Episode 8: Hello From Denver!
My parents and I at Daniels!
Click below to listen to My International MBA, Episode 8:
Or, you can read the transcript below:
Hello and welcome to My International MBA podcast, episode eight. My name is Helene and thanks for tuning in!
Wow, seriously two weeks have passed by and so much has happened since I last posted a podcast. I just got back today from an accepted graduate student event at Daniels. I got to meet some faculty, staff members, and classmates. It was good to mingle a bit before we start classes next month.
So in the past two weeks, I’ve done a lot of traveling. I spent time in Montana for a week; went on a scenic raft ride. Then, this past week I have been settling in here in Denver. Last Wednesday my family and I went to the new IKEA here in Centennial. The crowd is crazy, a mix of back-to-school and grand-opening frenzy. Anyway, most of my furniture is from IKEA, and the rest of my necessities are from Target. My family and I visited Target so many times this past week that I’m sure the employees recognize us by now.
My thoughts on Denver so far (since it is my first time to stay here for more than a day): luckily with the higher elevation I’m not having too much trouble adjusting to it, but I do feel the sun’s rays beating down on my skin a lot more harshly than when I lived in San Francisco and Virginia. I notice people are very friendly here. Yesterday, I went out walking for a bit and struck up conversations with a couple strangers. It didn’t feel awkward at all!
I’ve walked around campus a bit, but haven’t been to the northern part of the campus yet. Since my apartment is in the southern part of the campus, I’ve become acquainted with this area more. It’s quiet out this way, and I’ve been doing a lot of redecorating here. My roommate is not due to arrive until early next month, so we’ll see how things go.
For the next few days, I’ll be out running errands. Let’s see how much more I can get done with organizing my place so I can get going with school-related tasks.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave comments on the blog post transcript of this podcast. Also, if you are tuning in via Audioboo or iTunes, be sure to visit myinternationalmba.wordpress.com for today’s transcript and the previous episodes.
Take care and I’ll see you guys on Saturday!
Episode 7: Final Week Before Moving
Click below to listen to My International MBA, Episode 7:
Or, you can read the transcript below:
Hello and welcome to My International MBA podcast, episode seven. My name is Helene and thanks for tuning in!
My, oh my. Don’t worry, everyone: I’m not usually off-schedule like this. Today is Sunday, and if you ask me, this week has been pretty hectic. A lot of cleaning, a lot of packing, a lot of good-byes. Doesn’t really help that I feel so ready to get going with my classes yet also trying to focus on the present moment. Does that make any sense?
Anyway, I had a bit of fun with my statistics pre-course work this week. Binomial distributions! I know, it sounds scary by name, but actually, once I figured out how to work the formula, it was fun to work with. Something that I find intriguing from math textbooks is that they almost always have answers to exercises in the back, but only answers to the odd-numbered problems. Why not the even-numbered problems? Why don’t they get any attention? That’s kind of weird.
So, I have been learning a bit about co-working through following a few Twitter accounts. I am interested in doing co-working when I get to Denver, although I do know that I can do my studies for free on-campus (with co-working, you have to pay a fee). However, I do think co-working would be a good idea for when I want to do more company brainstorming.
Speaking of Twitter, I’ve received some feedback on this podcast. I do appreciate any kind of feedback, so, as long as you are being respectful, drop me a line on Twitter, Facebook, even on this blog! So let me know how I’m doing with this, and what else you want to know about the International MBA life, or life in Denver.
So here’s a question I’m posing for you guys for the next time: What kind of foreign language do you want to learn? The language can be either for business or leisure reasons. I would prefer a slant towards Asian or Middle Eastern languages for the purpose of my research.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave comments on the blog post transcript of this podcast. Also, if you are tuning in via Audioboo or iTunes, be sure to visit myinternationalmba.wordpress.com for today’s transcript and the previous episodes.
Take care everyone. Special note today: I will be traveling for the next week or so. Therefore, no podcast episodes until August 9. That will be a week after I have moved to Denver, so it should be a pretty special episode. Tune in, Tuesday August 9!
Until then, enjoy the rest of your July!
Episode 6: A Few Non-DU Updates (Denver-related!)
Dir en grey in Englewood, 2008
Note: I spoke a bit loudly into my mic for this episode. Make sure you don’t have your volume up all-the-way. I don’t want to make your ears bleed.
Click below to listen to My International MBA, Episode 6:
And, for those who prefer to read, here is the transcript:
Hello and welcome to My International MBA podcast, episode six. My name is Helene Kwong and thanks for tuning in!
Yes, today is Wednesday. This is the final week left before I go out West, so I’ve been in a strange mood since yesterday. It’s kind of like I’m a ghost wandering around.
Well, I am moving along in my pre-course work and my packing. My sister and I just packed a large box of my winter clothes last night. Tell me, Denver people, does it really get so cold that I need so many jackets? Because I have a lot!
So, looks like since I will be moving in earlier than other incoming grad students, I will be able to get my Pioneer ID card early as well. Yay! So I will be able to use the fitness center on-campus and also start checking out books from the library. Those are big pluses. Yay~
Have to say, as an aside here, that Twitter has been quite a big help for me to connect with Denver locals. I have already exchanged messages with a few Denver residents and they are making my transition a lot smoother.
And another random piece of news: my favorite Japanese rock band, Dir en grey, is returning to the US for a tour later this year. I believe they had a tour last year but I missed out since I was recovering from my accident. This year, I might as well enjoy this concert more. They will be in Denver on December 20. Maybe this time around I can actually meet the band members and talk with them.
Yes, this episode consisted of not so much school-related news, but that’s okay. I will have a lot more information to share with you all once I get to Denver.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave comments on the blog post transcript of this podcast. Also, if you are tuning in via Audioboo or iTunes, be sure to visit myinternationalmba.wordpress.com for today’s transcript and the previous episodes.
Take care and tune in again on Saturday for the next episode!
Episode 5: Pre-Course Work Progress
Walking in Englewood, 2008
Click below to listen to My International MBA, Episode 5:
And, for those who prefer to read, here is the transcript:
Hello and welcome to My International MBA podcast, episode five. My name is Helene Kwong and thanks for tuning in!
Wow, can you believe it is already the fifth episode? Definitely a lot has happened in this first half of July.
Since Tuesday, I have been doing a lot of pre-course work at home. This is a list of what I need to work on before classes on September 12:
- Read three articles/excerpts and watch one video for BUS 4610, The Essence of Enterprise
- Read Modules 1-3 in Financial Accounting for MBAs textbook and do practice problems for ACTG 4610 Financial Accounting and Reporting
- Read Chapters 6 & 7 and work on practice problems for STAT 4610, Quantitative Methods
Truth be told, the only required assignments are for BUS 4610. But since it has been awhile since I’ve done quantitative analysis & accounting, I figure a refresher wouldn’t hurt. And, I still have a little under two months before classes begin. So I am preparing myself early on.
I have no shame in admitting that I enjoy doing this work. Yes, making balance sheets, income statements, and the like is fun for me. I’ve also enjoyed reading through the material for BUS 4610. The more I read, the more I can’t wait for the first day of class! Also, I’m feeling very motivated from my pre-course work. My business ideas are slowly incubating right now.
In other news, I’ve started preliminary packing: two boxes are ready for shipping. My father said I should probably pack my winter clothing into a box for shipping as well, so we won’t have to worry about a ton of luggage fees when we travel.
Right now is that weird transitional state between the “old normal” and the “new normal”. I just don’t know how to feel. Of course I am excited and a bit restless to have everything happen already. But I keep reminding myself to “take it easy, one day at a time.”
If you have any questions, feel free to leave comments on the blog post transcript of this podcast. Also, if you are tuning in via Audioboo or iTunes, be sure to visit myinternationalmba.wordpress.com for today’s transcript and the previous episodes.
Take care and tune in again on Tuesday for the next episode!
Episode 4: Denver Plans Setting In!
Snowy campus, 2009.
Click below to listen to the podcast:
And, for those who prefer to read, here is the transcript:
Hello and welcome to My International MBA podcast, episode four. My name is Helene Kwong and thanks for tuning in! This is a “late-night” podcast because I’ve been cleaning alllll day. I’m actually pretty tired right now but I will go ahead and update you guys, as promised.
Lots of things happening these past few days and for the next couple of weeks! I have exactly two weeks left before I leave Virginia. Time is really really flying. I just can’t believe it. Sorry for the cliché!
So, already this week is bustling with news. Yesterday, I registered for my preferred cohort of classes, Cohort 111. Hooray! I lugged my laptop to the nearest Panera Bread and logged into the system right at 10am Eastern Time. So, looks like I will have two classes on Mondays and Wednesdays and just one class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The rest of the time I will be working in the DCB Graduate Admissions Office.
Today I received my Financial Accounting for MBAs textbook. And, I checked the Daniels Start website for any new information and looks like I have some Compass required reading/viewing to do before classes, too. There’s a Youtube video I have to watch that is 55 minutes long, so I will need to reserve some time to watch the video and take notes.
I’m quite anxious now, since I’m receiving more information AND because I am researching some extracurricular activities to do outside of school. I’m signing up for two 5K runs this quarter so to get myself back into the habit of running. I also hope to use a sewing studio and pottery studio if I can find the right facilities. Yes, it might sound crazy that I want to pursue more activities outside of classes & my work-study job. Might as well use all the available hours of the day to enjoy life in the Mile-High City, right?
If you have any questions, feel free to leave comments on the blog post transcript of this podcast. Also, if you are tuning in via Audioboo or iTunes, be sure to visit myinternationalmba.wordpress.com for today’s transcript and the previous episodes.
Take care and tune in again on Saturday for the next episode!
Episode 3: Information about Orientation & Classes
DU Campus Map
Click below to listen to the podcast:
And, for those who prefer to read, here is the transcript:
Hello and welcome to My International MBA podcast, episode three. My name is Helene Kwong and thanks for tuning in!
Today I have lots of news for you guys.
During Tuesday’s episode, I was just about to receive information from the Daniels College of Business about orientation, class registration, and Welcome Week. Later that evening I got a lot of the information, which overwhelmed me for the rest of the night. Luckily, right now, I’m pretty excited and content with what I’ve found out.
So, I found out how my classes are going to be like for these first three quarters (Fall, Winter, and Spring). Basically, I get to choose between three cohorts with different class times. A cohort is a group of both IMBA and regular MBA students taking the same core classes together. Each cohort has about 30-40 students, so I will be getting to know my classmates pretty well.
There are also some optional base camp sessions for my accounting and statistics classes. These sessions are helpful to review the material from these two subjects. Thankfully, I already have the textbook information for the two classes, so I went ahead and bought the books yesterday.
Funny thing about me and accounting: I took two accounting classes in undergrad and I fared pretty well. Even accounting majors were seeking help from me, Miss Marketing Major. They tried to persuade me to change my major but, for me, accounting is not a career path I am interested in.
Orientation is from September 6 -8 for my degree, and dress is business casual. I look forward to finding out more information from these three days. Also, on September 10 all Daniels students are invited to “Daniels Day at the Rockies,” a special picnic and baseball game for us to enjoy! I do believe this will be my first time to attend a professional baseball game, so I am excited.
Last but not least, I was also required to complete some online assessments before August 19. I’m ahead of the game again since I did these two assessments on Thursday evening. Yes, I am eager about school since I have been waiting for this these past two years. Of course, this new chapter in my life is also nerve-wracking, but I have faith that I will be able to learn a lot through this program.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave comments on the blog post transcript of this podcast. Also, if you are tuning in via Audioboo or iTunes, be sure to visit myinternationalmba.wordpress.com for today’s transcript and the previous episodes.
Take care and tune in again on Tuesday for the next episode!
Episode 2: My Career Path
DU Campus in November snow, 2009
Click below to listen to the podcast:
Download: my-international-mba-episode-2.mp3?audio_clip_id=405312
And, for those who prefer to read, here is the transcript:
Hello and welcome to My International MBA podcast. My name is Helene Kwong and thanks for tuning in! Today is episode two of my podcast.
In recent news: today I will be able to view information about my DU class registration & orientation. Next Monday, I will register for my Fall Quarter classes. Also, I found out about graduate housing: I will live on-campus in a 2-bedroom unfurnished apartment. I will be in contact with my roommate shortly.
In this episode, I’m going to explain how my career path led me to applying for business school. After I graduated from GMU, I had three major jobs while living in San Francisco. I first worked at an attorney’s office, then at a hot dog stand (you can read all about my hot dog vending days over at my main blog, helenekwong.com , under category “hot dogs”), and then I worked at a English as a Second Language (ESL) school as the administrative assistant and webmaster.
Throughout these three jobs, I learned about the different industries and what my strengths and weaknesses were. What really motivated me at the English school was how I was more involved in the administrative process. For example, I suggested new courses, after-school activities and a new Student Center.
The Student Center idea really catapulted my dreams into reality. Staff members and I created the Center, which brought a new dimension to the school. After we completed this project, I realized that I definitely had good ideas that people were willing to listen to. I knew I needed to expand upon that potential.
While I was researching DU in 2009, I had to choose between the International MBA and the regular MBA programs. Once I had a better idea of what I wanted to do with an advanced degree, I went with the International MBA because my business idea is more focused on overseas relations. The ‘International’ aspect of my program will help me with my business idea a lot more.
So there you have it, some more background information!
If you have any questions, feel free to leave comments on the blog post transcript of this podcast. Also, if you are tuning in via Audioboo or iTunes, be sure to visit myinternationalmba.wordpress.com for the transcript and more information about me.
Take care and tune in again on Saturday for the next episode!
