Just before the summer internship

Today is the last day of my summer vacation. Starting from tomorrow, I will be working 16 hours per week. I am less concerned about the specific skill that is required to do the job but worry more about how I will manage to make zero mistakes when I only have less than 5 hours of sleep per day. It may sound funny but for some reasons I find it hard to articulate to people why I had chosen investment banking for my summer. Perhaps it's the challenge? the money? the desire to go to PE post-MBA? my curiosity? or a little bit of everything?


Then a document saved me. While I was going through some old folders on my laptop, I found this career leader report that was analyzed for us before we came to Haas. It was very interesting to re-read it since it gave me a logical answer to my previous question: I chose it because it's pretty consistent with my interest. My #1 interest is " Influence Through Language and Ideas" so the report suggests that " sales is a natural fit for you. Deal-oriented financial-services positions may also appeal strongly to you if you also have an interest and some skill in Quantitative Analysis" Who knows, I might end up enjoying the hectic IB job


For whatever reason you decided to try something new, don't assume what your experience will like beforehand. Embrace it with an open mind and I am sure you will be fine in the end

The land of smile, massage and Tuk-Tuk

My summer trip to Thailand marked many of my “firsts” traveling experiences: It’s the first time traveling with just guys and no girls; first time no accommodation booked prior to the trip; first time not having a plan where to go on a daily basis; first time traveling with people I barely know before the trip and first time time traveling with non-Asian.

Initially I wasn’t too worried about it and was convinced that whatever comes to me, I will be able to adopt and deal with it. However, as each day passes by, I began to feel a little uncomfortable about the lack of planning and common topic between the 3 of us. ( The only common topic was Haas and we sure didn't want to talk about it on vacation) I decided to just take it easy and tried not let those thoughts bother me. One of my mentor once told me " If you feel frustrated, remember to lower your standard. " Except the fact that I insisted we fly to Chiang Mai instead of taking an overnight train, I pretty much just went with the flow.

Thailand is a place full of color. From its temple to its food, even the taxi cabs are in many colors: Green, pink, yellow, blue.. We did the touristy stuff such as visited the Grand Palace in Bangkok, rode the elephants in Chiang Mai and spent an afternoon at the Maya Bay in Phuket. We also experienced the out-of-ordinary things such as getting nearly attacked by a group of monkey, a set of tailored suit and several shirts in a tailor shop recommended by Nok and traditional Thai breakfast at Nok's house.

Although there were compromises and surprises, it turned out that we got along pretty well and I had a good time. In the land of smile, massage and tuk-tuk ( an unique type of taxi), I learned that

1. I hate lonely plant tour books ( I am already 29, backpacking? please..)

2. I prefer to get up and do things instead of just relaxing on the beach all day long for 3 days?

3. American culture is more on the rough side as described by my travel buddy

Here are some pictures on the best of Thailand

The land of massage and tuk-tuks