Archive for category virginia tech
Fall 2009
Posted by veetrag in life, virginia tech on December 24, 2009
Exams are over, projects are complete, presentations completed and grades are in, that means finally the time of year I have been waiting for. This has been a tough semester considering the time and effort that needed to be put in. I took some extra credits following my motto of ‘learning’ but it showed me some tough times. Finally its over with a big bang (or snow storm as generally called) and I am happy that I survived well in this.
Most important class for this semester was Acquisition and Alliances, this class gave us a framework to analyze any business. At the beginning of semester, I had no idea how to analyze businesses. My only understanding was from reading a lot of newspapers and blogs, but most of them dealt with hi-tech industry and were not in depth. Professor had to struggle a lot improving us on it, but eventually I have this framework embedded in my head that will help me analyze any business. I would recommend this class to every business student.
Rest of the learning came from projects we did. Most importantly was a business plan to sell Oak Additives. Lesson learned was even a brilliant idea takes tonnes of hard work to realize it. Two of us in team had no idea about wine industry, its making or anything even remotely related to it. But hard work once again came in handy and the plan we submitted was a jewel and the same story continues for rest of projects.
I can call this semester as ‘semester of planning’ because I wrote three plans – Business Plan, Marketing Plan and Project Plan. These plans were very helpful in understanding of what I have learned and how it applies in real life. Best part of these plans/semester was I finally understood how all the things I learned in last two semesters converge to form a proper knowledge body. Now I have understanding of interconnections between different subjects and theories that form foundation of those subjects. I feel finally I have moved from ‘information’ to ‘knowledge’ and final step of ‘wisdom’ is remaining.
Many a times in group projects things got out of control- having a big team, managing everyone’s expectations, setting goals, meeting deadlines, etc. It was very tricky, but as cliche goes ‘in real life we would we working with a lot of different types of people’, so it required a lot of adjustments. Having one good friend in team with who you have complete understanding helps a lot. Not just in adjustments but also helps to clarify goals, to concentrate on goals, to keep on track and sometimes venting out frustration. One friend once reiterated the same by the comment “One needs a friend to survive MBA!”
Overall it was a great semester with great friends. Surely it was not a smooth ride but that’s the joy of ride, who would like to ride a roller coaster which does not have ups and downs. Thanks to all the friends for such learning experience, all the rides in and around campus, wonderful time, memories and being nice.
MBA Diary: Friends
Posted by veetrag in virginia tech on May 18, 2009
(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 
We are VIRGINIA TECH
Posted by veetrag in virginia tech on April 16, 2009
Nikki Giovanni after the Virginia Tech Massacre:
We know we did nothing to deserve it. But neither does a child in Africa dying of AIDS. Neither do the invisible children walking the night away to avoid being captured by a rogue army. Neither does the baby elephant watching his community being devastated for ivory. Neither does the Mexican child looking for fresh water…We are Virginia Tech…We will prevail.
This is a very inspiring poem and tells us to move forward. Here is the video
Proud to be a Hokie! we will prevail!
Fall 2008
Posted by veetrag in virginia tech on December 27, 2008
A semester completed, quarter of MBA completed and I look back trying to figure out what has changed. It feels great to be a student again, specially after taking break for few years. 
The best thing I like about this place is emphasis on practical knowledge. Whatever I have studied before was lacking in this, we might be studying the best in the world but if I do not learn how to handle real world scenario, it involves a lot of hard work when we face the problems. And I guess an MBA program should be like this only, where we learn mostly based on real world cases and situations. Our professors were great too, bringing a lot of industry experience and preparing us for the world.
Second thing I liked was flexibility in the program, I had multiple options in selecting subjects, professors, timing and sometimes the exam type. These options definitely help student a lot in exploring new fields and thus overall development. I even have flexibility to customize my MBA concentration, that is great.
Moving to US was interesting. I wanted to study in US, learn about the business from US perspective and I feel that I took right decision moving here. There are a lot of things to learn, a lot that it might take my many lives to do so, but I want to keep doing that. It could not have been possible with a lot of reading, interaction, sometimes you have to be at the place where most of the action is taking place. Luckily for me, the major economic downturn took place when I am in school, this taught us a lot of lessons and our professors really helped us to take positives out of it.
I joined SPPS – Student Publication Photo Staff and am learning more about photography here. My love for Sports and Photography got the perfect destination, am learning a lot of new stuff and want to be a Sports Photographer. Sally and Nick have helped me out of lot and have done few assignments with them at Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball and Swimming event. I was not aware of very simple stuff like, presence of ball in the frame, what reporters actually want and this place is helping me learn all this. I must say, go with the passion you have and there will be many opportunities to learn.
Moving to a new place always helps meet a lot of new people and I am always scared of that part. I feel good in a small space and do not mingle with people easily, but there are some good people and they always find me. Same happened here, I met a lot of good people from varied background. It was fun spending time with them, learning about new places, culture, history etc.
America is crazy about Football (not Soccer) and I got into the same colors. I love sports in any form, that is the real entertainment and that is why I enjoyed Football here at VT. Hokies are passionate about the place, game and everything here and now I am drenched in Hokie colors - maroon and orange.
Now waiting for next semester with new subjects, new professors and much more to learn, but before this enjoying these holidays. Happy Holidays everyone!
Football Season, I loved it!
Posted by veetrag in virginia tech on November 30, 2008
With today’s win against University of Virginia (UVA) football season comes to an end at Lane Stadium. Our team has qualified for ACC championship and will be playing some more away games. This was my first taste of American Football (though I had seen some movies) and I enjoyed it completely. Game day is one of the most exciting day for any Hokie (or I would say anyone from Blacksburg), the atmosphere is electrifying. Every game is a full house, even if is -6 degrees C, snowfall, rain – nothing stops the game [As my friends tell me, only in conditions of lightening the game will stop]. I have been to many cricket matches, but those were all international games and thus pulled so much attention, but this atmosphere is different.
Lane Stadium,VT Vs UVA
VT did not loose a single game at home turf this season (6 games) and they rarely loose here, just because of the tremendous support of fans. Here is a video that demonstrates the atmosphere of Game Day.
It was a lot of fun this year, am waiting for next season. Till then will concentrate on Basketball and other sports. Its all fun but if we do not go as a group it can suck a bit too,(specially if one does not know the rules). Thank to the Drew and Brett for arranging all this, it was fun.
Go Hokies!