That was no coy Orientation. The Wisconsin MBA holds a 10-day introduction to its program, called the "Wisconsin MBA Experience." Each day was chuck full of events which introduced us to the program, faculty and staff, alumni, and our peers. Some of these events included:

• Opening sessions led by Dean Knetter and Associate Dean Kavajecz
• Performance by the Theatre for Cultural & Social Awareness
• Activities with our individual Centers - The Market Research group traveled lake Mandota in style on a Pontoon boat!
• Alumni presentation and reception by Boston Scientific
• Managerial Communications classes
• Introduction to the international trips coming up this January (Dubai, Tokyo, and Brazil)
• Team Building/Case Preparation
• Photo Shoot - Resulting in our sharp looking 2010 class picture
• Math Review (hosted by Prof Kavajecz)

There were also activities specifically for International Students. For info on those events, please check out what Paul Hahn has to say in one of the blog entries above entitled "Calling all International Students!"

One important - and unique - aspect of our first semester here at Wisconsin is the Integrated Company Analysis (ICA) project. I thought I'd talk about it a little here...and I'm sure there will be more to say as the months go on.

First-year MBAs are placed in groups of 5, with each student coming from a different concentration. During the semester we work closely with our group of 5 - selecting a company and then analyzing that company from the perspective of all our core business courses (ex: accounting, finance, marketing, data analysis). All of our work will culminate in a final paper and presentation due at the end of the semester. My group selected American Express so if you're curious about what they're about...I'll be able to answer all of your questions at the end of the semester ;)

But orientation wasn't all business...I mean a lot of it was...but we had good times too.
There were receptions with food and drinks. On Thursday night, the MBAs all hung out at a local bar (it's a Thursday night tradition called "TAPS"). The Joint Venture Club, a social network for MBAs and their families, had a picnic. And then there was the 80s party.

So while each day was filled with activities - and when Labor Day weekend came around, I took a 12 hour nap - I left the Experience feeling like I was a part of the program and the MBA community.

...And that I was in for a demanding year...but I'm always up for a challenge ;)

Now time to start classes.....

Cooking Up Changes at Kraft Foods
(Sorry - you will need to have a subscription to the Wall Street Journal to view this article in its entirety)

You have arrived at the A.C. Nielsen Center's Current Student blog. My name is Sunaina, and I am a first-year MBA student at the A.C. Nielsen Center for Marketing Research. It's good to have you here!

So what is this blog all about? This is actually the second year that the A.C. Nielsen Center has posted a blog. The reason for it is to give everyone out there a sense of what the MBA program is like over here.

Throughout the year, I will be detailing my experiences in the program - related to classes, interviewing, events, etc. Additionally, other first year marketing research (MR) students will serve as guest bloggers and share their perspectives. A new entry will be posted about once every week.

And this blog is really to serve you the reader. So feel free to email me regarding topics you'd like to hear more about or any questions you may have.

Who am I? For a brief bio on myself and the other members of the class of 2010, click here. Also, for introductions to the A.C. Nielsen Center Staff click here.

Also I will try to post MR-related materials at the end of some blogs (like articles or job postings) when I have materials. If you have anything you think is informative or entertaining feel free to email me and I'll try to get it posted.

Hopefully this will be a good read. It's definitely going to be an interesting year!