Spring Break
HBS Treks Exploring the Exotic
While Making Extraordinary Connections
By Sandeep Chivukula (OB), Contributing Writer
Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 2 next >
|
Whether it is traversing the high altitude peaks of Kilimanjaro and Machu Pichu, exploring the uninhabitable corners of Tierra del Fuego or Iceland, sailing the tranquil seas of the British Virgin Islands or the picturesque Dalmatian coast, HBS students say that Treks are as integral a part of the HBS experience as section retreats and cultural shows.
The school's official definition of "Trek" is a student led program with a career focus. However, in the common vernacular the word is "Trek" is often used to describe both trips with and without a career focus. Some Treks like the Saudi Arabia Trek tend to be irregular based on the personal connections of the organizers whereas others like the Japan Trek and India Trek have become veritable institutions within HBS.
The mammoth task of organizing the logistics to shelter, feed, entertain and educate the hundred people is taken on by student organizers. Treks usually are a part of an on campus organization such as the Caribbean Business Club (CBC) which organizes an annual trek to the Caribbean with 20-30 students from HBS. The club typically selects a Trek Committee which is in charge of managing all aspects of the Trek. One of the key challenges for organizers according to Damany Gibbs (OH) of CBC is "finding that right balance between the exotic, social and fun events and the practical business and career events."
For the larger treks managing logistics of moving more than a hundred people becomes a key issue. Japan Trek Organizer Jun Fukuyoshi (OH) and the rest of the Japan Trek Team broke the participants into several smaller groups and instituted a zero-tolerance 5 minute wait policy to move people efficiently to the various sites and meetings. Whether the Trek is to Jamaica or Japan, Fukuyoshi summed up the sentiment of the Trek organizers by saying "When I started at HBS I had so much support from my section and friends. These 10 hours I spend every week in organizing the Trek and showing classmates some of the best of what we have in my country is my way of giving back."
For the participants there are several reasons why Treks HBS TrekS Exploring the Exotic
Be the first to comment on this story