Alejandra Calad
Alejandra Calad moved to Houston with her son and husband, Daniel Osorio ’14, in 2012 so Daniel could start the MBA program at Rice. As he began classes, she began thinking it would be a good fit for her too. “I decided to get my MBA because I needed to expand my business knowledge. I wanted to solidify my negotiation and communication skills, hone my strategic competencies and acquire more knowledge in finance.”
Her first year at the Jones School has been a “wonderful experience. My first week at the Jones School was the International Immersion where I had the opportunity to meet my classmates from 17 different countries and share our cultures and fears of being new in this country. Rice’s community is really open, friendly and diverse.”
Alejandra’s advice to future Rice MBAs who are coming to the U.S. from another country? “Take full advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime incredible opportunity. There are no words to fully explain what you gain pursuing your MBA. It is not just academic knowledge. It is life-long friends and new experiences. Start building your Rice network before coming to school and continue it after graduation.”
Immersion for international students is a three-week rigorous experience that takes place prior to the start of the school year. The first week is dedicated to general on-boarding activities as well as several focused workshops and events to help the new Rice MBA international students ease into life in another culture and country. The final two weeks make up the regular Rice MBA Immersion with the remaining members of the incoming class in which students will begin academic coursework with their new teams.
"My experience in Houston has been amazing. Houstonians are so friendly that you quickly feel at home. Houston is definitely a culturally diverse city with people from all over the world. Houston is a tourist city as well, with amazing places like the Houston Zoo, art and science museums, parks, and a vibrant music scene."
Facts:
- Rice University, MBA ’15
- Universidad Icesi (Colombia), B.A. Business Administration ’08
- Internship: Service Account Manager, Samsung Telecommunications America
- Pre-MBA Job: Key Account Manager, Motorola Mobility Colombia
- President – Hispanic Business Student Association
- Clubs: Vice President – Strategy Club; Member – Technology Club, Marketing Club and National Association of Women MBAs
- Speaks Spanish, English and Portuguese