What begins as a routine effort to help plan a conference quickly escalates into something much bigger—culminating in a landmark event featuring the Secretaries of State from Chile and Mexico.

Disclaimer

• All characters and events in this chapter —even those based on real people—are entirely fictional.
• The following chapters contain coarse language and situations and due to its content it should not be read by anyone.

Chapter 20 “ Latino Students Club”

As a member of the Latin American Business Association (LABA), I was eager to contribute to our flagship event—the annual conference that brought together thought leaders and experts from across the region. When brainstorming potential speakers, I naturally turned to my connections at the consulting firm where I had previously worked.

I reached out to a few partners, convinced they’d make excellent additions to the speaker lineup. However, I quickly realized LABA had even grander ambitions. Behind the scenes, the team had been working diligently to secure speakers of an entirely different caliber.

As the weekend of the conference approached, we received news that left me speechless—our keynote speakers would be none other than the Secretaries of State from Chile and Mexico.

It was beyond anything I had imagined. To have political heavyweights headlining the event was a testament to LABA’s growing influence and the hard work of everyone involved.

The anticipation was electric. This wasn’t just another conference; it was shaping up to be an event—one that would provide unparalleled insights into the future of Latin America. I felt immense contentment in being part of a team that had managed to bring together such prominent voices to engage with our community.

The second year of the MBA program also opened the floodgates to countless travel opportunities. Beyond the much-anticipated Japan trip, the Chinese Student Association began organizing an excursion to Shanghai and Beijing. These trips were meticulously planned, and as was tradition at Anderson, the informational meetings conveniently came with free lunch—an irresistible draw for MBA students.

During these sessions, organizers laid out detailed itineraries, projected costs, and even walked us through the visa process. I was especially drawn to the China trip. The thought of visiting iconic landmarks, engaging with local businesses, and networking with executives halfway across the world felt like the ultimate adventure.

I sat in on one of the meetings, intrigued by the prospect of exploring China through both a cultural and professional lens. The trip promised visits to local companies, offering insights into Chinese business practices and opportunities to forge new connections.

Unfortunately, despite the appeal, the trip never materialized. A lack of interest from students ultimately derailed the plans.

Even so, the existence of such travel opportunities underscored one of Anderson’s greatest strengths—its commitment to blending cultural immersion with professional growth. These trips weren’t just vacations; they were windows into the global economy, providing invaluable experiences that extended far beyond the classroom.

For students like me, eager to expand our horizons and global perspectives, they represented a chance to step into new worlds and return with a deeper understanding of international business.