Past Participants
Emeka Anen
SVMP 2009
College: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Bachelors of Science in Public Health (BSPH) and Bachelors of Science in Business Administration (BSBA)
Major: Health Policy and Management Minor: Business Administration
Summer Internship: The Corporate Council on Africa
Interests: Public Speaking, Travelling, Leadership, Service, "Paying it forward", Strategy, Consulting, Running, Sports
The HBS SVMP experience simply defies words. When posed with the challenge of describing this life-changing week, I can only encourage inquiring parties to do one of two things: either imagine or, if possible, apply. In order to help visualize the experience, I advise friends to imagine expanding one's depth of knowledge under the tutelage of some of the world's most accomplished academics, to imagine the many the brilliant (and completely random) conversations that are to be had in the midst of sleepless nights while eagerly preparing for case discussions the following day, and lastly, to imagine the various applications of all of the skills that are to be gained as a result of participation in this program.
Undoubtedly, each scholar will develop his/her own various penchants throughout the week, naturally certain aspects of the program will appeal more to some than others. However, for me this was not so easily distinguishable. Not only was I motivated and gratified by having the opportunity to consistently collaborate with some of the brightest and most ambitious fellow rising seniors in the country, but I was also completely astonished by the ability of the case study method to both navigate the origins of the ZipCar Company and explain the inner workings of the subprime mortgage crisis through the power of enlightened discussion.
Indeed, it is truly programs such as SVMP that allow for a complete undergraduate experience. Although I have been fortunate enough to study and learn in various academic climates, having the opportunity to spend that invigorating week in Cambridge is one that I will forever be thankful for. Regardless of one's scholastic background, I would wholeheartedly urge any rising senior who feels up to the challenge to apply for this program.
