(A post from Roanoke Airport)
Nine months back, I was at the same airport, completing one part of journey and about to start as a business student. Till now it was a fun ride but the experience I had on Smartway bus was unpleasant. That discussion with few local people about foreign students and how things have changed in Blacksburg wasn’t very encouraging. I felt unwelcoming and out of place. I wanted to catch next flight back home and leave.
In next two days my idea about the place had changed. I was in Hokie Nation and things were different here. People I met at Cranwell International Center and Graduate Life Center changed that perspective. They were good people and made sure international students do not face any issues. I had not expected such a warm welcome and caring attitude 8000 miles away from home.
Classes had begun and I felt out of place. This was mainly because of my engineering background where I am used to see things in particular way expect solutions the same way. Over that my teetotaller and introvert natural were not helpful in mingling with people. I knew, I just had to give enough time and things will work out.
After that the journey has been pretty rosy. I met some good people and made great friends. I traveled with most of them, either in Sunshine State or chilly Wisconsin or just commuting to college and it was great fun. Different mix of people, some with great organization skills, athletes, experts, know-it-all, travelers, hard workers etc and that helped me learn something new, not just about them but lessons of life too. All this have helped me clarify my thoughts on many topics. People always tell that one learn a lot outside the class in business school, now I would completely agree with it.
MBA classes are very tough, not necessarily in what we do but the amount of work we have to do. This tremendous pressure can’t be handled single handedly, sometimes we just want to vent out our anger, sometimes we need help in coming out of situations, sometimes we are just unhappy with teammates, some ideas needs brainstorming and if we have some good friends this process becomes very easy. Testimonial to this is the comment made by a friend “One needs a friend to survive MBA!” One does not need help academically but the number of front one person is fighting at, can drive one crazy.
I am happy to have good friends here and wishing them a nice summer.
Blogger classmates – Alice and Matt, not my fault that only French blog 
