Model United Nations

Loving my time here at INSEAD. As you obviously know.

And one thing that was recently brought to my attention, once again, was the diversity of the population in dealing with ethical issues.

This was a story I was often told when I was first applying to INSEAD and I can tell you now it is quite true. A certain nationality turns to the class and starts a story, "As we were deciding on budgets for the fiscal year, we had to allocate at least 20,000 to operational expenses." Which insights a question, "Why can't you just reallocate that or thin some of the fat?" To which a student basically replies, "Because it is the cost of doing business in XYZ."

And then there's a moment that passes as the recognition sets in. The cost of doing business is essentially to grease the wheels.

Now before you start your holier-than-thou JUST take a minute and ask yourself a few questions... what is compensation really? What is a bonus? What are bonuses attached to "performance" and what kind of behaviors do they insight?

Oh, sorry, Behaviours. I need to keep a check on that.

My point exactly. You can spell it differently, but it is still the same thing.

SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT!

Anyhow, a thought I wanted to share that sent the class into a spin and made me think about my passion for Model United Nations. Somehow that passion had resurfaced when I started the b-school applications and HERE I am - in what I would argue is probably the most diverse place I will ever be in for the rest of my life.

And assimilate I will!

What? I'm in France. I need to eat desserts to assimilate!

The Heineken Experience

Amsterdam is known for many things.

http://www.heinekenexperience.com/wall-of-fame/singalong/C2D4E7E0329A7487F868F609CE6D0776

that will now be one of them :)

Did you know that there are smiling Es in the Heineken for a reason?
And did you know that the founder received an HONORARY degree from INSEAD? 

Recognizing True Potential, INSEAD.

So many "Did you know" moments here, so I will not bore you. Instead let me share some pictures!

I don't know WHO thought this would sell beer...

Bubbles fighting to get out!

Secret Potion: "A" Yeast

That's about all I have right now from this experience. It is worth it, definitely, and they even have these great gift ideas. If you like green, you'll enjoy it. If you like beer, you'll enjoy it. If you like randomness, you'll also enjoy it - at one point they put you in a room with a "ride" and turn you into beer. I kid you not.

Then again, what can you expect from a place where the breakfast menu options are the following:

English Breakfast

This was only 2 hours of the entire weekend. More to come! Pics and so on...

1983 - 2011

Not my life. But during my life. Almost precisely during my entire lifetime. India lifts the World Cup and I was able to watch the match Live here at INSEAD with my Desi brothers and sisters... cheering nonstop even when Sehwag and Tendulkar were out because THAT is the true Indian spirit. Believe in the team.

Go
All
OUT!

Congrats... Celebrations all 'round!

The final shot. Have a look.

FEVER...

Cricket Fever that is.
Yes, Cricket.

Now those of you that know me - and if you have this link you probably know me rather well - I don't really watch Cricket. I used to back in Bangkok with family because it was fun to watch it amongst family & friends or generally people of Desi origin. At Vassar we didn't have TVs. Since then, I just never tried to seek out Cricket matches.

Enter INSEAD.
Largest population of any nation: Indians. Add Pakistanis and others of Desi Origin who might not have Indian/Pakistani passports and you've got the closest to what you might call a "majority" loosely defined by "race" at INSEAD.

Last week, during the Pakistan vs. India match, the spirit was intense. It was contagious. It was nostalgic. It was patriotic. It was good fun. It was filled with friendly banter and the loud cheering so common of matches but peppered with Desi jokes, puns, slurs, slang - all the mish-mash you'd want from a game you're watching at home with a group of friends.

We had Romanians siding with Pakistanis. French asking about rules. Lebanese getting generally rowdy and trying to rile up the crowd. Canadians buying rounds of beers when a wicket was conceded. Italians, Spaniards, Japanese... you name it. The entire INSEAD community was getting involved. More like taken over.

And I felt the fever. I felt the funk through my veins. And I was glued, once more, to the match. Even during classes people were checking scores and Professors were very understanding. They understood the rivalry.

But I have to say, the "rivalry" was fought with so much fun and general sportsmanship that I don't think I've ever had such an experience. There was a lot of yelling and cheering and boo-ing but in the end, we were all genuinely enjoying watching the match together. Indians in Blue. Pakistanis in Green. Random strangers watching either match getting roped into sitting on a certain side and trained to yell at certain times.

Good times. Great times.

And now we have a match about to start in an hour or so. A bar in Fonty has agreed to sponsor food & drink specials while screening the match on their projector for the Indian community to watch our Cricket team lay a claim for the World Cup trophy - and I'll just say what's on everyone's mind. 21 years. 99 centuries. Is there any more pressure we can lay on the poor guy? Give him a break.

And try to remember - the trophies he has claimed and the life he has devoted to his nation before you get too excited or depressed by his performance. I genuinely hope he enjoys this match - takes a deep breath when he gets on the pitch - and gives it his best. It is what it is. At the end of the day, it is (dare I say it) just a game and one that should be played for the love of the sport.

Apologies...

i have not updated the blog recently. my sincerest apologies. since autobahn, a lot has happened - namely celebrating my 28th bday in Istanbul with my better half! what a great time we had... i must say. and those pics and updates will be coming shortly. i'm in the midst of writing a few posts, and apology for the delay.

hope you are well. please do get in touch with me to say hi and update me on life as well!