part of my MBA learning experience and get myself ready to face the corporate world again in the next few months.

In the end, I am happy with this Endurance Expedition. Together, the 39 of us have made it through the ups and downs of this one year MBA. As we collect our “honor and recognition of success”, and part ways, let’s us remind ourselves what a great Endurance Expedition the Class of 2010 had made. The real challenges still lie ahead of us, and I wish those who have found a job all the best in their new career. Hope it will be as exciting as the one we took this year. For those who are still looking, never never give up a great dream.

This will be my last blog as the ESMT MBA candidate. For the Class 2011, I wish you all the best in your “endurance” journey and make it a memorable one. For those considering your MBA, give ESMT a try. This young business school, with the support of 25 German companies and a dynamic faculty, is ever ready to give you the best MBA education; but, do set your expectations right and make the best of your time with ESMT. To all my readers and followers, a big thank you for your support and comments. Join me in my next journey in my personal blog: mytrainmaster.wordpress.com

For pictures of ESMT Endurance Expedition 2010: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=246102&id=750812956&l=fcd4eb6c77
 

Jimmy Low