"I chose the Merage School because I knew it would help me realize my goal of product management in the technology or automotive industry. The School’s renowned faculty, dynamic vision and unique location made my decision very easy."

Vital Statistics
	Graduating Year: 2009
	Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
	Undergraduate and Previous Work Experience: Electrical Engineering, Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia, Chief Engineer, Road Track de Colombia
	Major: Electrical Engineering
	Internship while in the Program: Corporate Planning Intern, Kia Motors America
	Extracurricular Activities: Officer, Marketing Association, Officer, Business and Technology Association, Officer, Key Assets
	Just for Fun: Going to the beach, hiking with my wife, walking around Balboa Island and other outdoor activities in Orange County
	OC Favorite Places: On Balboa Island there’s a great Mexican restaurant – Picante Martins. I always recommend it to friends.

They Convinced Kia to Create an Internship Program The Merage MBA Career Center was instrumental in helping me get an internship with Kia Motors America. They went to Kia and convinced them to create an internship program. It was the first time Kia had ever had an internship program for MBA students, and as a result of their efforts, Kia posted a position with the MBA Career Center. The Career Center helped me apply and prepare for the rigorous interview process at Kia. In my role as corporate planning intern, I conducted market and product elasticity research. As a career changer, this position was challenging, but I was able to apply the analytical tools I learned in the first year of the MBA Program, and as a result, Kia was very satisfied with my work.

The Program Helped Me Grow as a Person I can say that the program has not only helped me change my career, but the MBA experience at the Merage School has broadened my understanding of global business. In my classes, I am interacting with students who have diverse professional backgrounds, many of whom are from other countries. It has been a wonderful opportunity to learn about different business cultures around the globe. During this first year, I have established strong ties with classmates from around the world, and these relationships have truly enriched my MBA experience and helped me to grow as a person.

"It has been a wonderful opportunity to learn about different business cultures around the globe." Juan Felipe Urbina

I Had to Walk a Wire 50 Feet Above Ground! One of the things I enjoyed most during the first weeks of the MBA Program was the Challenge Course - something I thought I would never do.  I walked on a wire about 50 feet above ground.  Fortunately it was a team activity, and in my group of eight students, we all managed to get through it and develop as a group, thanks to fantastic teamwork. I knew that going back to school was going to be challenging, but thanks to the orientation during the first weeks of the Program, as well as the support of the faculty in the first months, it has been a great experience. I’ve not only learned and developed new business skills, but I have also expanded my business and social networks.