5 Reasons to join the Berkeley Haas Global Access Program I did not know before coming to Berkeley
Deciding whether to spend a semester abroad, and especially where, can be a difficult choice. When I applied for the Berkeley Haas Global Access Program, or BHGAP, it wasn’t a clear-cut decision. I had shortly visited San Francisco in my teenage years — and liked it a lot — and of course I was aware Haas School of Business is among the best in the world, but what did I really know? Curricula descriptions and other publicly available information will give you an indication of what you will learn, but do not nearly cover all you will experience. And let’s not forget it is a significant investment — both in terms of time and money— to spend a semester or even a year abroad. Having been at Berkeley Haas for ten months, I now realise coming here was the best decision I could’ve made— but most reasons why were still unknown to me when I applied. Hence, a list of five less obvious reasons why you should consider joining the Berkeley Haas Global Access Program.
1. The things you learn at BHGAP are very broadly applicable
Entrepreneurship and innovation are not just for those who think about launching their own start-up. Fundamentally, the program is about customer-centered thinking, how to cope with a changing world and drive (positive) change, and strategy. In addition, I learned many skills related to those topics, such as the psychology of decision making, lean/agile management, and negotiation skills. While all this knowledge is at the foundation of entrepreneurship, it is also applicable in many other areas, both professionally and personally. For example, ‘Introduction to Entrepreneurship’ taught me how to use hypothesis-based experiments to test ideas. What’s more, these skills are increasingly relevant in the extremely dynamic world we live in. As a consequence, following the program will benefit people with all kinds of future careers.
2. The BHGAP staff and students
A few years ago, BHGAP was launched with the aim to prepare students from diverse disciplines, backgrounds and cultures with the knowledge, skills and connections needed to to excel as future innovators and global leaders. It really surprised me how committed the staff was to this vision. The staff and faculty are very involved in the program, but in an organic and personal way. They take the students and the quality of the program to heart. This vibe in turn reflects on the students, who tend to do more than just attend the classes. Last semester for example, two of my fellow students organised an event for BHGAP students, for which they invited speakers from all around the world. The people really increased my personal attachment to BHGAP, and are the reason I share my experiences with you here. Finally, the students themselves form a very diverse mix of cultures, ages and backgrounds. From engineers to lawyers, from undergrads to people who already have serious (10+ years) work experience, and from Peru to Kazakhstan. This mix is clearly visible in the diversity of ideas brought to class. As a bonus, you can suddenly visit friends at lots of exotic destinations around the globe.
BHGAP’s vision is to prepare students from diverse nationalities and disciplines with the knowledge, skills and connections necessary to to excel as future innovators and global leaders.
3. Haas culture, Berkeley’s values and the Bay Area mindset
A large, and maybe even the largest, impact this year had on me concerns my way of thinking. First, there is the Bay Area mindset, which is characterised by three things: (1) failure is good (but fail fast and learn from it), (2) coopetition, which is the idea that everybody works together, even competitors, and (3) the pay-it-forward mentality: everybody (and I mean, everybody) helps others, even when they’re not immediately getting something in return. I have not seen a similar mindset anywhere else in the world, and it forms the foundation of the success of Silicon Valley. It surprised me how quick this mindset became part of my own thinking.
Second, Berkeley very strongly values inclusion, diversity (of people and of thought), and doing what’s right. For example, UC Berkeley takes a firm stance on having all its research publicly available (since it is a public institute), even though it caused them serious problems. What’s more: in the ’60s, Berkeley was the cradle and epicentre of the Free Speech Movement. These values are exemplary for society and should be at the heart of any aspiring leader.
Third, Haas School of Business has fostered its own distinctive culture with the four Defining Leadership Principles. These principles provide clear guidance on how to achieve a positive impact on the world. And trust me, these are not just an abstract set of guidelines only applied by the top management of the school. All staff, faculty and students take them very seriously. The principles are even embedded in the walls and floors of Haas’ buildings, and part of the BHGAP core course ‘Thriving at Haas’ focuses on how to embody these principles in your lives. Applying these concepts in my own way of thinking really helps me make better decisions — and being more confident in following up on them.
4. Berkeley (and BHGAP) showcases the future
Being one of the two major research institutions in the Bay Area (aside from that red one), Berkeley showcases the future. Many of the world’s most innovative companies originate from and are located in Silicon Valley, the founders of which are often former ‘Bears’ (Berkeley students), such as Apple, Tesla and Lime. BHGAP organises site visits to about a dozen of these companies per semester, during which employees give a unique, first-person insight into whats happening behind the doors. In addition, ‘the future’ is clearly incorporated in local society. Since the people in the Bay Area are very tech-savvy, they love to showcase the newest of the newest gadgets to their friends. An example of this is the many ways Berkeley students get around: using electronically-driven steps and skateboards, monowheels and basically anything they can get their hands on. Berkeley is also home to the world’s largest autonomous driving robot delivery service, better known as Kiwibot:
It’s awesome to see all these things in play, and it gives you an idea of what the near future might look like (which helps making strategic decisions). But not only the technologies are futuristic: Berkeley has had a long tradition of being thought leaders — something shown by the values I’ve discussed. Haas’ motto is not coincidentally “New thinking for the new economy”. Living in that future is cool and exciting, and, more importantly, really challenges you to go beyond yourself.
5. Berkeley is the world in a grain of sand
Berkeley is an extremely culturally diverse city, especially considering its small size. This is visible in the student population and faculty, but also Berkeley itself. It has more cuisines than you probably can think of — or than you’re able to try in just one semester. This can be attributed to California itself, being a state of immigrants, but it is definitely hugely influenced by UC Berkeley’s policies. Berkeley makes a tradition of celebrating these differences; you’ll for example see many cultural events throughout the year. Living in the International House, a residency with around 80 different nationalities among its residents, enhanced this multicultural experience for me. Being in such a small place with so many different cultures — and people proud to showcase their culture — really boosts your understanding of the world and your intercultural skills. Over the past year, I’ve worked with people from over 15 different countries and from almost all continents (still waiting for that Antarctican). This was often challenging, but also very interesting. If you want to work in an international environment, that knowledge and experience is incredibly valuable.
Bonus: limitless learning opportunities
It’s a bit of a cliché, and definitely something you’ll expect before you head down to the Bay Area, but nonetheless I feel like it cannot be stressed enough: Berkeley will provide you with more learning opportunities than you will ever be able to seize. Seriously. There is so much happening — in the Bay, on campus and even just at Haas School of Business — that you’ll miss out on much more than you’d like to. Picking your opportunities and letting go of the others is one of the hardest things about attending Berkeley. On the positive side: BHGAP values students exploring ‘life outside of BHGAP’; it makes sure students have enough time for other activities and even provides numerous opportunities to explore. For example, the program offers many guest lectures, site visits, trips, workshops and low-key lunches, aside from the classes. What’s more, the staff stresses students not to take too many extra classes, but instead use the time to broaden their horizon. In their opinion, the experience outside the classroom is just as important as the classes itself; and I couldn’t agree more.
One of BHGAP’s main goals is to have students explore the endless amounts of learning opportunities in and around campus.
Summarising: there is much more to Berkeley than it being the #1 public university in the world. While you’ll find most of these characteristics at other top universities, I believe the combination of all of them is what makes Berkeley truly unique. BHGAP will allow you to experience the Berkeley life — whether it is for a semester or an entire year. For anyone who’s looking to leave their comfort zone and open their mind to a world of possibilities, BHGAP is a great next step. Or in dean Harrison’s words: “BHGAP aims to be a transforming experience for all its students.”
What are you waiting for?
