The mbaMission Podcast

Ep 28 | Inside the Stanford GSB's Unique Culture

• mbaMission • Season 1 • Episode 28

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In this episode of the mbaMission Podcast, Harold Simansky interviews Christine Patel, a graduate of the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Christine shares her enriching experiences at the GSB, highlighting the unique culture, the genuine connections she made, and the various activities and programs she participated in. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity among students and the lasting relationships formed during her time at Stanford.

Takeaways

  • Christine loved the close-knit community at Stanford GSB.
  • She took classes across disciplines, enhancing her learning experience.
  • Outdoor Adventures helped her build lasting friendships.
  • Study trips to Costa Rica and South Africa were highlights.
  • Stanford offers a plethora of social activities and events.
  • Authenticity is a key trait among Stanford GSB students.
  • Christine remains connected with her Stanford peers.
  • Board Fellows provided her with valuable nonprofit experience.
  • The culture at Stanford fosters genuine relationships.
  • Christine is actively involved in alumni networks.

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Harold Simansky (00:18)
Hi everyone, this is Harold Simansky with the MBA Mission Podcast, and I'm here today with my colleague Christine Patel. Hi Christine.

Christine Patel (00:24)
Hey, Harold.

Harold Simansky (00:25)
How are you today?

Christine Patel (00:26)
I'm doing well. How are you doing?

Harold Simansky (00:28)
Yeah, doing fine, doing fine. Now, some of you may know that Christine is a graduate of Stanford Graduate School of Business. And really, we're here to chat just for about five minutes, Christine, about what your experience was like. What did you like? What do you think was really unique about Stanford? And just overall, what should people considering Stanford start thinking about?

Christine Patel (00:47)
Yeah, thanks, Harold. So I love my experience at Stanford. I love the culture specifically. I think the people are very genuine given the small size of the class. I really got to know different people. And I think that, you know, that close tight knit community was one of the biggest things that I genuinely loved about Stanford. The second piece is

is really the ability to take classes across the street. mean, obviously the GSB is amazing too. But I love meeting all these new people as well outside of the business school. And I took classes across the street at BioX building, was a basically we look at biomedical innovations, biomedical, we looked at different case studies actually too. And it was really interesting. We had professors from the medical school and engineering as well as the business school.

And I just had such a great time in these programs across the street as well.

Harold Simansky (01:47)
That's great. That's great. So I was out to visit Stanford about three years ago and I went to campus and I have to tell you, it was amazing. What was it like just in terms of the social life, what your community was like, things that are involved with me outside of the classroom.

Christine Patel (02:03)
Yes, so outside the classroom, I was very fortunate. I had a roommate. lived in Schwab. I got to meet lots of people there just within my dorm.

so I was part of Board Fellows where I was on the board of a nonprofit. For this one, it was the Indian Health Center. So I got to meet people in that capacity. And I also was part of something called Outdoor Adventures. I was first year part of this group that was an orientation that went to Yosemite to go rock climbing. And there actually I met some of my closest friends and I loved it so much that the second year I became one of the leaders.

Harold Simansky (02:38)
That's crazy.

Christine Patel (02:41)
to then take people out to go rock climbing my second year in Yosemite as well. I love the outdoors. I was also fortunate to go to multiple study groups, study trips. So the first year I went to Costa Rica on a study trip that focused on sustainability. I met actually some of my best friends in that study trip actually. So that was amazing. Some of them became my housemates my second year. My second year, I actually was very fortunate and I helped lead a trip

to go to South Africa. So that was also an amazing experience. I actually went to the deepest gold mine in the world. And actually from that experience, I decided I would never buy gold again, honestly, just by looking at that. but we also had fun. We did a few safaris, wine tasting in Stullenbach area. Of course that was amazing. There's also an annual Vegas trip that GSBers take.

Harold Simansky (03:12)
Go well.

Christine Patel (03:38)
I was fortunate to go on that every year. The majority of the class goes on those trips. And then there's something called Friends of R.J. Miller Foam. That's a social event that occurs every week. honestly, there's so many activities you could do at Stanford. You could spend your whole time doing that if you wanted to, if you're not careful. and since then, I've still been in touch with a lot of these friends. And I'm actually currently part of a GSB Women's Circle in Marin.

Harold Simansky (03:46)
Okay, yes.

way.

next.

Christine Patel (04:07)
And I'm going to actually a GSB conference in a few weeks for Asian Americans. And so I'm still in touch with so many people at the GSB.

Harold Simansky (04:13)
Okay.

No, that makes sense. That makes sense. Great then. I have been to Stellenbosch myself in South Africa. It's amazing. It's absolutely amazing. Really like, yeah, it's a really unique place. It's not just a plug for MBA mission. Now it's a plug for South Africa. So Christine, obviously Stanford's a great place. He's also the most selective business school. So you have the opportunity to see what type of person is there really from the inside.

Christine Patel (04:22)
Nice. Yes. Yes. Table Mountain. Beautiful place. Yeah. Yeah.

Right, right.

Yes.

Yes.

Harold Simansky (04:46)
Is there any one thing that you think really sets Stanford apart in terms of its students? Or is that sort of through line for Stanford students?

Christine Patel (04:55)
Yes.

Yes, I think you know the biggest thing that stands out to me is that people are truly genuine and authentic. I think that goes a very long way. You know, I've met so many amazing people there who've done lots of different things. Obviously they're really strong at various areas, but I think the thing that really sets them apart is just being true to themselves and being authentic. I really appreciate the relationships I've had and I've had so many people help me throughout these years, both personally and professionally, and I you know I've.

I really want to pay for it.

Harold Simansky (05:31)
Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. Great then. Great. Well, now a little commercial for MBA Mission. If you want to speak to either me or Christine or any one of our 20 or so colleagues for 30 minutes, we can answer your questions. We can go over your profile, really anything that's top of mind for you, but only sign up by going to our website for a free MBA Mission consultation. Also take a look at all of the different resources we have, all for free on our website. Really some great stuff there.

with that in mind, Christine, any final thoughts?

Christine Patel (06:01)
No, Harold, I think you've done such a great job. Thank you for this amazing podcast.

Harold Simansky (06:05)
Of course, of course. Christine, I'll speak to you again then.

Christine Patel (06:08)
All right, take care. Bye bye.

Harold Simansky (06:09)
Bye