This epilogue closes the journey where it all began to make sense. Graduation Day is more than a ceremony—it is a moment of release, reflection, and quiet triumph after years of pressure, growth, and survival. What follows is not just the end of an MBA, but the beginning of a wider story: friendships forged across continents, lessons learned the hard way, and a final adventure that sealed the experience as truly unforgettable.

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.

Epilogue “Graduation Day”

The commencement ceremony, a momentous occasion marking the end of our academic journey. We donned the traditional attire, consisting of a cap and gown, and proceeded to receive our diplomas one by one. The sense of accomplishment was palpable, and for me, it felt like emerging from a long, arduous period of struggle, akin to surviving a personal Vietnam.

The ceremony featured a keynote speech by the CEO of Facebook, which added to the excitement and prestige of the occasion. As we concluded the formalities, we celebrated by tossing our berets into the air, embracing one another, and taking countless photos to commemorate the moment.

Afterward, each of us joined our respective families for dinner, except for Andy, whose family couldn't make it to California. He graciously accepted my family's invitation to dine with us. The evening culminated in a section party at the W Hotel in Westwood, a fitting finale to our Odyssey. Though this chapter had come to a close, there was still one last trip on the horizon.

The summer trip - our final, grand hurrah with our MBA friends. It was a sprawling, international adventure that took me to Europe, Asia, China, Thailand, and several other countries. Along the way, I had the pleasure of meeting local friends who generously hosted us, showed us around, and repaid the kindness I had shown them when they visited me in Mexico City.

The trip was a true highlight, a last opportunity for our big, boisterous group to travel together. And while it was an unforgettable experience, it wasn't without its share of misadventures. In Russia, I met a girl who would become my girlfriend six and a half years later - a relationship that would bring its own set of challenges and traumas, rivaling those of my previous experience with the LA lady.

Meanwhile, some of my friends fell victim to scams perpetrated by cunning women in Istanbul's bars (Google Juicy Girls), while others were robbed. Despite these mishaps, the trip remains a cherished memory, a testament to the bonds we forged during our time together in the MBA program.

A poignant reflection on the two-year adventure. As the Beatles so eloquently put it, "In the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." For me, the most valuable takeaway from this experience was the bonds I made along the way.

The friendships I forged during this period have been a treasure trove of support, camaraderie, and shared experiences. Having friends scattered across the globe has provided me with a network of people to connect with, places to stay, and cultural insights to gain.

Beyond the personal connections, I also established valuable professional relationships with fellow students, faculty members, and career coaches. These connections have endured long after the program concluded, and I remain in touch with many of them to this day. I can easily say I can consider my friends over 20 people that lived in LA with me during that period and that I stay in touch with over 50 of them. Not bad for being in my worst mental state ever for half of that time.

It's interesting to note that it took me several years to fully appreciate the worth of this experience. While the connections I made were undoubtedly the most significant aspect, I've come to realize that the entire journey – with its ups and downs, challenges and triumphs – was, in fact, epic.