I am thinking I should be studying, preparing for my corporate social responsibility and ethics exam coming up - but I'm blogging instead... As this is my first trimester in this MBA, I only enrolled in one class (working full time and living life doesn't allow too much time for extra study). Still, I've found this subject particularly easy - maybe because I'm comfortable with speaking and thinking about ethical issues. But one issue that I hadn't quite prepared myself for, is that I'm a mature aged Anglo woman doing post graduate studies, in a class that's 90% international full fee paying students under the age of 35yrs. It's been fascinating.
I've just finished a group assignment which was quite a learning experience for me - not on the content - but on the process of working with students from other cultures. I feel quite confident now on the theoretical construct of 'ethical relativism' - that is to say what is ethically right or wrong in one country may or may not be ethical in another country. I was quite surprised to have a conversation with my small group about our case study - a matter of corporate ethics - on what I clearly saw as a contravention of Human Rights, my fellow students saw just the way it is.
Besides spending time reflecting on the study experience, I've also been enjoying the distractions - here are some of the posts I've enjoyed this week out there in blogging land...
- Health Snack Ideas
- Fridays at the Farm
- Eating different honeycombs
- A new jolt for South Sudanese Coffee
Last weekend I went down the south coast for a friends party, and this was the early dawn view from my motel room - I just wanted to share it with someone....
Going back to school sounds like you have found a good way to broaden your horizon. Do the international students have career goals that correspond to this degree? And you? Does your experience connect to your profession that you have already? I'd like to learn more.
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I think every student should enjoy a day off to work the garden, read a book, enjoy life -- and it's clear you are contemplating your class. It sounds quite fascinating to be in a mix with so many different cultures. When I went back to grad school I was older than all of the kids in my "make-up classes" (the undergrad classes I had to take to qualify for entrance to my program. It served me well. I'd learned the responsibility of working, meeting deadlines, the importance of the education (versus party time!). And my grad program was much the same though I was closer in age to most of them. It's intriguing because it really opens you up to new ideas. The cultural thing would only make it more so. As Mae said, I'd love to hear more, too!
ReplyDeleteHat's off to you indeed. Full time work and study is serious business, and it is interesting being older when the perspectives around you are from a much younger point of view. Study well Tamara, and I hope you squeeze some time in your garden as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies for your encouragement. I'll post more in the future on my reflections about this new journey. You're right to say its broadening my horizons in one way or another.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous view! Good to have those moments...
ReplyDelete