What have the other Waltonites been upto?

I have been talking so much about my experiences so, I thought it would be nice to see what my classmates have been upto. So, I collected some pictures of a few of us from all around the globe.

This picture is from the orientation in January.Each one of us is busy with their internship/study abroad programs

Monsieur Thibault Vittet is in Oklahoma City. He is the Finance/Controller Intern for Cameron. While the company excels in making equipment for the oil and gas industry, Thibault is exceling in his finance projects. 

I am doing good, buddy. I just bought two diamond mines in SA. Maybe just maybe, I will use your  finance expertise in my company.

Nepali dame, Samita Khadka is enjoying Memphis. She is interning with Fedex and, very happily told me that Fedex even has a office in Nepal. Woooow!!!! If its got a office a office in Nepal it HAS to have one pretty much everywhere in the world.

Yup, Samita we know the arrow goes all over the world. :-)

Charles Hanson, celebrated 4th of July in China this time. Well, Charles if its any consolation I celebrated my first 4th of July braaing ( thats south African for BBQ). He is working for ACCA and, enjoying the dumplings. Follow his pursuits in China on http://waltonmbainchina.blogspot.com/

Here  is Charles on the Great Wall of China. I wonder how much chinese he learnt.

While Charles was in China our original Chinese friend Bin Liu, was in Germany. Bin had opted for the study abroad as part of his summer electives. I am looking forward to hear about his experiences and the seminar on "The Changing Environment for International Business in Europe".

Bin, seconf from left , enjoyed the "European Summer"

Lavery Patricia, is travelling to 3 countries in the 3 month summer break and is glowing with her experiences. She is visiting, Cambodia, Thailand and Srilanka and, if you check her blog, http://www.patriciaflanagan.com/ you can enjoy her internship stories, as well as her experiences with the different cultures.

Hey Trish , you make milling look like fun.

Mark Eastham, is enjoying the wonders of the rainbow nation. He has been " Chilling in the Gauteng" and if you don't believe me check out http://chillininthegauteng.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/portable-kitchen-adventure/

Mark has been exploring South Africa through his work.

Petite Gina Lopez, has had the best of both worlds. She finished a project with "Eden Tree" in Ghana and now she is in London, working for the "School of Social Entrepreneurs". Just for that Gina, you get to have two pictures on my blog. lol

Well, If you didn't believe me look at the pictures. Gina has really gained some valuable experience this summer in two different projects and two different countries 

Matt Lyon, is in my country- India. He is working in Ranikhet and talks about his work and life in India on http://thiseverlastingspoof.blogspot.com/ and it looks like the curries have gone down well with him.

Here is Matt blessing the newly weds. Looking forward to see your bolllywood moves, mate.

Co ambassador Tammy Lippert, has a very tight schedule this summer. She participated in a 2 week study abroad in China and, even got a scholarship for her trip from The Center of Retailing Excellence. She was already a intern with Kelloggs during our spring semester and continues her work there. In addition she was one of the students to get sponsorship for the " Heifer International Global Passport Program". I am sure you are following her on http://mightymba.blogspot.com/

Tammy loved the study abroad in China.

Xiaoyan Zheng is working from Fayetteville. She is working on a project with the City of Fayetteville and enjoying her first summer in Arkansas. She is also working for a Henkel Project.

Well, we can hardly see Xiaoyan, but she is there somewhere in the picture right in front of  her  work place.

I started with the Frenchman and,I must end with the beautiful Emmanuelle Forest. She is working as a sales analyst at Schwan Food Company. Her past marketing experience is adding value to her present internship and its pretty apparent from her picture how exciting it has been. 

Emma is all smiles at work. From France to the US of A , this is just a new beginning. And hey  Emma, you have to get the Pan Pizza for the class. :-)

Week 4- Pleasure for the body and soul

This week has been so special. I had an oppurtunity to meet two very special people. Both of them, are from two different spheres but a shining example of what a human being should be.

On tuesday, we (interns) got a chance to meet with Mr Stuart Bird, CEO Mr Price Group. This was the first time I was meeting with a leader in the corporate world and, I was pleasantly surprised with his humility and accessibility. He spoke to us about the challenges facing the South African retail industry. He talked about how ecommerce was beginning to affect the African econimy and how retail companies, in South Africa, had to modify their approach as compared to their counterparts in the west. I left the meeting feeling totaly elated to have spoken to such an important yet grounded human being.

Then on friday, I went along with the HR department for the "Warmth Drive". The HR department at Mr price had pooled resouces and bought toys, blankets and fruits for two orphangaes in Durban. We interns went to "Esibusisweni Orphanage and Cresh", located a few miles away from the Valley of a Thousand Hills. The orphange is run by an old lady who looks after 10 children full time and around 40 others, when their parents leave for work for no money at all. The kids lovingly addressed her in zulu in a word that meant "Granny Mom"(I am sorry I cannot recall the word). The simplicity of the people working with "Granny Mom" blew me away. How many people can dedicate their lives towards making the lives of others better. We played with the children for a long time and it was heart wrenching when we had to return. While we were leaving a little girl walked up to Jenny and said "When will you be back". It broke my heart. I shall pray for their well being and hope to return before I depart from Durban. Isn't it great that, while Mr Price has a sustainable venture called Red Cap foundation the employees are still doing their bit towards society.

I tried my best to make him smile. Not very god at it. :-(

Jenny fell in love with the kids. Who wouldn't?

Huaying is always very reluctant to dance. It was a wonder when she agreed. KID POWER!

If you see on the far right you can see "Granny Mom" in a head dress.

Saturday was a beautiful winter day in Durban. The sun was out, the ocean blue and inviting and, everything was just perfect for the three of us to take our first "SURFING" lesson. And boy, did we have fun. A 30 min drive from our apartment took us to Ushaka Marine, the beachfront where we rented surfboards and jumped into the Indian Ocean with our surfing instructor. It was an hour of intense pleasure. I even managed to stand on the board for like 5 seconds in two installments. Just the thought of surfing makes me want to go back again. The rest of the day we spent lazing, at the beautiful Durban beach. it was a memorable "winter day" - Surfing on the beach.

Three First time surfers

Well, I did manage to fulfill my wish.

On Sunday we got an aerial view of Durban. David, HR at Mr price took us for a tour of the Moses Mabhida Stadium. He was accompanied by his son Benjamin, who was enjoying his winter break. The stadium had been built for the 2010 soccer world cup and is named after a famous political activist. The stadium has a sky car that takes the visitors up to the zenith, along the arch, and I got a chance to see Durban as never before. The majestic Indian Ocean on one side, the hills with houses on the other and the huge skyscapers along the downtown. A guided tour of the stadium followed and we even got a chance to see the locker rooms. David was an impeccable host and, great company as well. We had lunch by the beachfront at a bustling cafe called "Circus Circus". The taste of the steak is still lingering in my mouth as I am writing err typing this blog. "Thank you David" for such a great sunday.

Thanks David and Benjamin for the fantastic sunday

Durban Skyline- What a sight

In the locker room

Mr Price Kings Park top view

While surfing I saw a huge conatiner vessel leaving the Durban port and, I had the same thought that I had upon arrival- Had it not been for Walton College and Mr Price I would never have had an oppurtunity to quit my past job and participate in this fabulous internship. So, upon completion of my first month in Durban- "Thank you Walton & Thank you Mr Price".

Week 3 - Chilling at chilly Cape Town

This week had just three working days. Huyaing and me spent the week meeting suppliers, as part of our projects and gathering data for our research. As I had mentioned earlier our projects involves tracing the supply chain of Mr Price suppliers to try and find areas of reducing costs. I also visited the Distribution Center to start work on my second project involving slotting. Amidst all the projects we(interns) did catch up with Athi, Justin and Claire, Justin's beautiful wife, at the House of Curries, for dinner. I had my first taste of the famous “Bunny Chow”, South Africa’s local spicy cuisine. It was delicious.

House of Curries- Yum Yum Yum!!!

As I mentioned earlier this week Mr Price had grand plans for us in Capetown. So, on Thursday we flew to Capetown with our tour guides, Angela and Portia. Angela and Portia both work in the HR department at Mr Price and errr,let me say it the South African way-They were hectic, Man!(Hope I got it right). There was not a dull moment in the whole trip. Ummm…..maybe a few but, only when we were just tired of having fun.

The lighthouse just opposite our hotel entrance.

Thursday evening started with a great dinner at a local restaurant called “Bar-ba –coa.” We were joined with another Mr Price employee Christine , who works at Capetown. I wonder how Mr Price finds the amazing people. It was a night filled with laughter and smiles. I remember goining to bed thinking about the wonderful places I would be visting over the next few days.

First meal In CT- Seated on table from right: Huaying, Jenny, Angela, Portia and Christine. Grrrreat Company

Friday started  with a quick breakfast at our hotel, La Splendida. And trust me - It was Splendid! Portia  drove us all to the harbor where we boarded MV DIAS and sailed towards Robben Island. We saw a quite a few seals on the way and it came as no suprise when we leartnt later that Robben Island means "Island of Seals" in Dutch. Robben Island is perhaps, one of the most famous political prisons in the workld.The island where Nelson Mandela was kept a captivefor 18 years. The cells tell many a tale of the other prisoners, who like Nelson Mandela, where impriosoned for thier political views. One of the guides at the tour was an ex-inmate and it was heart wrenching to hear about the the daily lives of the inmates and how they kept the struggle on even from the prison. It was practically here that the constitution by the South Africa was rewritten by these great men.

Three chirpy ladies enroute to Robben Island

The pile of stones at the quarry ,where the priosners had to work, was started by Nelson Mandela, at a reunion of former prisoners in 1995, and more stones added by the former prisoners. The pile made of stones of different color, size and shape represents the diversity and unity in the rainbow nation- South Africa

This pic could compete for the best pic ever through an iphone. Its not the camera it's the locale--- aaaaamaazing

We returned back to the mainland around noon for another fabulous meal of fish and chips. I can still hear Angela saying-“it was Dee-vine”. We then returned to our hotel as Christine had a bombastic evening planned for us. After another great meal comprising of steak we headed out to Asoka’s for a night of dancing and revelry. However, it was a dissapoinment and just when I thought that maybe, maybe the party quotient was to be a bit less I was proved wrong. Christine took us to 31, a pub on the 31^st floor of the ABSA building. And “OOOH MY GOOD’’ did we dance. Surprise package of the evening the timid Huaying. She rocked and so did the others. Thanks Christine,the evening was Rocking!

Club 31, for the twenty year olds that we are the place was toooo much!!!!!

We had been glancing at Table Mountain, since the day we had landed in Capetown, hoping that we would be lucky enough to get the cable car ride. Unfortunately, that was not meant to be. It had been cloudy and wet since the day we got there but, we did get a chance to see the most amazing locales and scenes in a tour bus through Cape Town. Each locale was better than the other and, there were times I was so lost just watching out the window I forgot to click a picture. And maybe even a picture could not do justice to the yellow sand, the evergreen landscape, the sun which shone at just the right moment(for a few seconds) on the Atlantic. It was a surreal experience! I think by the end of the day our bodies were giving way, with all the travelling and partying from last night and so we called it a early night. Oh,  but before I forget,  we went to the cutest restaurant ever called Sidewalk, for lunch, and had one of the most YUM (as Portia would say), meals ever. Dinner at Lasplendida, compised of  the oxtail and mash potatoes, another South African speciality, and was just awesome.

Table Mountain- On a bright sunny day.Clicked from the ferry enroute to Robben Island.

Table Mountain on the remaining few days.. Argggh , but that is just another reason to go back to CT

Sunday was the last day in Capetown but,not a uneventful one. We checked out early and, headed towards Tiger Valley Mall to check out the new concept stores, by Mr Price. The color combination, lighting and the decor looks just great. We visited Mr Price and Mr Price Home stores. Then we headed of to Spier, a local winery and after a wine tasting session towards Stellenbosch, a settlement by the early europeans and, a most picturesque town. Lunch was steak and fries,(another "Yum" and "Divine" meal), that was to be the last meal in CT. From there we headed to the airport and boarded the flight back to home, sweet home, Durban.

 I have said it before and I have to say it again Angela and Portia-"Thank you so so much for the mosty eventful, fun, crazy weekend at Capetown". And in true South African style let me express my feelings once more -"IT WAS HECTIC, MAN!"  :-)

Week 2: Work and Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The last phase of the induction was a store visit. We visited the biggest Mr Price Apparel store in Durban and, had a close look at the hard work that goes into setting up a store, receiving the stock and ensuring that the customer leaves with a smile on the face. The store associates and employees explained each and every function very well. Thanks a lot guys.

Huaying made a new freind at the Mr Price store

Roland showing me around the stock room at Mr Price Apparel

Huaying and I, spent the rest of the week working on our projects in the supply chain department. We have two very interesting supply chain related projects for our internship. The first involves examining the supply chain of the Mr Price suppliers, and provide suggestions for reducing overall systems cost and the second involving effective slotting at the Distribution Center. The projects are in line with my future aspirations of working the supply chain filed in the future and will provide invaluable experience.

This weekend was  our (interns) first brush with the Durban nightlife and boy, were we in for a treat. Err, let me try and phrase my experience using supply chain terminology. For our study of the Durban nightlife we had priceless support of Athi and Sam, HR’s at Mr Price. Needless to say once again we found out that Mr Price employees are numero uno in partying  department. Under their complete supervision, we started the evening, savoring the delicacies at Tasha’s, a restaurant at the local Gateway mall. As the evening matured we all demanded more fun. Sam and Ati took us down to Florida street . Our demand( read crazy partying) finally reached a equilibrium with the supply(read great hangout places). Thank you Ati and Sam for a wonderful, wonderful evening.

Starting the weekend at Tasha's - with Athi

Sam & Athi- Two vivacious personalities

The next day, we three roommates ventured out for a trip to the Valley of a 1000 hills. The 30 min ride to the suburbs was filled with the most picturesque sights. I cannot justify the sights and the views with words, the closest I come to is “Divine”. We had a hearty breakfast of pancakes at a local restaurant, called “The View”. And trust me the view from “The View” was also heavenly. We then drove to the Phezulu Safari park. The park includes a walk through a crocodile park and snake park.I had a lot of fun seeing how excited(read devastated) Huaying was when we had a chance to touch the python. The Phezulu trip came to an end with us witnessing the traditional Zulu dance. The dance depicted courtship, engagement and the subsequent weeding celebration of a young Zulu couple and held us spellbound.

View from "The View"

Nooo- Huaying is not scared.........Yaaa Right!!!

The wedding celebrations

This week- “Capetown”. HERE WE COME

Week 1- Induction

How many interns get famous in their respective organization in the first working day? Well, we did. J The HR team flashed a circular with our smiling pic to everyone in the office, and well, we have had smiling faces greet us ever since. The casual dress code at the office and the colorful office spaces makes work a fun place. That being said the teams work very hard and diligently and everyone puts the best foot forward.

The picture that made us famous. :-)

The Mr Price building is actually an old rail station which has been converted to a corporate office. The train station is still in use; technically we are situated above the station. Each Trading Department has a separate office space. The divisions are- Mr Price Apparel, Mr Price Sport, Mr Price Home, Miladys and Sheet Street. Huaying and I will be working as Supply Chain Interns in the Apparel Group. The Supply Chain Division handles the consignment of the various divisions to ensure that they reach the stores a timely manner. I will of course be talking more about the division in future blogs.


Mr Price office building

So, we have a shuttle to take us from the main entrance to the parking. How cool is that!

Hayley and Justin, had drawn up an induction schedule and we met members of the division and his week we got an overview of each department. We had an induction with the Trend Department, Marketing Department and obviously, the supply chain department. It was a great to learn how the team at Trend department makes a catalogue depicting the incoming trends and passes it on to the buyers who then coordinate with the suppliers to achieve affordable, great looking clothing. The marketing department works closely with the buyers in coming up with a campaign depicting the latest offerings to hit the store and, coordinates the release with the time the consignment is to reach the stores.

First day at my desk

At Mr Price Kings Park Stadium

Mr Price Kings Park!!!

Mr Price treated the interns to a rugby match. England vs. Springboks(South Africa). The rain gods decided to visit Durban on the D- day, but that could not dampen the spirit of the 40,000 supporters who had come down to Mr Price Kingspark Stadium. Yes, Mr Price is the official sponsor of the stadium. The roaring crowds had 3 American students cheering for the springboks like crazy. Icing on the cake- WE WON 

Is it a Dream!!!!!!!!!

Durban- At Last!!!!!

The moment the flight attendant on the route from Johannesburg to Durban announced “Ladies and gentlemen please switch your mobile phones, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries or any other type of berry”, I knew this would be fantastic trip. Hayley and Justin,from Mr Price, met us at the King Shaka International Airport,Durban. Justin had been incharge of this program last year but he has since moved on to different projects and this year Hayley is in-charge of our internship. They are both such pleasant personalities that is seems like I have known them for ages.

We drove straight to out apartment from the airport. One word for the cozy 3 bed room apartment- Mind Blowing( well that's two words but its appropriate). Situated right on the beach, the view from the balcony is simply breathtaking. I can see the vessels at anchor and realize just how lucky Walton has been for me. A year back I would have been on one the anchored vessels, not in the plush apartment with all the modern furnishings.At the apartment we met Jenny Hwang, a Harvard MBA student, a co-Intern, roommates and a most wonderful personality. At the airport it seemed it seemed that I couldn't wait to hit the sack but the magical Durban air infused new life into me. Justin and Hayley took us  for a  tour of the neighborhood. To say that we are living in a convenient location would be an understatement. Restaurants, banks, grocery shops are all withing walking distance from our apartment.

Home away from home - Sea Lodge, Umhlanga Rocks

On the beach with Jenny (in pink shades) and Huaying

After Justin and Hayley left the three of us ventured out to savor the local cuisine and had a hearty meal at a local restaurant. It was after the meal that my body gave way and so we strolled down the beach to our apartment and called it a day.Thus ended my first day at Durban.

Sunrise from my Balcony

Justin, Hayley, Huaying and Jenny (JHHJ )

Wishlist

The next day Hayley dropped by at 10 am and drove us around the city and a local beach. I have never seen surfers before and it was a treat to watch them ride the waves. Surfing is definitely on my wishlist now. We had a lazy afternnon and checked out the night life in Umhlanga later. Our first Sunday was spent watching a South African Hollywood Star's Movie at the local cinema- Snow White and the Huntsmen.Let's see whats in store for tomorow. After all it will be my- MY FIRST DAY AT MR PRICE. :-)