Ch 52: Reflections on the Present
Time flies. It’s currently week 8 (soon to be week 9). Week 9 is a revision week (study time) as 
finals for our 6 classes this Hilary term all fall within week 10. This has been a FUN term. New knowledge, new places visited, and new friends. I’ve come to the realization that this MBA has effectively reached and passed the halfway point. We have three academic terms (Michaelmas, Hilary, Trinity) and one summer term which is two months and has students choosing between a.) summer classes b.) consulting projects c.) writing thesis. Summer term will see many classmates and friends depart Oxford so I don’t count it as part of the full experience but more of a side journey on the way to graduation. So as I stated previously I am more then halfway to the completion of this journey.
I’ve formulated many questions, many hypothesis, and many conclusions during the past 2 ½ months. Foremost of which is that I will miss this place, this moment, our time here. I didn’t imagine myself even pondering the thought before I came here. A primary reason for doing a 1 year MBA for me was that it was efficient and would allow for me to get to China faster and more effectively. But I have a tendency to think ahead in my life and reflect back on the PRESENT in addition to the past (I’ve done this since I was a kid =).
I realize that the people I’ve met in Oxford (and those I am still getting to know better) will never be in the same place at a moment in our lives when everything before us still lies within the realm of possibilities. We are immune to the outside world in a place where everyone is free to learn, debate, argue, plan, not plan, drink, study, explore, drink some more (this is England, mate!), study some more, and explore some more. What an experience it has been and continues to be!
So I wish everyone success in this next round of studying for Hilary term finals and the preparation of final assignments. I hope you find time in between to spend with those who are on this journey with you (perhaps even those you will be leaving once you finish?). Maybe in the future you will reflect back on our time here with similar feelings. Perhaps you will even miss this place and this moment that we are collectively sharing in. You may even wonder “Are there others that feel the same way? Am I alone in these thoughts?” But you will not be alone in your thoughts and your feelings fellow journeyer, because I will miss you too.
finals for our 6 classes this Hilary term all fall within week 10. This has been a FUN term. New knowledge, new places visited, and new friends. I’ve come to the realization that this MBA has effectively reached and passed the halfway point. We have three academic terms (Michaelmas, Hilary, Trinity) and one summer term which is two months and has students choosing between a.) summer classes b.) consulting projects c.) writing thesis. Summer term will see many classmates and friends depart Oxford so I don’t count it as part of the full experience but more of a side journey on the way to graduation. So as I stated previously I am more then halfway to the completion of this journey.
I’ve formulated many questions, many hypothesis, and many conclusions during the past 2 ½ months. Foremost of which is that I will miss this place, this moment, our time here. I didn’t imagine myself even pondering the thought before I came here. A primary reason for doing a 1 year MBA for me was that it was efficient and would allow for me to get to China faster and more effectively. But I have a tendency to think ahead in my life and reflect back on the PRESENT in addition to the past (I’ve done this since I was a kid =).
I realize that the people I’ve met in Oxford (and those I am still getting to know better) will never be in the same place at a moment in our lives when everything before us still lies within the realm of possibilities. We are immune to the outside world in a place where everyone is free to learn, debate, argue, plan, not plan, drink, study, explore, drink some more (this is England, mate!), study some more, and explore some more. What an experience it has been and continues to be!
So I wish everyone success in this next round of studying for Hilary term finals and the preparation of final assignments. I hope you find time in between to spend with those who are on this journey with you (perhaps even those you will be leaving once you finish?). Maybe in the future you will reflect back on our time here with similar feelings. Perhaps you will even miss this place and this moment that we are collectively sharing in. You may even wonder “Are there others that feel the same way? Am I alone in these thoughts?” But you will not be alone in your thoughts and your feelings fellow journeyer, because I will miss you too.
posted by ashton at 1:43 AM
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