From NYC to NGO Around the world with a Hult MBA Hult Blog

When Paulo AO started his MBA in Boston, his aim was to further his corporate career within financial services. He succeeded in relocating from Europe to the U.S., rotating to New York with Hult and moving into a senior management role at KPMG in the city after graduation. But he dreamt of making a different kind of impact. A few years later he and his wife Caru then Head of HR at a New York bank took the decision to pack up their corporate lives and lend their expertise to those in need around the world. Today, Paulo advises NGOs and enterprises in Tanzania, Cambodia, Nepal, and South Africa. He helps these organizations build sustainable and robust business models in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. I always dreamed of traveling the world and really getting under the skin of other cultures It was during my MBA at Hult and particularly my time in Professor Joanne Lawrence’s Business Global Society class that this dream started to mature into something bigger. Both my wife and I had a lot of global and corporate experience behind us. We realized how privileged we were and we knew that we could help organizations around the world to grow, and to turn their ideas into action and results. I learned a lot at Hult about applying a global lens while taking into account local challenges, cultural environments, and political constraints. Paulo with Valeria Mrema, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Womens Education and Economic Centre (WEECE.) Did the prospect of leaving my job and my comfort zone behind scare me? It’s a big decision, of course, but before any big decision, I always ask myself whether I’ll regret it when I’m 80 years old. For me the answer was obvious. This was something really meaningful for my life and for my learning pathway. I think fear asks too many questions. One of our goals was to get out of our comfort zone until we accepted the â€Å"uncomfortable† as a natural place to be. Fear asks too many questions. One of our most remarkable projects was in Tanzania with the Womens Education and Economic Center (WEECE) This NGO is dedicated to improving gender equality through social and economic development projects and micro-loans, uplifting the standards of living of women in the Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania. WEECE’s Executive Director, Valeria Mrema, asked us to help with technical drawings for an intergenerational care center a dual model to combat the isolation and loneliness of 100 older people and provide daycare for 30 children from underprivileged families. We contacted Vigliecca Associates, a recognized architects’ office in Brazil, and they agreed to draw the project pro bono, saving the NGO nearly $20k. We worked as strategic partners between WECCE and VA, understanding the needs of each party and ensuring all the necessary technical information was provided. Paulo with WEECE board member Clà ¡udia in Moshi, Tanzania where the intergenerational care center is to be built. In Nepal, we worked on a project with survivors of  human trafficking   You might think that this would be a dark and depressing environment but actually the hope and positivity that surrounded us was a really amazing thing to witness. The organization, SASANE, which means â€Å"let’s protect ourselves,† is survivor-led and works to create social change and end the exploitation of young girls in Nepal. Professor Lawrence and her class were instrumental in our work with SASANE in Nepal Today, human trafficking is the second biggest criminal economy in the world bigger than drugs and only surpassed by gun trafficking. And Nepal is one of the worlds main source countries of trafficking victims. As a result of SASANEs successful efforts to end trafficking in some villages, these same villages are now facing fresh challenges around overpopulation. Professor Lawrence offered to help SASANE. She launched their challenge as an in-class project at Hult. One of the Hult student teams’ proposed developing tourist activities through the villages and connecting it up with big hotel chains and tour operators. This will boost the economy due to increased tourist footfall in the area and also provide work for survivors in the hotels. We continue to work with SASANE as a conduit between the U.S. and Nepal to raise funds to realize this project. Members of SASANE, a survivor-led organization working to end human trafficking. Everything is a problem you can solveêŸ ·you just have to study it until you’ve unearthed the root cause Human trafficking is not a Nepalese problem. Its a global problem. If, for instance, a girl in Nepal is trafficked to Europe to be used in the sex industry, who is responsible for it? The home country or the destination country? The trafficker or the person paying? And what about the life of the girl trafficked? Theres no sense in continuing to have local or short-term solutions for global, long-term problems. Theres no sense in continuing to have local or short-term solutions for global, long-term problems. Currently, I am still an active volunteer advisor for these NGOs and looking to apply my transferable business skills to the international development field.  All these experiences have been so valuable for me both personally and professionally. I have a better understanding of the world’s major economic and social issues, cultures, cross-cultural challenges, and leadership differences around the world. Market day in Moshi, Tanzania. I believe that we, as individuals, can make a huge impact Just take a look around you at how you can make a positive difference and become more sustainable. In your company, in your family, in your relationship. It’s about more than just being environmentally friendly. Once you start thinking in this way, you can really make a difference. In the next 10-20 years we will see a  huge wave of international development, public and private partnerships, and impact investment to tackle â€Å"institutional voids† and create social solutions that are more sustainable and effective. Technology will play a key role and organizations are looking to flexible, collaborative, and results-oriented people with a global mindset. And this is pretty much aligned with Hults purpose, developing truly global leaders individuals with an international perspective who are equipped to lead with integrity. Find Paulo on LinkedIn Watch this video to understand more about Hults commitment to The United Nations SDGs To find out more about Hults future-focused global business degrees,  download a brochure Make the most of what your career has to offer with a Masters in International Business from Hult. To learn more, take a look at our blog Role of the global MBA in the technology sector, or give your employability a huge boost with an MBA in international business. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to explore everything about the business world, the future, and yourself. Mel Cloney Mel is a staff blogger working in London, and is passionate about the Hult journey. Her writing focuses on faculty, academics, and student and alumni experiences. She’s a food, scuba, and running junkie with a penchant for all things French. Related posts Academics Beyond (narrow) business concepts: â€Å"Soft† skills turn out to be critical skills News Building success: Dual Degree students win at USASBE Community How going beyond business at Hult helped me launch my company Admissions Accepted Students Weekend: A weekend to remember Careers Career mapping: How to become an executive in the next 5 years 0 Thought leadership How to prepare for an uncertain future in a world of AI Instagram Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .