In my previous entries, I've said I'm determined to learn from the MBA students I'm teaching while in Armenia. So far, I've garnered a few insights that might be of interest to you, too...


Acting collectively has its merits. - OK, collective answer-sharing during tests (which frequently happens) is not good. But you have to admire the principle behind the students' actions. They share a sense of responsibility for helping out the weakest link. Whereas my U.S. students compete for grades, my class here readily shares notes, books and case studies .... even if it impinges on their own studying time.

Books and paper are precious. .... Most of my students cannot afford $150 textbooks. So, they share (see above), read in the library or make copies of key chapters. But even the copied chapters are costly, so these, too, are passed around. Frankly, my students are shocked by the way Americans mangle their expensive educational materials. The box of used texts I brought from my U.S. campus was received with a tinge of horror. "Who rips pages and writes in these expensive books?" they asked as they thumbed through the tattered texts that were less than a year old.
Skepticism can be healthy. .... I will admit that after having presented my class with scores of examples of smart, highly effective public relations campaigns, I am becoming a bit tired of comments like "that's just propaganda." Yet, these students .... born at the end of the Soviet era .... are understandably wary of most marketing and public relations claims. They challenge messaging that has even the slightest scent of insincerity or corporate greed.

Female empowerment is global and exciting. .... Most of my MBA class is female. Twenty years ago, this would not have been the case. Aware that they are part of a new generation of empowered women, my female students are eager to learn – and equally eager to earn. Watching them enter the workforce will be thrilling.

The whole world doesn't want to be American. .... Americans abroad tend to think everyone wants to be like them. (Just look at all the blue jeans on the streets!) The truth is, while our culture is pervasive, we are not loved. And we are definitely not envied, especially during this time of economic melt-down. National pride runs very deep in most countries .... Americans need to learn and respect this simple fact.
Real connections are always best. .... With dial-up the most prevalent Internet connection, most of my students don't spend their lives with their noses in their laptops. They connect via traditional media .... simple human conversations. As a result, their relationships are clearly stronger. Women .... and sometimes men -- greet each other with kisses and hugs. They actually enjoy each others' company.
On Monday, we are starting our social networking segment of class. While my students take notes, so will I. I'm eager to get their perspective on the topic.