September/October 2003
Class of 2004 Settles Into the UMich Rhythm
	September marked the beginning of Fall, the beginning of the regular school year and the beginning of the Class of 2004’s immersion into the regular UM class schedule.  Joining their fellow second-year MBA students for elective course work has brought a whole new feel and perspective to the UMich experience.   A few Global MBA Students – Kay Jin Tan of Trelleborg Industries in Singapore (KJT), Jakyung Yoon of Maeil Business Newspaper in Korea (JKY), Hong Lyul Kim of Kookmin Bank in Korea (HLK), and Masaru Yamada of Matsushita Electric in Japan (MY) – sat down with EAMDC to share their experiences so far.  Here’s what they had to say.   EAMDC:  What initially brought you to the Global MBA Program at the University of Michigan?
	KJT:  I chose UMBS based on it’s ranking as one of the best business schools.  I hadn’t heard of it before I started to do research, but once I learned of its reputation, I was impressed.  I chose the school because of its high rankings and I'm very happy with my choice. MY:  My company was hesitant to let me go away for two years.  I looked for a one-year program, but they weren't of the same high caliber as the University of Michigan Global MBA Program.  This program is an excellent way to get a good education within a reasonable amount of time. EAMDC:  And now that you are here, what do you think of the Global MBA Program?   Kay Jin Tan of Trelleborg Industries outside Davidson Hall.
	Jakyung Yoon of Maeil Business Newspaper pauses between classes. JKY:  Since my background is not in business, but rather communication, I find the courses highly demanding.  But since I can manage my time schedule and the courses I take, I am able to manage the workload.  I would recommend that even people without a business background apply for this program because it's worthwhile.   KJT:  I was worried about the work load before I came, but I find it to be manageable.  It's challenging, but manageable.   HLK:  I'm focusing my coursework this semester on Finance and Accounting classes.  I'm finding the real-world cases that are used in class to be very helpful.  They are immediately applicable to my work.  I'm also enjoying the time to reflect on world events and think about how they will apply to my professional work.   KJT:  For me the best aspect of the program is the exposure that I'm getting to the many aspects of running a business.  My background is engineering.  The business skills that I am gaining are adding another valuable skill that I bring to my job.   EAMDC:  Beyond the coursework, what else do you like about the Global MBA Program?   JKY:  One of the biggest benefits to me has been a development of my analytical thinking skills.  Any program or course of instruction can teach me facts and figures, but through this program I've learned a new way of thinking through issues and logically analyzing the situation.  This is very useful to me. Younghoon Yoon, of Daewoo Engineering & Construction focuses in class with the rest of the MBA students. KJT:  The professors involved in the program are excellent.  I'm really impressed with the quality of instruction.  And I'm impressed by how accessible the staff is.  They really work to build relationships with the students.  And I think it's great.   HLK: The best aspect for me has been the overall benefits to me and my family - academically, professionally, and personally.  It has been good for my family to be in this environment and good for my children to have this experience as well.  I'm very happy to have the time to focus on my family.
	HLK:  I'm also getting a great benefit from making friends from around the world.  My neighbors in campus family housing are from all over the world – not just the United States.   KJT:  Yes, the composition of the student body is very diverse - more diverse than I expected.  I'm very pleased with the student body and I'm learning from them as well as from the faculty.   MY:  It's different for me to work with Americans vs. other Asians.  The Americans want to get to work first and then get to know you later.  There is a difference in language and logic.	Hong Lyul Kim of Kookmin Bank making friends around the globe.
	Masaru Yamada of Matsushita takes a lunch break in the student lounge.	KJT:  Americans are always rushing off to the next project or event!   JKY: I heard that Americans were aggressive and I was apprehensive about that.  But I find that they are also tolerant.  They will listen and consider your point of view.  They aren't as competitive as I anticipated.   EAMDC: It sounds like you all are very happy here.  Any worries? 　 MY: The pace of change in the business world is so rapid that I’m afraid of feeling out of the loop when I return to work.  But I know that the skills I’ll bring with me will more than compensate for any lost time.
EAMDC:  Overall, would you recommend the University of Michigan’s Global MBA Program to your colleagues?   ALL:  Oh, yes.  Definitely.  Absolutely.
Congratulations! - Sakai Wedding
	Friday, October 3rd, 2003 will be remembered as one of EAMDC’s happiest days.  GMBA Class of 2004 student Kazunobu Sakai joined Rie Yoshida in holy matrimony at the First Baptist Church in Ann Arbor.  Along with the couples’ parents and brothers who traveled from Japan, classmates, professors, staff and family members all joined in celebrating this wonderful occasion.  The Bride and Groom were glowing, the guests were bubbling with joy and Professor E. Han Kim was bursting with pride right along with the parents.
	Kazu and Rie receive the blessings of their family and friends.  The newly-wedded couple savors the joy of the moment.
Gone But Not Forgotten – Notes to Alumni
	Your entry into the University of Michigan community is a lifetime membership.  As alumni you have access to a vast network of leaders like yourselves and opportunities to continually benefit from this relationship.  It’s important to us, and a valuable asset for you, to keep us up to date with your contact information.  Go to our website today (www.eamdc.bus.umich.edu), open the Bulletin Board and update your entry in the GMBA Directory.  It’s especially important for the Class of 2003 to make sure we have the correct address for you since your diploma will be mailed out at the end of October.  You earned it – help us make sure you get it! Networking with fellow Alumni is made simple through the Michigan Business School website’s Alumni Directory.  Want to find all the UMBS Alumni who work in Marketing for the Auto Industry and live in Korea?  How about those who manage Human Resources for Commercial Banks in Germany?  It’s as easy as 1. Link to the website: www.bus.umich.edu/AlumniCommunity; 2. Log onto the Alumni Directory; 3. Search the database and start networking! What’s going on in your life?  New promotion?  New company?  New family member?  You can link to Alumni Pages (www.bus.umich.edu/AlumniCommunity) to give us updates through the Address Update Form.  The bottom of the form provides room for sharing your life’s progression with us.  Go ahead, give us the news, we can take it.
GO BLUE! - Class of 2004 at a Football Game
	Another long standing and deep seated tradition of autumn in Michigan is good-old-fashioned American football.  GMBA Class of 2004 got to experience the full force of the largest football stadium in the United States when they attended the Michigan vs. Indiana University game on September 27th.  Students and their families enjoyed the full experience:  a cook-out before the game (called tailgating); cold weather; over 100,000 fellow football fans; and a Michigan victory over Indiana 31-17.
	Julian Choi of China's Panyu Simone Handbag, works hard to explain the rules of American football at the pre-game party while the family of Katsutoshi Murakami from Japan's Nomura Research show their true spirit by donning the Maize & Blue.  Over 100,000 fans filled the U.S.'s largest football stadium.
Class of 2005 Deadline Approaches
	This month concludes the recruiting process that will fill the ranks of next year’s class. The pace of incoming applications has been increasing as the October 31st application deadline draws nearer. It looks like the next class will be more diverse and more competitive than ever. Companies and individuals who are interested in applying to the program can find information and application forms on our website www.eamdc.bus.umich.edu under the Downloads section.
	For questions and comments regarding this newsletter, contact: Stephanie Anderson EAMDC Program Assistant 734-763-5398 stephra@umich.edu