Get to know the MSc Class of 2019: MSc Communications Team

Our class of 2019 is in full swing and our 2018's will be finished the program here at Ivey in one month!

Taking over our @IveyMScStudents twitter and new @iveymscstudentlife Instagram account with be the communications team. These students oversee these social media platforms and contribute to the MSc student blog over their time here at Ivey. Get to know the students below by reading their brief bio's and be sure to follow along with them as they travel for their IGL (Ivey Global Lab), IAL (Ivey Analytics Lab), exchanges and much more!

MSc 2019 Communications Team

Abdul Basharat- MSc in International Business with CEMS-MIM 

Hometown:	Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
Undergraduate Program & University:	Western University, Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies- Aviation & Finance.
What Emoji best represents you?
If you could do anything for one day, what would it be?	Fly across the Antarctic.
Why did you choose the Ivey MSc Program?	I had the option to pursue a full-time role with the Canadian Armed Forces but decided it wasn’t for me. The CEMS program was a great way to gain more experience for a career pivot and travel through the exchange terms.
What is your favorite book?	A Series of Unfortunate Events - Lemony Snicket.

Afshin Nensi- MSc in Business Analytics

Hometown:	Markham, Ontario, Canada.
Undergraduate Program & University:	Western University, Bachelor of Science- Medical Science & Biology.
What Emoji best represents you?
If you could do anything for one day, what would it be?	I would rent a beach house in Thailand for me and 10 of my closest friends.
Why did you choose the Ivey MSc Program?	The Ivey MSc is a unique experience in itself – it’s a program that doesn’t just focus on ensuring that you receive a high-quality education. It looks to produce global leaders, individuals who will succeed on all forefronts and be able to critically and extensively apply their knowledge on diverse platforms. This program not only provides a strong business acumen, but focuses on business analytics, and the program itself requires strategic thinking and application to real-life business situations. I see my journey at Ivey as a stepping stone for me to combine my interests in science, healthcare, and informatics and leverage the technical and soft skills I will gain through the MSc to set me apart from the competition in the future. We see this first hand with the opportunity to test our skills first hand in the IAL - there is an obvious growing demand for individuals to not only have an expertise in business or their field of study but have the analytical skills to be able to translate data into making data-driven decisions and lead a team towards a successful goal.
Who would you want to play you in a movie?	Shahrukh Khan

Connie Wong- MSc in International Business with CEMS-MIM 

Hometown:	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Undergraduate Program & University:	Western University. Bachelor of Arts- French & Japanese.
What Emoji best represents you?
If you could do anything for one day, what would it be?	Be a Michelin restaurant inspector/ taster.
Why did you choose the Ivey MSc Program?	“Travelling will show you what reality is. You will have heard, seen, and experienced truth." The MSc program is giving me the opportunity to work in Hanoi Vietnam, go on exchange to the Rotterdam School of Management, and go on exchange to the National University of Singapore. I believe that the international experiences paired with the exceptional business program here at Ivey will give me valuable perspectives that will influence and help me for the rest of my life.
What is your favorite book?	When Breath Becomes Air, Paul Kalanithi.

Corinne Peters- MSc in Business Analytics

Hometown:	Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Undergraduate Program & University:	Dalhousie University, Bachelor of Science- Math.
What Emoji best represents you?
If you could do anything for one day, what would it be?	Spend the whole day at the beach.
Why did you choose the Ivey MSc Program?	I chose the Ivey MSc program because it is an extension of all the things I loved from my undergrad. During my undergrad in math, I competed as a Canadian National Team athlete. My love for sports and problem solving have evolved into a passion for the business of sport. At Ivey, you learn from world-class professionals in respective fields giving you a well rounded educational experience and motivating you to explore new areas you hadn't considered. Entering with a passion for sports analytics and limited ideas about how to get there Ivey has challenged me to gain the technical and professional skills needed in every industry. As a bonus, my colleagues are incredibly diverse in their experiences which leads to incredible connections and friendships.
Who would play you in a movie?	Zooey Deschanel.
What is your favorite book?	The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini and To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee.

Erin Juravsky- MSc in International Business

Hometown:	Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Undergraduate Program & University:	McGill University, Bachelor of Science- Kinesiology.
What Emoji best represents you?
If you could do anything for one day, what would it be?	Sleep.
Why did you choose the Ivey MSc Program?	I chose the MSc program not only because it will provide me with a great business education, but also because it’s giving me the opportunity to explore new places I wouldn’t have otherwise landed in. The IGL is such a unique experience that only the Ivey MSc can offer. I’m hoping that my placement in India this summer will supply me with the work and life experience that will allow me to thrive in my future career.

Jeanne Catteau- MSc in International Business with CEMS-MIM

Hometown:	Besancon, France.
Undergraduate Program & University:	HEC Montreal, Bachelor of Commerce- Management & Marketing.
What Emoji best represents you?
If you could do anything for one day, what would it be?	I think I would like to be the CEO of a leading company in the Cosmetic Industry for one day (Like L'Oreal). I would love to see what kind of responsibilities such a role involves, what kind of relationships you have to manage, what day-to-day tasks you have to achieve, what meetings you have to assist or lead, what vision for the company you have to convey, how you can inspire people. It must be very challenging, but so thrilling at the same time.
Why did you choose the Ivey MSc Program?	I chose the MSc program because I wanted to give myself the best chances to pursue an exciting career in International Management. The MSc program was the perfect fit for me, as it allows me to study in North America, while bringing me to my native continent, Europe, through the CEMS program. Most importantly, I wanted to meet people from various backgrounds and learn from their diverse perspectives; and I can tell I develop my skills and knowledge every day, thanks to my peers. One last thing that made me chose this program is the opportunity to travel while studying. I will be studying and working in 4 different countries in only 1 year and a half. I don't know many programs that offer the same opportunity!
What is your favorite book?	What the Day Owes the Night, Yasmina Khadra.

 Kieran Cousins- MSc in International Business

Hometown:	Kingston, Jamaica.
Undergraduate Program & University:	McGill University, Bachelor of Arts- Economics & International Development.
What Emoji best represents you?
If you could do anything for one day, what would it be?	Spend it laying on my favorite place laying on the beach with my friends and family in Treasure Beach, Jamaica.
Why did you choose the Ivey MSc Program?	I chose Ivey and the MSc. program because I believe it will provide me the opportunity and ability to build on my social & professional skill set, through a more business-oriented approach which I was not able to achieve during my undergraduate degree. Through the case-based method, it transforms the way students learn in a formal setting, allowing them to learn theoretical information, while simultaneously building analytical skills. Furthermore, the MSc. program in International Business provides students the opportunity to have global experiences through the IGL project. This is definitely one of the distinguishing factors for the MSc. at Ivey, as we are able to use the learning experiences we have in the classroom and apply them to real-world situations, while under the pressure of being in an unfamiliar cultural setting.
Who would you want to play you in a movie?	Seth Rogan.

Mia Martinovic- MSc in International Business with CEMS-MIM

Hometown:	Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Undergraduate Program & University:	Western University, Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies- Consumer Behaviour, Minor in French.
What Emoji best represents you?
If you could do anything for one day, what would it be?	I've always wanted to visit Peru so I'd love to spend a day there exploring.
Why did you choose the Ivey MSc Program?	I chose the MSc program for many reasons. Firstly, Ivey has an amazing reputation and is known for their case-based method of learning which gives us the opportunity to apply our academic knowledge to real business cases. I love how the MSc program, in particular,r attracts a very diverse group of individuals. I have met people from so many different backgrounds, culturally and academically, which provides very diverse perspectives and I am able to learn so much from my peers. This summer, I will be working in Nicaragua for my Ivey Global Lab with a local firm, an opportunity I would most likely not have outside of this program. This will allow me to work in a developing economy to improve my management and problem-solving skills and also be able to improve my Spanish speaking skills. Lastly, I am very excited to be a part of CEMS which is a big reason I chose this program. I will be studying at London School of Economics and Korea University Business School. This program will push me to step outside my comfort zone and I will be to studying/working in a total of 4 countries over the next 16 months. However, this isn’t simply 16 months. Another reason for applying was both Ivey’s and CEMS’s amazing alumni network and continuous opportunities they provide that will open many doors for myself and allow me to excel in my future career. Overall, I’m very excited to be in this program and looking forward to all that is in store in the next few months!
Who would you want to play you in a movie?	Emma Watson.

Paula Gilvesy- MSc in International Business

Hometown:	Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada.
Undergraduate Program & University:	Western University, Honours Specialization Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies- ConsumerBehaviourr.
What Emoji best represents you?
If you could do anything for one day, what would it be?	If I could do anything for 1 day, I would spend the morning on a beautiful long hike, and would spend the second half of the day cooking and having a huge meal with all my loved ones!
Why did you choose the Ivey MSc Program?	I chose the MSc program because I felt it was the best tool to help me grow and expand my career horizons. Although my undergraduate degree equipped me with a strong business foundation, I was interested in learning more about international business and knew Ivey was the perfect place to do this while fine-tuning my professional skill-set. The MSc program is so diverse, that I am able to learn as much from this incredible network of peers as I am from my professors. I am also able to take away practical and applicable knowledge from our case-based learning structure. The MSc program has allowed me to develop my business knowledge alongside my personal skills, and I highly recommend it to any student considering the program.

Salena Singh- MSc in International Business with CEMS-MIM

Hometown:	Chandigarh, India.
Undergraduate Program & University:	Panjab University, Bachelor of Commerce.
What Emoji best represents you?
If you could do anything for one day, what would it be?	I would walk in the streets of Paris all day with my favorite person, eating croissants.
Why did you choose the Ivey MSc Program?	I choose the MSc program to expand my skill set, learn how to solve real-world problems through case studies and capture the numerous career opportunities this program provides internationally.
What is your favorite book?	Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach.

Shirley Han- MSc in Business Analytics

Hometown:	Beijing, China.
Undergraduate Program & University:	Brescia University College at Western University. Honors Bachelor of Science in Food Management.
What Emoji best represents you?
If you could do anything for one day, what would it be?	Visit Santorini, Greece.
Why did you choose the Ivey MSc Program?	I want to explore my potential by further developing soft skills and building technical skills through the Business Analytics stream.
Who would you want to play you in a movie?	Robin Wright.

Vaidehi Parikh- MSc in International Business with CEMS-MIM

Hometown:	Ahmedabad, India.
Undergraduate Program & University:	Gujarat Technological University. Bachelor of Engineering, Computer Science.
What Emoji best represents you?
If you could do anything for one day, what would it be?	I loved the cartoon character Doremon and his companion Nobida when I was a child. Actually, I still do! Doremon had a set of these amazing gadgets, using which he would help Nobida out of any problem. The best gadget he ever had was called an 'ALL WAY DOOR'. I watched in wonder as Doremon would pull out the door from his toolkit, open it and reach wherever he wanted in the blink of an eye. I always thought that if there is one thing I could do in my life, it would be to have this door. So that I can just reach wherever I want in this whole wide world, whenever I want and be with whoever I want.
Why did you choose the Ivey MSc Program?	This is an era of startups and since early days of my under-graduation in Computer Science, I always wanted to have a venture of my own. A successful business is a combination of sound technology and application of business knowledge. So after graduating in Computer science, I decided to learn International Business, which would thus provide me with the required exposure and knowledge to start my own venture. As for choosing CEMS, an insatiable desire to travel and explore the world brought me to choose it. What can be better than me doing international internships and getting to study at two world-class universities in a single programme? This Ivey MSc and CEMS is one of its kind in a way that it opens up your horizons, gives you exposure to the world and gives you an opportunity to work amongst the most intelligent and like minded people, the school has so carefully chosen for the programme. I knew that my hunger for real world knowledge, exposure to world class education and desire to travel and explore will rightly be fulfilled by this programme. This belief of mine has certainly been re-enforced after I started it, and I am sure I am coming out as a better and more competitive person than I was, after this course.
What is your favorite book?	A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

Xiaojun Zhu - MSc in International Business with CEMS-MIM

Hometown:	Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.
Undergraduate Program & University:	Dongbei University & Western University, Honours Specialization Bachelor of Arts- Economics.
What Emoji best represents you?
If you could do anything for one day, what would it be?	I would jump right into a rocket and fly to the moon for a one day trip.
Why did you choose the Ivey MSc Program?	Ivey MSc is a unique program. In this program, you would expect to live a typical "Ivey life" - you study the case-study methodology and do contribution on every class, you network with your future companies and recruiters on a regular basis, and you learn how to leverage your skills and experiences. I specifically choose International Business with CEMS program because I can go to three countries that I've never been to for internships and exchanges. I see this program as a rare chance for me to open my perspective about the world as wild as possible by living in four different states. It would also help me to learn different ways of thinking and learning from both academic and practical perspective. Academically, I could have a chance to study different teaching and learning styles from top business schools in different countries. Practically, besides the opportunity to go on exchange, I could have chances to go to India, Vietnam or Nicaragua for 2 months to do an internship there. This program definitely prepares ourselves better to become multi-national talents and do business in the real world.