No spoon feeding

So, you know how every university tries to be "not like the other" MIB is one of those. Since day one we have heard the phrase "at MIB there is no spoon feeding". It does sounds good right? However the reality is far far from that. I’m sitting now, Monday 1:07 am after studying to strategy exam, and I find my self-memorizing everything from the book. Why you ask? Isn’t it an MBA where there is no more theory and it is all about to put things in practice ?


Well, the strategy exam will be 89 multiple-choice exam, ONLY about the things from the book. Nothing to analyze or to think, just to spit what we have memorized. The best part it, is that after telling us that we will get about 10 days from the last lesson to the exam we get only two in this case, because as they say it is a multiple choice exam. We know that those are much trickier and demand harder studying to the little details. But as I mentioned in my previous chapter, this is Italy.


Another thing that bothers me and I have to write it to you who read this. Have you ever heard of a school that only shows you the schedule for 2 weeks forward? Isn’t the studying plan supposed to be ready by now? If they expect us to be good managers they should show some its quality themselves. The exams schedule is not set; the vacation schedule is not posted how we can plan anything? How can we plan our team project if we don’t know when they are due to?


This is all very frustrating, however its quite dubious that they see it as I do, I guess I like to see things organized. But, I must say that it is fun to complain but I see it as a challenge, as something that I will have to cope with in this way or the other and to get the best out of it.


I took a day off on Friday to meet Matt Roman in Venice; he came with his architecture students for a study tour and to work on their project. We had a nice 24h together, we went to the architecture exhibition, and of which I would never go with out it him it was very interesting. Every country had its own pavilion and chooses which aspect of the national architecture to show. Very unique idea I must say.

Here is a crazy cray story. Samuel Huntington 
Once said that the world is getting smaller and smaller, he mainly referred to technology and to the easy flow of information. However, during the international fair in Trieste, (which brought many stands from around world with typical food and clothing from the different market)

I have experienced how small our world is.

While walking among the crowed I have recognized a voice but I wasn’t sure where do I know it from. I saw this girl and after listening for a short while I realized this is Margot Goldberg, Jessica Goldberg’s twin sister. Most of you don’t know but Jess was my first and best friend during the summer of 2004 in Pittsburgh. I haven’t seen her since then and defiantly not her sister. I was really amazing moment when we realized that we have ran into each other in the city of Trieste, among all places in the world we met in TRIESTE ???? I still think it is amazing.


This is what I call a SMALL WORLD.


Ok, it is 1:25 here, and I must finish the accounting homework for tomorrow. I will get to do it right now.


Before I’m done with this shortish chapter, I want to give you a short sentence to think about -

Dream as if you'll live forever.
Live as if you'll die today.

 

good night. 

This is Italia

Saturday, according to what I know this is the day of which you suppose to wake up late, have a good breakfast (feel like have french toast) and to do absolutely NOTHING. well at least nothing that is related to work/school.


However today the previous class of MIB school of management had their graduation ceremony, so after having a good drinking night which ended late at night, I found my self wearing a tie and listening to graduation speeches at school, yes, let me remind you 10:30 am of a Saturday night.


But this short example might emphasis what this year is about to bring upon us. Since school started we have been loaded with reading and papers and its seems that the work will never end. Though I know it is important to leave the weekend free but is seems not feasible if things will keep going in this phase.


Micro economics, Statistics, Finance business strategy things that were so far away from me are now about to take a big part of my time and life. some of things I know or knew in the past, but when all the definition are in English it makes it a bit harder to know what exactly it means in Hebrew, but I`m sure I`ll be handling it just fine.  Today we have finished our first study case in Strategy class, where we had to offer Illy cafe what should be their next steps in order to increase the profit. It was very interesting  process and I`m very happy with my team results.


I had a very interesting experience with the "Italians", or I should be more specific and say with my landlord. He does not speak not even a single word in English and his wife can handle just a little bit of it. On Thursday they came to our place to bring the contract, it been 2 weeks that we are living here with out signing anything, but as they all say here "this is how it is in Italy". Long story short, before I have arrived I had Joel that speaks Italian to call them to ask if its ok that i`ll arrive on the 24th of August. They said yes, but the Apt might be ready only a day or two after, but they have another place where I can stay. I ended up staying in that place for 7 nights (!!!!) which was in a bad location and  I couldn`t settle in during that time.  On Thursday they said that I should pay 100 Euro for those 7 nights, because I have used an Apt for 3 people alone, and I used gas and electricity. When I tried to negotiate that claiming that it is not my fault and that it is way too much, it took the landlord  5 min to tell to pack my shit and go away from their place. I gave him the 100 Euro, basically threw it to his face just in order to calm him down. But I was amazed by the idea of that he was whiling to let me go just like just because I negotiate a price that was out of the blue. Then we talked about the current contract, the initial price was 620 Euro for all 3 of us here, now they its 640 euro because they re did the shower, we have never asked from it. And they decided to do it after we finalized our arrival. The Answer "Take it or leave it" this is Italia. We managed to bring them down to 630, just for the principle. Then they have started with million of add ons on that price, which basically they could say that the rent is 790 per month, this is including Garbage tax, house maintains, heating and above all rent Tax. and landlord in obligate to pay 2% tax from the yearly rent, these guys are claiming that we should pay 1%.

I say if any one has problems with landlords in Israel come and try Italia.


Now, we are not sure what to do. We asked the school to check it all out and to let us know what is legitimate from them to ask, but I`m pretty sire that the answer will be "This is Italia". At the end of the day we will probably stay here cause it is a good location and a good apartment. The price is very fair with all the add ons comparing to the other places in the city.



 Its been raining here since last night with out a break, the wind is starting to peak and all I can think about is where all this is going? Yes, I have heard about the "Borra" the mighty wind of Trieste I know its going to get much much worst, I`m just a bit excited to experience it. Purchased a good winter equipment and I`m ready to go. BRING IT ON.


well, I should go back to Micro Economics so I`ll be able to have the time to go to Udine, where there is a local fair called FuirliDoc. Where they are serving local traditional food.


Good night

Here we go

This post i`m writing while waiting to face the Italian bureaucracy. sitting at the police station looking forward to meet the one who will let (or not) me the permission of stay.

Lets talk about things in Italy that are seems to be weird. first and foremost, the police. there are about 5 different police forces that most of them has different responsibilities. However, two of them the "Carniberi" (Military police) and the "polizia" are overlapping in their assignments. There is a long history of hate and competition between them, and if one says A the other can say B. So if both are getting to the crime scene on the same time, and arguing about what has happened there, there no statement in the law the decided who has the last call. I find it very  weird and problematic for governance. But this is me.

This week started with first few hours in school, dressed up in a suit we have marched up the hill to meet all of our colleagues and staff. It seems to me that the group has a great chemistry to start with.

We left for 3 days to a resort on the Adriatic sea, where we did some ice breakers and team building challenges. For me, it was summer camp all over again, it is interesting how those same activities are everywhere, the exact same ones. I wanted to play along and let the team think about the solution, but I`m sorry it was stronger then me. Further more I think that if I would of stay silence I would have not contribute the maximum I can to the group.

we started of with a very interesting activity that I liked, the goal was to tell your name to the group (can be a nick name) and to provide also a way to help the group to remember your name. It was funny but in the end we all remembered 20 names with out a problem.

We were divided also to out working team, groups of five that was elected by the staff. This group will be working together for the whole year. For good or bad we will have ti stay unite and to bring results. I really like our group, it is very diverse both in Nationality and characters. We have Alessandro from Italy, Natasha from Serbia, Dorina from Romania, Riccardo from Italy, Jessica from Mexico that had problems with the visa and will join us ASAP, we also have a part timer with us, Paulo that seems to be a great person with a lot of knowledge about many things and then there is me.

we had great chemistry from point one and showed great team work during the activities, we also had a very tensioned one where some characters came out and that is including me. But I believe that was a good experience because we will have many more of those down the road, and as sooner we will know how to handle them the better.

Rosh Hashana was on Wed night and we returned back to the city a bit too late for me to go to the Jewish community here. Then I have invited my classmates to join me for a new year drink. I thought it wont be a problem to be away from home, and it wasn`t, but some where deep inside I wanted to be with the family. However, the friends from the program is kinda my new family here in Trieste and it was great going out with them. The next morning, the first real day of classes I have brought some apples and honey to share this tradition with class and to make sure that we all have a great, sweet and amazing year here in Trieste.

ok my turn in line is approaching, and should go. I`ll be writing again soon.

SHANA TOVA to you all (have a great year)

Itamar

first week in Trieste, Italy

hey  all,

so I know it is the same day of which I wrote the first chapter, how ever I only got to the day of arriving to Italy and there is a week to catch up. this might be a longer one but I would really want to put every thing in written and to pass to you what I have experienced so far. so I hope you`ll find it interesting.


Aug 24th.

The Taxi driver from the airport was very nice, and surprisedly he knew english and was very kind to call the landlord to tell her that I`m on the way, and that she should meet me in the apartment. I gave the driver a note with the address and he said "no problem, 60 euro". it took about 40min until he stops next to building number 27, and I get of and paid him. I went to the door and was looking for the name "Fragiacomo" it was no where to be found in that place. I called the owner and told her that I`m down here, but she never came down.... I took about 15 min until I realized that the driver dropped me in the wrong street!!!!!! so, carrying a 18k duffle bag + luggage + suite + bag-pack I start to walk, and I found that it was a parallel street (still about 400m walk and then about 300m more up hill), I wanted to kill that driver.....



found the owner that was waiting for me outside, she could say on the that I`m on the wrong street but I realized pretty fast that she is not speaking english well, I can say that she speaks most defiantly she does not understand...


however, they took me to another place which was away up on the hill away from the center. got into a place with no internet not even from the neighbors. no supermarket, no coffee nothing was around. only old people that screamed all the time.

I have spent in this place that temporary place, was told everyday by the owner, tomorrow your apartment will be set. The thing was that they re did the shower and some of the kitchen in the apartment. very nice of them, but why not start earlier when you know that you have residents from abroad?


Never mind, it was the first morning in Italy (Aug 25th) , and the sun was shining, I went to the school to say hello and to try and get some more information about what`s going on, by this time I understood that most of the participants will not be around until the weekend before school starts (Sep 6th) and that I have plenty of time for my self; So, I have decided to take advantage of that time to know the city and to figure out all the important things around AKA busses, internet , phone and such. Getting to the school I have met the program manager Barbara that showed me around a bit, and Barbara Sepic that helped me with the permission of stay, right away I went to to find the post office to deal with bureaucracy in Italy, fun fun fun.

the city is very nice, and the bus system is very handy. once you figure out which number you need to take and where you want to go, nothing is in English not even the transportation web site. it took me about 3 days to find out that I should by the bass tickets in the Tabacchini (small tobacco stores) its been 10 days and I didn't, (almost got caught with out a ticket but was saved by the bell, that would have been cost me 50euro panelty.)


That day I was traveling around the city, finding out where things are happening and I have found out that actually no where, this is kinda of a ghost city. things are closed pretty early, they have a lunch break in restaurants, meaning that the restaurants are closing around 2pm until 4pm or something like that the schedule here is weird.

having no internet, I was reading my book which I highly recommend to you all (got it as a goodbye present from 888, thank you Ronna) the name of the book in La Sombra Del Viento (צלה של הרוח , A shadow of the Wind) by Carlos Ruiz Zaf`on. really good book that keeps you in tension the whole 450 pages.

Thursday, arrived and I have met Heather which will be taking the MBA with me and her boyfriend Nate that is living and working here. It was very nice to finally talk to someone after few days :) and having a great beer.


I have met in the school library where I have spent a lot of time because of internet access, there is no such thing as WiFi in coffee shops or restaurant anywhere around Trieste, I have met there couple of guys from Brazil that are doing a 3 month program in the school, i have joined them for a party in a city near by on Friday night. cool guys it was fun times.



Then it was Saturday Aug 28th and it is important to mention it not because that I do anything, actually I didn't do anything but it is the weather that is taking the leading part here. I woke up to the sound of rain the wind and I was shocked. the windows were slamming against the walls and things were flying in the air. I was looking for witch from Oz to arrive the wind was so strong. then I remembered that Heather was telling about this, it called "La Bora" , it is the famous wind of Triste that can get up to 180kph which is ridiculous fast and strong. I left home just to find out again that there is nothing close where I can buy food... and I was hungry.

First thing on Sunday I was looking around for an open store to buy food home, but then it hits me, it is europe and all the places are closed during sunday, everything, including most of the restaurants, I found my self wondering around scouting for food, finally found near Piazza d`Unita which is the main and biggest piazza of Trieste, a nice pasta place where I had my first pasta in Italy.  then I have spent that day walking around the piazza and looking at the amazing architecture that is around me.

Piazza D`Unita

I`ll make Monday short, but I will say that I have learned that even if the weather seems nice when you wake up, the sun is shinning the sky are blue it doesn't mean that it wont rain two hours after. once I got to the center of town to have lunch with Heather  the rain started to hit. I had to run to the supermarket and then wait for the bus while wearing shorts and T shirt. I was soaked and freezing cold by the time  I got home. but I have learned two important Trieste lessons; one - prepare your self in advanced to have food at home for sunday (which I didn't do the following week but that was because I have met Angus the New Zealander and went rock climbing with him on Saturday....again explain later). The second lesson is always have a jacket with you, the rain might come as fast as some thing that comes fast I don`t really have a metaphor for that.

by this time I had set my self with Internet and a local pre paid phone, the internet is pretty cool. It is by a company named Tre.it, its a internet hub with 300 hours per month for only 19Euro a month. seems to be a good deal but I will be able to comment on that in a couple of month from know, so far so good. Having Internet back did made my life much easier, this was back on Friday when I got it and I have started to look for Ultimate Frisbee people around here. I found this cool website which shows a map of Italy and have contact details of key players in each area, I have sent few emails hoping to get some respond. Sunday night and I get reply from a guys namds Bostjan, that he is from a city close by (40 min in a train) and he told me that my email on Friday missed him an hour of so and that the had this amazing HAT tournament during the weekend, bummed I was and then he even sent me pictures to see what I have missed. looking at the half full glass, I found the person I wanted and right away he invited me to practice on Wed in ljubljana in Slovenia with the local team. Slovenia is just about 15 minutes from Trieste, and Bostjan lives in a city Called Gorizia which was divided between Italy and Slovenia. the drive to ljubljana was very nice just about an hour but we saw that we have some time to kill so he decided to give me a little bit of a de tour. he took me to this special natural made bridge that the water dug into the mountain. it was very nice and interesting. 

Practice was very nice, I love Ultimate people, always welcoming and how Jasmina said it "it is right away like you have a new family." and it is true. the level of the game was very good, they play a bit different from what I used to but it makes it only more challenging. after practice we hang out and drank some beers in the bar which is right on the sideline of the fieled.... amazing huh ?

chatted and got to know the team, was surprised by Anja (Anna) that announced that drinks on her, because she has just graduated from college at that day. Usually I know that it is the other way around but it was a nice moment.

Maybe this is the time to say a word about girls, yes the Italian girls are beautiful, must say very beautiful. but they have no competition with the girls from Slovenia, and I`m not saying that it is always like that off course not but there is something about the Slovenian beauty that I just like. By the end of the drinks that night Jasmina offered to drive me to Trieste even though it was about 40k out of her way, and I was thinking to my self maybe this is a new family, did I mentioned that I love ultimate people?  I hope to go with this team to as many tournament that possible there are two planed for October one in Bologna, Italy and one in Budapest, Hungary which I hope to attend both of them. during practice and before and after I have heard a lot about a guy named Angus, a guy from New Zealand that moved to Trieste to do something with Quantum physics, and a great ultimate player. on the way back to Trieste with Jasmina I have decided that I must contact this fellow.

Wrote to Angus on FB and on Friday night he invited me to to dinner with him and his friends, off course I went, the took my to Osmizza, which is a rural restaurant up in the villages around Trieste. the story tells that during the role of the Austrian empire the land owners were allowed to sell their products only 8 days a year. so the tradition is still existing and maybe more then 8 days a year but you can never know when a specific Osmizza is open. So how do you know? you are looking for a branch with green leafs and you just follow the signs. we found one that is actually had also warm food. the idea of the Osmizza is that they have local wine, white or red and they serve it with meat and potatoes with some Horseradish on the side. this place also had sausage and sour cabbage, which was amazing. for desert we had unbelievable apple shtrodel. we were there with 3 of Angus friends that are working with him and they are great people, during our conversation of getting to know each other I have mentioned that I like rock climbing, then Angus right away said "Really? I`m going tomorrow you should come, meet me at 9:30am in the train station", should I refuse for an offer like that ? I don`t think so.

the morning after I packed my stuff, my climbing shoes, that I have sent in the package from Israel and that arrived on time, and tool the bus to the train station, still never bought a ticket to the bus always said, huh I`ll just do it next time. I knew that there are inspectors that are checking the tickets but I have never seen them, you know in the 10 days that I have been traveling around Trieste. however, one stop before the train station an inspector gets on the bus, and I find my self with only 5 americans that are separating me to a 50euro penalty. lucky me, one of the american girls had a ticket but she didn`t stamp it in the machine, so the guy was busy with writing here a ticket while he was doing that we arrived to the stop and  I bursted through the doors running to the train station, gladly I got out of this but I promised my self that I will buy a ticket as soon as possible (this will be done tomorrow before school) met Angus in the train station jumped on a train towards Gorizia to meet his friend who is also an ultimate plater Simon and we all went rock climbing. It has been along while since I have climbed and I`m sure out of shape, but this two guys were so nice and understanding and also pushed me a bit to work harder. It ended up to be a great day in the out doors. We went to climb next to a village called Vipava in Slovenia, huge walls with hundreds of climbing routes in different level all you need to do is just to pick the ones you would like to do and that is fitting you level, although I did the easier ones, my mussels were hurt after that day, I have climbed all together about 30m and I was hurt like I did 100m.  I must say that both Simon and Angus showed some good skills and I hope to climb with them again as soon as possible.

Simon in action

Got back home that night and I opened the door of the apartment knowing that the third roommate was suppose to arrive, the first one is Alexey that has arrived from Russia a few days ago, the third guy is Jose from Argentina, I found out a cloud of cigarette smoke in the apartment. I couldn`t breath, he was smoking in the living room with all the windows closed not something that I or anyone I know would love to live in. I have left a note asking not to smoke in the house, and got a very nice apology from Jose and a promise that he wont smoke inside again I a have appreciated him a lot at that moment.

remember that things that seems to be elementary to one guy may not seem to be the same to a another person.

sunday arrived and school starts tomorrow, was planing on finishing the readings but this never happened. I went with Alexey and Jose to eat Pizza for lunch after writing the first chapter of this blog, then got back home tired from a long walk, and around 8 Angus contacted me for dinner.... he promised me to show me where is the best burger in town, the place was closed unfortunately. so we just walked around with another two very nice of Angus friend had some Pasta and beer.

And here I am. Sunday Sep 5th actually 6th few hours before school starts, again I hope it will go well and that the people will be nice and friendly. this is a great experience ahead of me and I truly hope to learn a lot.

this was a fast gist of the last 10 and first days in Trieste Italy, I hope that I succeed in passing some of the feeling of those days, in the future I would try to write much more often. I believe that I have forgotten many things that happened to me during those days but I guess they weren`t important enough.

I`m excited to find out what I would write in the next chapter till then

arrivederci

Leaving to Italy

So, it is a bit wired but I have so many things I want to remember from this upcoming year, so I better write it down.

As you all probably know, I have moved to Italy for the year in order  to complete my MBA studies in International business at MIB school of management in Trieste, Italy.

why Italy? why Trieste? well just because it was an opportunity that came along and I have decided to fullfill me dream to study abroad.

Its been 11 days since I got to Trieste and I`ll try to remember everything and to put it down in words. you shall excuse me if I forget anythings but in the future I`ll try to write more often.

After getting everything done back in Israel including shipping a package by mail to avoid over weight (which turned out to be ingenious cause I got my climbing shoes on time, but I`ll tell more about this later)
I had a little goodbye party on the top of Marina hotel in Tell Aviv where all the people I really wanted to see came to have a drink an to say bye bye.
Shira, gladly was around me all the last few days which was great, helped me with everything and make me feel that I`m doing the right thing and more important that everything will be Awesome.

Shira and I

Sunday and Monday were mostly packing and getting the apartment ready for subletting, Shira and I had the expirence of the rich people life on Sunday, the guy who rented my place paid 3 month in advanced in cash so we had to go to the post office, change some of it to 1,000 Euro, than we went to the bank to deposit about 10,000NIS all in cash, weird feeling to carry that much money on you. but sure is making you feel important. After doing that we went for Breakfast at Sitara in Sea & Sun luxurious coplex. sitting on the sea side, drinking morning cocktails, what the waiter didn`t know that we had a free breakfast coupon (thank you 888.com)

saying goodbye to Shira the night before the flight was not easy, as I knew before but then felt it much stronger than ever, she is the best friend of mine. and a year without here wont be an easy journey.

the morning of the flight I had my parents sleeping over, I barely slept, spent on the couch in the living room thinking about what is ahead of me.  my Mom woke up early and finished fixing the kitchen door path, it was broken because I had to get the refrigerator in.  She, my Mom, did a great job and it looks like it was done by an artist.
we went to breakfast again , in the same complex but in the restaurant right across. it was with my Parents and Hamutal my Sister. as always before I take off one of my experiences abroad it becomes very emotional, not like in other occasions this time I can understand it. however, it was nice breakfast, Hamutal gave me a number of envelopes each one with some money in it and with a lable on the outside. the envelops were to be open in a specific occasion, the first coffee, the first friday dinner, the first date in Italy and so on. it is a great Idea that I likes a lot and I`m following the orders, it sure does makes me feel  like I`m doing in with her. and that she knows that I`m thinking of her.
no, I did not yet  used the once for the first date in Italy. I`ll let you know when I will. but the idea behind this was very special. It was taken from a family tradition to give a letter to the airplane, where you allowed to open it only when you are in the air, and in that letter the one who gave it to you will tell you things or wish you what ever is on this heart. I thing this one of favorit family traditions.

the Airport.
so all my family decided they want to come to the airport and played along didn`t said that I mind, cause I didnt mind it. but I did know that I would try to do it fast as possible, like taking a band aid off. I don`t like emotional moments.
I got there first with my dad and checked in, lucky me, no overweight (they charge 25 euro for every extra k`!!!!!!!)
then everyone else arrived, my Mom, Hamutal, Anat my other sister with  her kids Noga Ayelet and Dror.
Then wishes and kisses and it started to get emotional, my Mom had tiers and this is something that is ever easy to see. my dad on the other hand was smiling his big red face smile, and I knew that he is proud of me.

I should say something about that, my dad never share his feeling with me nor with anyone else (maybe with my Mom only), but when I was debating if I should go or not to this adventure way back in June I called him one morning and I asked him "Dad, am I doing the right thing here" and he replied enthusiastic like I have never heard my Dad before, "Yes you do, 100% yes" this gave a lot of confident in taking this decision.

back to the airport, so I decided to use this occasion and get a family picture something that we didn`t do for a long long while,

My Family

and here we go, done with kissing and saying goodbye, and I`m crossing the doors to start a new adventure.

the flight went well, I love beeing on a plane, makes me thinking a lot. arrived to Trieste through Munich and took a taxi from the airport F%^&% 60euro but It was night and I wanted to get home.

about my first days in Trieste I shall write in the next chapter.

hope you enjoyed reading this so far.