Chapter 1: Catch-up (laid-off, travel, apply to bschool, internship of a lifetime)

Hi folks,

I've decided to start a blog to keep everyone up-to-date on my wearabouts, especially since I'll be living in Brazil for 2 months. To summarize, here's what has happened since Oct '08:

September 2008: I decided that this was the year I will apply to business school and finally get my MBA.

October 2008: I was part of Mercer restructuring, which is just a fancy name for getting laid-off. While most employees were stressed/worried/not happy, I was jumping for joy. While no one can ever be happy from losing a job/income/stability, I was relieved to know that I now have time to focus on applying to business schools.

November 2008: I visited Harvard Business School, Yale University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Wharton, NYU. While they all offer different qualities, I can see myself going to each school. On 11/25, I relocated to Miami, Florida.

December 2008: I visited UofMichigan-Ann Arbor and became a big fan of the new facility (schedule to open Jan '08). Shortly after my week long visit to MI, I booked a one way tix to San Francisco and stayed at my friend's apt for 2 weeks. During my stay, I met with HBS alums to discuss my essays and after further review, they strongly I apply to Stanford. After researching the school, I decided to make Stanford my #9 school. On Xmas day, I booked a one way tix to NYC and began the 14+hr day marathon of business school application.

January 2008: I decided to apply to 9 schools, with deadlines ranging from Jan 5 - 9, 2009. That week was one of my toughest weeks, since unemployment. I could not have applied to all 9 schools, without the help of the following folks: Brendon Perkins, Donna Hodges, Tim Jarvis, Steve Putterman, Mel #2, Dean Sontag, Gerry Logan, Kate Genovese, Kim Gana, Talena Hunt, Tom Green, Steph Chin and Claire Coveney. On 1/21, I leave NYC and head south to Atlanta to visit Emory's Goizueta MBA program and complete the admission interview. On 1/25, I will finally go home MIAMI.

Next steps for business school: I basically wait for schools to invite me for interviews, all by Feb-mid March. All schools would have made their decision by April 1.

My move to Brazil:
For the past 2 years, I've been assisting a local nonprofit organization (Promundo - http://www.promundo.org.br/35325?locale=en_US) based in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, gain a US presence. It was during one of my many memorable walks in San Francisco, that I remembered Promundo was hosting an international conference 3/30 - 4/3/09 and I emailed the Exec Director asking if they needed assistance. After 2 weeks of back/forth emails, I got the internship of a lifetime and will not only learn how Promundo operates within Brazil, but also have an active role in the Global Symposium on Engaging Men and Boys in Gender Equality Conference.

The Global Symposium on Engaging Men and Boys in Gender Equality (http://www.engagingmen2009.org/10) will take place in Rio de Janeiro, March 30 – April 3, 2009. Four hundred fifty participants from around the world will share their work in applied research, policy, and program development. Their work challenges rigid gender norms and engages men and boys in reducing violence against women and girls, promoting sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, and fatherhood and caregiving.

The four day Symposium will promote exchange, debate, and planning for action. The event will include:
A. Plenary and breakout sessions on men and violence; men and health; and men, caregiving, and fatherhood;
B. Skills building workshops, abstract presentations, and a Global Village showcasing the work of NGOs, United Nations agencies, governments, foundations and universities; and
C. An analysis of current advances in policy that engages men and boys in gender equality. The Symposium will include presentations by policymakers from countries including Brazil, Canada, Norway, South Africa, and Sweden.