My life at Kean University

GMBA

Claire Liu

Time flies! I have been studying in America for over 7 months now. Looking back at my life in America, I have so many happy and painful experiences which may be called culture shocks. From the beginning, I have encountered quite some difficulties, such as finding a place to stay and applying for social security number and health insurance. The most difficult is the language barrier – even now sometimes I can’t completely understand what people are saying when they speak quickly. Fortunately, GMBA program and my classmates have helped me in so many ways. The hardest time is over.

During my studying, I have learned a lot of new information from my classmates. Since we’re MBA students who have working experiences, there are lots of group cases to be done in every class. Each classmate has unique experience and background. We talk about our group case and share our different ideas. Finally, we finish our group case and present it together. I remember when I gave my very first presentation, I was a little nervous. My teammates gave me a lot of encouragement and praised me for my performance. From then on, I have found back my confidence and actively participated in group activities with my teammates’ help.

In addition, I have also attended some on-campus activities, such as open house, consulting project for LSC, and research day. I took part in the Parade of Halloween and Thanksgiving in New York City. I also spent Thanksgiving Day at Dr. Shani’s home and Charismas at the home of my parents’ friend. I have also still traveled to Washington D.C. and Boston during the winter and spring break. All these activities have enriched my insight, broadened my vision and made my life colorful. I have truly enjoyed the process and felt very happy and fulfilled. Below are my valuable group pictures.

The President, GMBA’s faulty and French students

The class of Cross Culture

ESL’s classmates

Marketing Strategy group members

The classmates of Leadership class

The classmates of simulation class

All of classmates in Business finance class

Consulting Project

GMBA
Claire Liu

I am honored to be part of the Global Management Consulting Team of Kean University's MBA program. Our mission is to present the report to Liberty Science Center (LSC) Experience Services in better assessment of partnerships and collaboration opportunities internationally, including Brazil, China, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and United Arab Emirates. Each country profile contains initial market entry research and provides an overview of the business environment in the targeted country so that appropriate strategies may be developed when developing a proposals, responding to RFPs, building or expanding networks. I’m engaged in China’s issues. I have learned a lot of information through the project, although I am familiar with my own country-China. It’s a good experience for me.

Consulting Project group teammates at the LSC

The first annual Kean University Research Day

GMBA

Claire Liu

On Wednesday, March 25th, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs held the first annual Kean University Research Day. I attended and presented my poster “The exploration of information Technology in China”. It’s a good experience for me in spite of not getting the award. At the same time, I have learned a lot from research of the others.

Attending Research Day

China Spring Festival at Kean University

GMBA

Claire Liu

Chinese Faculty and Staff at Kean University organized the Spring Festival on Feb. 17, 2009 despite that the Festival has passed a few days. All Chinese on campus wore the traditional dresses and clothes, and celebrated our traditional festival together. It made me feel the warmth of a big family.

Celebrating the Spring Festival with Chinese students

The night of the American presidential election Day

GMBA

Claire Liu

As a volunteer of supporting Obama, I, along with my classmate Reina and many other people spent the night of the American presidential election in Paterson, New Jersey. We called the slogan“Change’s all the way”, watched the newest progress of ballot, and listened to the aspiring speech of the Congressman William Pascrell. Finally, we were honored to have a picture taken with the Congressman.

With the U.S. Congressman William Pascrell (in the middle)

Birthday Party at GMBA Studies

GMBA
Claire Liu

We celebrate the birthday for every member of the GMBA studies. My department has thrown a little birthday party for Dr. Afriyie, Dr. Shani, my colleague Ken, and me. We’re just like an international family. I feel lucky to study and work at GMBA office of Kean University.

The birthday party of Ken and me

Dr. Shani’s Birthday Party

Dr. Afriyie’s Birthday Party

My feelings of American life

GMBA
Na Cui

It’s almost eight months since I came to Kean University. There are too many good memories and I just don’t know where to begin with. When I post my American life on my space, my friends in China wonder, “why you enjoy so much since people who first go abroad wanna be back?” I tell them that, “Because I have a big family here.”

Yes, without the assistance of Global MBA office, I can’t imagine how I could handle with the totally new life abroad, not even mention that enjoy all kinds of western holidays, take part in different activities and get good grades of my study.

I still remember the first few busy and messy days when I arrived at Kean. No car, no apartment, no medical insurance, no social security number and bunch of paper work need to be filled out. Thanks to all the faculty of Kean University. Ms Banner, who is responsible for the international student, took us to find the apartment which is close to the campus with proper price and help us buy the right furniture; Dr. Shani, who is the supervisor of the Global MBA office take care of us from work to the study, without him, I don’t think we could fall into the new life so quickly; Dr. Zhang, the young and bright professor of GMBA, share lots of her American experience with us and give valuable advice on our study; Dr. Afriyie, the most patient and nicest professor tell us more about America and we feel so comfortable talk to him just like we have the same native language; Mariela, the secretary of GMBA office, is so kind-hearted to help us handle the daily life, from the supermarket, signing the cell phone plan to register the class…And my classmates, especially Reina, also help us a lot, from the presidential election night to the consulting project.

To me, they are just like family members. And I know whatever happened to me, they will always stand besides me and it’ll drive me to improve myself constantly.

My team members of the consulting project in Liberty Science Center.

Every Friday we gather together to discuss the process of our projects and share the valuable information with each other.

Travel Learn to China Meeting April 30th, 6pm at East Campus 3rd floor

Hi everyone.

This is to let you know that you will have a mandatory Meeting to present your Travel Learn to China Project on Thursday April 30th. at 6PM at our Office on East Campus, 3rd. Floor.

Thanks,

Mariela Fernandez
Global MBA Department
mafernan@kean.edu
908-737-5981/908-737-5980
fax 908-737-5985

Global Graduate Business Club - Meet and Greet