The International American Dream

It’s Wednesday afternoon. My plane is minutes away from landing at Logan International Airport, and I feel strangely calm. Boston, Massachusetts is right before my eyes, and Hult International Business School is just a short distance away. This hasn’t fully dawned on me. Maybe I’m just too sleepy. Maybe I’m just too hungry. Or maybe I’m simply overwhelmed by the emotional roller coaster the past few weeks have been. The Hult ride starts before it starts. At least it did for me. Now, my trip to Boston is coming to an end. I’ve been deep into my thoughts, and when I come back to reality, I’m standing with tons of luggage in the middle of the airport. I realize there is no way I can use public transportation to reach†¦home? I guess that’s what I should call the place where I’ll be living for a year. But how can you think of a house that you’ve never seen before as â€Å"home†? In case you haven’t noticed, the start of my Hult year could have used better planning. I exit the airport and take a taxi. After a few turns and a couple of tunnels, it happens: we’re riding across the Bunker Hill Bridge and I get a nice view of the city. It’s real. I am here. After weeks of stress and preparation, I have the honor and the privilege of enjoying this view, this city and the entire experience. We stop at a red light and I see a big American flag to my left. Like it or not, it symbolizes many things—like the American dream. We’ve all heard of it. Some say they come to the U.S. pursuing it. Some say it doesn’t exist anymore. Others say it never did. So what exactly is the American dream? In my opinion, there is no such thing as the American dream; it’s an idea that means different things for different people. Instead, I’d say there are many American dreams. Mine is special. It is both American and international. I look back at how it started while the trip in the taxi continues. It was 2010. I had a health problem that had kept me from studying or working for six months. At age 26, I felt like my life and my professional career had come to a halt. I felt like a complete failure. Then, I heard about a summer seminar in the U.S. It would give me the chance to spend one week at a university hearing lectures on political science and talking to college students from around the world. All I had to do was apply online and pay for my plane ticket. Neither my health nor my wallet were in good shape, but I decided to give it a try, get out of my comfort zone, and go for an international experience. It was the best decision I ever made. I spent a week with international students who were proactive, energetic and intellectually curious. There were young people from different countries and cultures exchanging ideas, values and mutual acceptance. We were budding professionals, gaining knowledge and experience in order to work for something bigger than ourselves to, simply put, build a better world. After that, I realized that as much as I love Mexico, one language, one culture and one country were no longer enough for me. I wanted that international experience again, and for me, the U.S. was the best place to seek it. It’s said that you attract that which you wish. It must be true, because soon after, I received a call from Hult International Business School. I accepted the opportunity because I believed it would give me exactly what I was seeking: the international American dream. I arrive at my new house half an hour after leaving the airport. I stand with my luggage in front of the house. It looks OK on the outside. I ring the bell and the door opens. It’s Paul, the youngest of my roommates. He welcomes me home and gives me a tour around the house. It’s a total mess. Not much furniture and pretty dirty. I should have expected it, and now I appreciate my room back home much more. Am I having second thoughts about this? Nonsense. I convince myself it will look better once we install ourselves. A few hours later I meet the rest of my roommates face to face for the first time. They seem very happy to see me and that makes me feel much better. We chat and have fun while we work to put the house in better shape. Paul cooks for all of us and we have a great time. We take a picture together, excited to start our MBA experience. I smile at the thought. I am a Mexican guy, in an American city, driven from the airport by a Polish driver to a house where I’ll live for a year with a Brazilian, two Nigerians and a Filipino. I want to become a citizen of the world. Living with these great roommates is just the perfect start. I wonder what dreams they came here to pursue, and I know I’ll find out sooner or later. There are many questions ahead. Where will we all be one year from now? What experiences will we have during our MBA at Hult? There is much uncertainty ahead. But I know something for certain: there will be laughter, tears, fun, frustration, lessons and self-development. And this, my friends, is what Hult is all about. It’s about leaving your comfort zone and embracing uncertainty. It’s about broadening your horizons and embracing a larger, multicultural world. It’s about seeking and accepting challenges and self-development. It’s about risk, adventure and growth. It’s about dreams, struggles, and passion. Time to sleep, Orientation is tomorrow. I go to bed happy and nervous at the same time, thinking of the year ahead. I came to this country because I believe my international American dream starts at Hult. Am I right? Guess I’ll find out. Edgardo Macias is a Hult Global Ambassador. He is an MBA student at Hult Boston, a finance professional, and an amateur musician with a great passion for math, teaching and intellectual discussion. Photo courtesy of VidtheKid. Accelerate your financial career and boost your earning potential with a Masters in Finance from Hult. To learn more, take a look at our blog Student tips: 8 things to do and see in Boston, or get into wider business with a  Masters in International Business  instead. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to explore everything about the business world, the future, and yourself. Related posts Academics Beyond (narrow) business concepts: â€Å"Soft† skills turn out to be critical skills News Building success: Dual Degree students win at USASBE Community How going beyond business at Hult helped me launch my company Admissions Accepted Students Weekend: A weekend to remember Careers Career mapping: How to become an executive in the next 5 years 0 Thought leadership How to prepare for an uncertain future in a world of AI Instagram Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .