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Executive MBA Europe 2005 |
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Day 1 – Moscow,
Saturday, June 4 |
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 McColl
School EMBA 2005 and 2006 class participants departed Charlotte for
Moscow on Friday June 3. We arrived in Munich, Germany at approximately
8:00 AM on Saturday, June 4 and continued on to Moscow arriving at
approximately 4:30 PM.
Our first
evening in Russia found us independently satisfying our curiosity about
the city’s evening dining opportunities and nightlife. After a very
late sunset, most of the group returned to the hotel to settle in and
begin adjusting to the eight hour difference in time zones. At the
right you will see two weary but ready to go white-shirted "Kevins"--Kevin
Payne of the USPS and Kevin Davis of Bank of America, both members of
the McColl Executive MBA class of 2005. |
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Day 2 – Moscow,
Sunday, June 5 |
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 The
group opened our second day with a grand breakfast in the Hotel Metropol
and perspective presentations on “The Impact of Marxism on Russia” by Al
Herndon and “Putin – Policies and Views on Democracy” by Jolene Martin.
In the
afternoon, we embarked on a city tour including the Kremlin, Kremlin
Museums including the Armory Chamber, Red Square, Saint Basil’s
Cathedral, and other points of interest.
Later at the
Bolshoi Theater, we were treated to a stunning performance of
Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin.
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Day 3 –
Moscow,
Monday, June 6 |
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 Once
again, we began the day with breakfast and perspective discussions. Our
topics for today were “Khrushchev, Gorbachev, and Yeltsin” by Dana
Edwards, “Oil” by Michelle Sylvester, and “Security Issues in Russia &
Europe” by Pete Dordal.
Our business
study meetings began today with visits to the U.S. Embassy. There we
got an inside perspective on the importance of our relationship with
Russia in this day and time. This perspective included economic,
political, commercial and social elements.
We were then
welcomed by the Chief and Vice Chief Editors of New Izvestia an
independent Russian newspaper. Many perspectives on freedoms of speech
and press were discussed as well as this newspaper’s views on society,
politics, and the state of “Mother Russia”.
Our business
meetings were rounded out with a visit to Rosgosstrakh, Russia’s largest
insurance company to speak with Mr. Danil Khachaturov,
Director-General. While there we also spoke with Mr. Vladimir Balabanov,
Chairman of joint-stock commercial bank “Russian Interregional Bank for
Development” (RUSS-BANK).
Our last night
in Moscow was capped by a Dinner and Russian show at the famous
Restaurant Yar.
Tomorrow it’s
off to Prague after our final perspectives on Russia are shared over
breakfast. |
The
EMBA group is pictured in front of St Basil's and in their meeting with
Chairman of the Board, Mr. Vladimir Balabanov, and Ms. Svetlana
Klepalskaya of joint-stock commercial bank “Russian Interregional Bank
for Development” (“RUSS-BANK”) and Mr. Danil Khachaturov, entrepreneur
and owner of largest Russian insurance company, Rosgosstrakh. |
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Day 4 - Moscow/Prague; Tuesday,
June 7 |
We started our day with a
revealing presentation by Kosta Rhyzkov, a Davidson graduate and the
managing director of investment banking at Vneshtorgbank. Kosta gave our
group an inside look at one of Russia's largest banks as well as a
snapshot into the life of an up and coming US-trained investment banker
in Russia's super hot oil economy.
After the morning meeting we headed to the airport for a 3-hour flight
to Prague. The Czech airline was a pleasure to fly, but the group did
not become fond of the Russian immigration and customs process, whether
coming or going!
Our first afternoon and evening in Prague were spent getting to know our
way around the city and taking in the local scene in small groups.
Many of us ended up at the same place that evening watching the Old Town
Astronomical Clock toll on the hour with its entertaining ancient
mechanical figurines doing their dance. |
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Day 5 - Prague; Wednesday, June 8 |
This day was spent really
getting to know the city and its history. Our intrepid tour guide
Margaret led us on a relentless survey of all the historical sites.
After starting with the Prague Castle, the official residence of the
president, we proceeded to St. Vitus' Cathedral, a spectacular gothic
structure that is the centerpiece of the Old Royal Palace complex. From
there it was on to the St. George Basilica, then the Golden Lane an
ancient row of shops and markets where Kafka plied his trade and finally
across the Charles Bridge where Mozart could be heard in 1787.
We enjoyed a pleasant lunch at at the Town Hall and then off to the
Jewish Quarter to witness and reflect on the horrible events of World
War II. Always endeavoring to see it all, we then hotfooted it over to
the Old Town Square, established in the 9th century, for all of us to
hear and see the Astronomical Clock in action. The rest of the evening
was spent enjoying meals and nightlife throughout the city. |
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Day 6 - Prague/Berlin; Thursday,
June 9 |
Myra Sigman opened the day
with a lecture on the Velvet Revolution, Czechoslovakia's bloodless
rejection of the ruling communist regime in 1989 and subsequent birth of
a democratic nation. Kevin Payne continued the story with an in-depth
analysis of two key players in the Czech story: Vaclav Havel, the
country's first president and ultimate hero, and Vaclav Klaus, the
second and current president struggling to make the passing of the baton
a successful one for all the country.
In typical MBA fashion (and suffering from airport fatigue) our group
elected to cancel the flight from Prague to Berlin (by way of Dusseldorf)
and instead took the train after calculating the cost/time-benefit ratio
to our bodies and mental state!
The decision turned out to be spot on. The trip was a fantastic
journey through the Czech and German countryside. Although we suffered
hilariously through the loading and unloading of our excessive baggage,
the rolling plains, rivers, impressive canyons and original Budweiser
beer proved overwhelmingly satisfying (sorry Evan).
Arrival that evening into Berlin was essentially effortless - within 15
minutes of pulling into the station, we found ourselves checking into
the very upscale and business-like Grand Kempinski Hotel. Located in the
very posh section of West Berlin, the group headed out for dinners and
walking along the tree-lined streets of the modern metropolis.
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