Guest Blogger: Meet Noorain from India!

Hi all, Rei here!

Spring break is over in a flash, and we are now getting into the second half of this semester. As I mentioned briefly in my last blog, I was in Vancouver, Canada, for six days with my friends! I had a pleasant and relaxing time in a different country, so close and yet so far from Tacoma. I hope this everyone's Spring Break was also spent in a meaningful way!

The second guest blog of the year is here! This time we welcome Noorain Nayeem, who is currently majoring in Masters in Business Administration with emphasis on Healthcare Management, as our guest! She is from Hyderabad, India and in her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and extracurricular activities. Noorain likes to explore the peaceful, vibrant, and beautiful PLU campus and loves her job on campus. As a Student Manager at Commons, a dining hall on campus, she enjoys serving food to students, working the cash register, and performing a variety of other tasks. In this blog, we asked her to answer a few questions about her life and experiences through the MBA program, which is quite different from the Undergraduate program! Those who are thinking about going to PLU Gradate School, those who are curious about what graduate students are studying, etc., will hopefully find this informative and enjoyable! 

What surprised you the most when coming to the U.S.?

The plethora of social activities and clubs available on the PLU campus pleasantly surprised me. There are several possibilities to meet other students that have similar interests and hobbies. I met folks from various nations that are similarly driven, focused, and dynamic while studying overseas. Being an international student, I have the opportunity to meet people from all cultural and social backgrounds. I enjoy interacting with individuals from all backgrounds and learning about their perspectives, this is how I have made a lot of friends both in class and at my on-campus job. Being a student in the United States, I have not only learned more about various cultures, but also came to appreciate the beauty of diversity. 

What are some specific learnings you've had in PLU's MBA program? What is your favorite part of the program?

Leadership abilities, business strategy, financial management, marketing, and entrepreneurial principles, such as idea development, business planning, and venture capital, are some of the specific things I have learned through the MBA program. The improvement of leadership abilities, such as communication, decision-making, and strategic thinking, was one of the important lessons. I also gained knowledge on effective resource management and team leadership. The program's interactive learning environment is my favorite feature. Instead of just passively receiving knowledge, the way of studying in PLU enabled me to actively participate with the subject matter.

What was your biggest challenge as an international student in PLU? And what have you tried and done to overcome them?

At first, the fast-paced setting was a little daunting, but PLU's comfortable atmosphere made it easier for me to acclimatize. I had a hard time adapting to the assignment structure, APA style writing, and grading criteria. However, the professors were always supportive to make sure I wasn't struggling to do a particular project. Although I'm not very good at public speaking, after giving presentation in class, I feel that my fear of doing so has significantly diminished. Exams, on-campus employment, and personal responsibilities occasionally made things a little too much, but planning ahead and property managing my time, I was able to balance my academic obligations with my personal and social life. 

BMW Factory in Munich! 

Tell us one of your favorite activities/experiences that you've had so far in PLU!

The MBA program at PLU involves a 10-day international experience so we went on a study abroad trip to Germany. This has got to be one of the best experiences so far. We spent four days in Berlin, taking in the city's panoramic views and engaging in academic activities that included a market immersion to better understand the distinction between German and American consumer behavior. Later, we visited the Adlershof Technology Park, where it was fascinating to observe how business and science can work together. The views from train were breathtaking as we traveled from Berlin to Munich. The BMW factory tour was among the craziest thing I did in Munich; it was incredible to witness how an actual BMW is made and put together. Later, we went to Gut Waltersteig to hear about the farm's transformation into a venue for events and the financial resources that helped make this possible. 

Lastly, what advice would you give to future lutes who are interested in enrolling at PLU?

Future Lutes who are considering enrolling at PLU should start their application process early and make sure to adhere to all deadlines and criteria. Consider looking into scholarship and financial assistance opportunities. Once you have registered, take advantage of the many chances to join clubs and organizations on campus. You may do this to expand your network of contacts, develop your talents, and generally improve your university experience. I was simply another girl with the American dream, attempting to pursue her goal of studying abroad, but PLU helped me make that dead a reality. My life has undergone an enormous transformation after moving to the United States. PLU gave me the opportunity to discover skills I had never known I possessed and fully embraced me as a young woman striving to develop her wings while learning how to fly. I am happy to call myself a LUTE and am eager to see where life leads me! 


This concludes our interview with Noorain. Thank you Noorain for your cooperation in this blog and we wish her more and more success in the U.S.!

-Rei