Four out of five ain’t bad!

The first night of our Kenyan experience was spent in Nairobi, with 14 Chicago-based participants flying various routes round the world to get here, including me. Having not been in London or Europe in a long while, it was fun hearing British accents again when I stopped into Heathrow for three hours. A few people had problems with their flights, and visas, but by the third day everyone was fine and had arrived.

The following day, Sunday, we drove four hours north, to just above the equator - to the Mount Kenya National Park. We settled into our tents at the Sweetwaters Tented Camp; and then, following a huge rainstorm, took a three-hour safari drive around the national park.

Our first sightings were birds including the Marabou Stork, sparrows, all types of Deer, Impalas, Gazelles, Wharthogs and Baboons. Just before heading to the Chimpanzee conservatory, we saw the first of our Big Five animals – the African Elephant. It was a little off in the distance, but I was amazed by this bull – especially because of the size of it!

Next we visit the conservatory. The Chimps here are being protected as their natural habitat up north in the Congo and Rwanda is greatly suffering; and although I wasn’t that impressed by them, it was nice having the encounter.

We then saw hippo footprints by the river; before seeing a giraffe grazing amongst the trees. Great sight once again! And surprisingly, the giraffe is not one of the Big Five.

Further along, we saw lots of Water Buffalo (the next of our Big Five), with birds sitting on their backs and mingling around them.

Next, came a couple of Black Rhinos, one with a baby, walking by.

Then we went to another conservatory (within the private Sweetwaters property at the Mount Kenya National Park) with a white rhino in protection due to its blindness. The Rhinoceros is also one of the Big Five.

Finally, just as dusk was hitting, I spotted a male lion lying under a tree, enjoying the beautiful blue sky and late afternoon sunshine, with Mount Kenya spectacularly appearing out from behind the clouds in the distance.

Little did we realise up ahead, that three lionesses (the last of the Big Five for the day) were eagerly watching two wharthogs about 50 metres away – with us thinking that was going to be their ‘kill’ for the night. They looked eager to pounce – so we waited around to watch; but after about 45 minutes, nothing had happened except for them gaining more distance, so we turned back to the camp, arriving in the dark.

Note: The Leopard is the only other animal we didn’t get to see, making up the fifth of the Big Five.

Following a day of animal discovery and many ‘firsts’; the group returned to the Camp for dinner and a good night’s sleep.

Safari bound - 19 March 2010

The last few weeks have been tough to say the least. The end of my MBA degree posed some challenges, with several final papers, exams and assignments, as well as packing up the apartment I’d been living in whilst here in Chicago/Evanston; and trying to see more of the surrounding areas before leaving this region of the world.

Further, something I had been looking forward to since June 2009 had now come to an end; and issues that had arisen during my time away were starting to reach boiling point.

With everything now under control, except my burning desire for curiosity, I am heading to Africa. It’s totally random that of all places I am heading to Kenya for spring break; but the opportunity arose to travel with a group of MBA students from the Booth School of Management at the University of Chicago, so I took the chance while I could. Wish I had my beloved boyfriend here with me or another good friend to share this experience with, but no doubt my hundreds of photos will be shared when I return to Australia instead.

Earlier this week, I found out British Airways is having a strike on the weekend, which will affect my flight my London to Nairobi; but as of today (Friday), I hear the trip will still go ahead but with ‘limited in-flight services’. Once there, in Kenya, I should be greeted by an airport pick-up service; and taken to my hotel to meet up with other members of the group, and for a good night’s sleep – especially as our safari excursions start early on Sunday morning.

The plan is to go on one safari on Sunday/Monday; then by flight to Mombasa to visit a seaside resort Tues/Wed; and then to go to the Masa Mara National Park for another safari on Thurs/Fri (I think). Then on the weekend, we are going into the countryside to stay with the parents of one of the MBA girls who has organised the trip. Friday night, I believe we are having dinner with the Kenyan Foreign Minister for Trade; and late Sunday night, before flying out to return to the USA, we are going to the famous Carnivores restaurant in Nairobi for dinner.

Looking forward to the experience – and can’t wait to share when I get back.

Light at the end of the tunnel - 24 Feb 2010

For the first time in many months, I can see a light shining brightly. Currently studying in Chicago, in winter, with snow falling on a weekly basis, I knew it couldn’t be the sun attempting to shine through… so I wondered, what is it?

After a week of puzzled thoughts and rollercoaster emotions, I have realised it is in fact the reminder that my MBA studies will be complete in just over three weeks time! Of course, my counterparts back at the AGSM will still have a few weeks to go, as they don’t finish till early April, but mine will be done.

The journey has been hard: Friends and classmates adjusting to new expectations, non-negotiable time commitments, approaches to using our brains in ways we couldn’t have even imagined a year ago, and more.

The best thing has been the friendships. I remember a year ago, undertaking an exercise with my session one team, discussing what was more important: Performance, People or Learning. Although I have learnt a lot from an academic standpoint, the learnings I have gained through interactions with people have been most deep and life-changing. Even being in Chicago has added to this perspective.

Kellogg mind you, is no different to any other business school in the world. Yes it has a very reputable brand (and internationally-renowned professors), but essentially this is what you’re paying for. There’s more classes to choose from but the classmates are just as ‘similar’ to me; if anything, AGSM has a broader mix and the culture is 10 times better!

Hoping to make the most of my last few weeks in Chicago/ Evanston, with trips planned to Madison, Wisconsin, and the Amish town of Shipshewana, Indiana. I will also be heading with a friend to New Orleans this weekend, which should be fun.

Gotta run – I see the light!

Ps. If you ever want to visit my photos, they are available to view online at picasaweb.google.com/michelle29jacobs