Mtrek

Kati Prause, MBA2 Trek Leader
Trip: Isle Royale

After a great experience going on M-Trek as an MBA1, I knew wanted to lead my own trip the next year. My fellow trek leaders and I chose to show off a lesser-traveled but amazing area of Michigan–Isle Royale. Isle Royale is a national park on an island in the middle of Lake Superior and one of the most beautiful places in Michigan. I grew up in Michigan and know many of the beautiful sights in the state, but Isle Royale is one place I had never visited. I really enjoyed leading the incoming students and showing them what Michigan has to offer – challenging hiking trails, beautiful lakes – both ‘great’ and small, and wildlife too.

After driving through Michigan and taking a ferry over to Isle Royale, we were finally ready to hit the trail! We backpacked around the island for 3 days, taking a challenging route and definitely putting our endurance to the test. In the middle of the wilderness, we saw scenic views and wildlife at every turn. We even saw moose walking through our campsite one night! It was definitely a highlight of the trip.

On the way back to Ann Arbor, we made another stop at Traverse City, where we had a more relaxing portion of the trip. We visited some local wineries, spent a day biking along the Mission peninsula, and made a side trip over to the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes. Each day was followed by big campfire, where we swapped stories, ate S’mores, and got to know each other.

Of course M-Trek is about more than just the great sights we saw. It is about bonding with your fellow classmates and getting to know them outside of the classroom setting. I know how valuable it was for me as a first year MBA to get to know the second year students who led my M-Trek. Meeting them provided another network of people I could rely upon for questions about my future career, my academic concentration, and about life at Ross in general. M-Trek was an integral part of my Ross experience, and I would recommend it to everyone!

Jessica Goldberg
Trip: China

Last August, I went on an M-Trek to China. Little did I know when I landed what an adventure I was in for!

After touring Shanghai for a day, my group flew into the wondrous land of Li-Jiang. We knew we were no longer in the U.S. when we couldn’t get scrambled eggs for breakfast.

We spent one day at Lugu Lake, where we took boat rides to the other side of the lake. One of the other trekkers, Marc, took a picture inside a religious building and was asked to leave. It was taking some time, but we were slowly learning the ways of the land.

Over the next couple of days, we hiked up Snow Mountain and trekked for miles in the mud and rain. I must say, though, when we got to the top of the mountain, it was well worth the hike. I was continuously motivated by my fellow trekkers telling me, “You can do it…”

And to top it all off, Marc got “married” in a stylized ceremony. To two wives! And he already has a wife! Greedy fellow. I don’t know if his wife knows though, so don’t tell her…! 

All in all, it was a great trip. Spending a week in China definitely bonded our whole group. It was really valuable to start the year at Ross with some very close friends and to have stories to tell to all the new people we met at orientation. The M-Trek was such a great experience for me that I have decided to lead one next year to Alaska.

Adventures await…

Testimonials from 2006 M-Treks

Vanessa Frey
Trip: Iceland
Home before Ross: Washington, DC

Doing an M-Trek was by far the best decision I’ve made at Ross! Not only did I get to travel to an amazing place, but I also built strong friendships with four MBA 2s and seven other MBA 1s before RLP even started.

My M-Trek last summer was to Iceland, a fantastic country that I likely never would have gone to otherwise. The first part of the trip involved backpacking through the most magnificent landscape I have ever seen. I was nervous going into the trip about trekking – my previous hiking experience maxed out at 3 miles – but I was glad to find myself up to the challenge. We also had to navigate around (or through) obstacles such as geysers and rivers, which made the day a bit more interesting! Luckily, a few of our campsites had hot springs, which was a great way to relax after a long day of walking.

After our hardcore hiking, we went snowmobiling on top of Iceland’s largest glacier (which is comfortably situated on top of an active volcano). I must say I felt like a member of Top Gun in my snowmobiling outfit, although I lost all street cred when our guide pointed out I had my helmet on backwards.

Our last few days were spent in the capital of Reykjavik. Apparently the town is where all the cool kids in Europe hang out – some of us were definitely seen as lame by the locals when we went home at 3am. Icelanders, however, are very friendly, and we met quite a few over the two nights we were in town. There was also a “Culture night” festival going on the first evening we were there, with live bands playing outside as long as it remained light (which in the summer was about midnight).

In summary, the trip was absolutely amazing. It was funny to think during RLP that less than a week ago I was camping in the arctic circle. Plus I now have great memories with a great group of people – memories that we get to reminisce about throughout the year during our monthly M-Trek reunions.

Testimonials from 2005 M-Treks

Sameer Agarwal
Trip: Su Peru
Home before Ross: Cambridge, MA
My trek to Peru was one of the most memorable experiences of my life! The group of 4 second year leaders and 12 other MBA 1’s was a great group of people. I was amazed at how interesting everyone was and how different our backgrounds were.

We started off the trip in Lima where we were able to take in all that the city had to offer, from historical monuments to the local night life. After that, we flew to the mountain town of Cusco where we went horseback riding and white water rafting. In addition, we were able to take in some great local restaurants.

From there we begun 3 days and nights hiking in the Andes. We hit 17,000 feet in altitude, although part of the group, including myself, had to get to the top on horseback. The scenery was some of the most beautiful and rugged landscape I have ever seen. After we crossed the mountain pass at 17,000 feet, we descended into a maize colored valley for a day and came across the farms of families that lived two to three days from civilization. The entire hike gave us the chance to test ourselves physically and mentally as well as get to know each other really well.

On fourth day, we went to the lost city of Machu Picchu, which lived up to its billing of being a true man made wonder. Then we spent one last night in Lima with our native trip leader who took us to a fantastic club for the last night.

The trip was incredibly worthwhile. Having friends to hang out with during MLP made the transition to Ann Arbor much easier and more fun. Today, many of the people I met are my closest friends at school. I think my Michigan experience would be totally different without the trip and I can not wait to lead one myself this summer!

Testimonials from 2004 M-Treks

Michael Di Christino
Trip: The Lobster Trek
Home before Ross: Brooklyn, NY
What is gritty, grueling, intense, fast paced, fun and delicious? Why, the Lobster Trek of course! Our trip to Maine, which included four second-year leaders and eight incoming first-years, exceeded all my expectations. Acadia National Park is more beautiful, and more diverse, than I could have imagined.

Our activities took full advantage of that beauty and diversity. Activities included biking on scenic carriage roads which offered lush views of crystal clear streams and waterfalls, kayaking off the coast of Bar Harbor to explore some of the islands of Acadia, whitewater rafting on the Penobscot River (Class V rapids I’m told) and rock climbing on the sheer granite hundred foot cliffs of Acadia.

But the highlight of the trip was definitely the lobster. As it turned out, our feast almost never happened, as the boiling pot we used (actually a galvanized steel garbage can) leaked. But with the resourcefulness (and desperation) of twelve future MBAs, we improvised, persevered, and feasted. Of course the trip would not have been successful or fun without the camaraderie and guidance of classmates. The second-year leaders were very informative and helpful in preparing the first-years for our entry into B-school. And the friendships developed continue to grow. In fact, our M-Trek crew recently had a reunion. M-Trek was the perfect way to begin my Michigan MBA career.




Jessica Witt
Trip: Patagonia Playtime
Home before Ross: Chicago, IL
Patagonia Playtime was the perfect name for our trip: we spent the entire week playing in the snow! Our 30-hour journey from the U.S. landed us in Bariloche, Argentina, a village situated in Upper Patagonia, a ski pole’s throw from the Chilean border, with significant German, Polish, and Dutch influence. As we dined the first evening together after arriving at our accommodations, we recalibrated our brains to the Spanish we hadn’t given much attention since high school. The next morning, with skis and boards sharpened and waxed, our diverse group set out on the first of six exciting days of skiing and riding on beautiful Mount Catedral. The views were outstanding from the summit, and when they weren’t, you could bet we were enjoying some new powder that was falling. Variety was the name of the game: a broad selection of slopes and types of terrain gave everyone plenty of choices, and we would mix up skiing groups everyday to get best acquainted with each other. The entire group would meet at the main ski lodge for lunch, which consisted of lomito completos (a glorious steak and egg sandwich that comes on a hoagie roll and is adorned with tomatoes, cheese, and sometimes a dressing or spread). These lomito completos became the prescribed midday diet for our group, and fueled our high performance on the slopes. On our final day we took a scenic driving tour of the surrounding area which included a shopping trip to town.

Luckily there were no injuries during our trip, however, two of our skiers had falls one day in which they each slid 60 to 70 yards down the hill before coming to a complete stop.

But enough of the skiing and riding; let’s get back to talking about the food and our gluttonous meals! As our palates became more sensitized to the subtleties of the lomito, we sought out and sampled its variations in the local community. As we came to find out, Argentinean beef is one of the most precious foods in our hemisphere. One night a majority of us all had two-plus pound filets that only cost ten American dollars!

The most amazing part of the trip was the close bond formed among all the participants and leaders. The transition into school was much easier as a result of having these new friends as well as having been able to talk through the unknowns of life at business school over the course of the trip. We have gained lifelong friends and great mentors. In all, M-Trek was a great way to kick off a new life at Ross School of Business.




Gary Rabinovich
Trip: Sicily - Giuseppe vs. the Volcano
Home before Ross: Falls Church, VA
“Cover your faces,” I heard Marco yell out, “we will need to move through this part fast!” As I placed my makeshift bandana around my mouth and nose, I looked over the edge of the crater. You could not see very deep because of the sulfur smoke that was continually billowing out and filling the eyes and lungs of passersby like us. But you could still appreciate the enormity of the scene. We were at the top of Mt. Etna, 3350 meters (10,660 feet) above sea level, staring down the mouth of Europe’s largest and most active volcano. “Come on!” Marco, our local Sicilian guide yelled again, waving for us to get going. For the next three hours we would make our descent from the peak, eight Michigan MBAs running and jumping down the soft, black rock like a bunch of giddy 10-year-olds, happy to leave those behind in a cloud of volcanic dust.

This was only one of the highlights of our Sicily M-Trek. Biking and hiking in the midst of gorgeous mountain ranges, early morning swims in the Mediterranean, and late afternoon strolls through the narrow streets of rustic Sicilian towns were some others. But the trip was not just about total emergence into Sicilian culture. During the trip we learned just as much about Michigan. As we lived and ate together for ten days, our second-year guides shared with us their first-year school experiences. They also led by example, showing us the Michigan culture by never leaving anyone behind and making sure that everyone was comfortable with whatever activity we were doing. The bonds we built during the trip lived on once we got back. As we arrived at Michigan for the MLP, it was good to meet new people but also to know that among the crowd we had friends with whom we had shared such an awesome experience.




Tara Rutan
Trip: A Week-A-Costa Rica
Home before Ross: New York, NY
One of the most amazing experiences of my first year happened before I ever stepped foot into a classroom. It was my M-Trek. Guided by our four fearless leaders, twelve curious first year MBAs set off on a trip of a lifetime to Costa Rica.

Our adventure began at the Turrialba Volcano where we had the opportunity to horseback ride through the sometimes misty, sometimes torrential tropical rain forest. We continued our trip with a five hour rafting trip down the Pacuare River through Class III and IV rapids (we almost lost one of our trekkers). After rafting, and with all trekkers in tow, we left the mountains and headed to the pacific coast for some fun in the sun. Our beach portion of the trip included a snorkeling/canoeing tour and a much needed “free day” by the pool. After enjoying the coast, our crew headed back inland to soar through the jungle on a zip line and rappelling tour. A simply amazing finale to a fantastic journey! However exhausting our days were, this group was all about having a good time and getting to know each other. Our nights were spent dancing at the clubs in San Jose, playing cards at the beach, and late night swimming at the hotel pools. I also can’t forget to mention the dinner awards ceremony where our two most creative trekkers handed out personalized, hand crafted necklaces and our sing-along extravaganza van rides from adventure to adventure.

Although it is hard to capture how amazing this trip was in a few short paragraphs, the highlight of the trip was making 15 new friends that I will share for a lifetime. We started the trip as a group of strangers connected only by our decision to attend to Michigan and ended the trip a team of friends bonded through shared memories - memories that none of us will ever forget.

Testimonials from 2003 M-Treks

Julie Bazinet
Trip: AbracadAFRICA!!!
Home before Ross: Ottawa, Canada
Sprawling fields, abundant wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, urban jungles – South Africa offers all of this and so much more! From the moment our group met in Johannesburg, the atmosphere was charged and we were set for an adventure. The first part of our trip included a week on safari, staying in charming cottages in Kruger National Park and Moholoholo game reserve. Words simply cannot express the beauty of these parks and the wonder of viewing the “big five” animals in their natural habitat. It was as if the pages of National Geographic had come to life! The second half of our trip was spent in beautiful Cape Town, where we toured the wine region, explored the Cape Peninsula and traveled along the Garden Route. Some of the highlights included riding ostriches, exploring caves, viewing penguins and seals, taking a rainforest canopy tour and visiting Robben Island, where Nelson Mandella spent many years in jail. As our trip was coming to an end, we admired the breathtaking view from atop Table Mountain, reflecting on the wonderful journey behind us and pondering the adventures awaiting us in Ann Arbor.

Although we had amazing travel experiences, the most remarkable part of our trip was the very close bond we formed with one another. Our trek leaders not only cultivated a social atmosphere during our trip, but also counseled us on what to expect from life at business school. As we continue our journey here in Ann Arbor, we are fortunate to have excellent mentors, a loyal support group and, most importantly, great friends at our side. All in all, only one word could describe this M-Trek - AbracadAMAZING!!!




Gaius Lim
Trip: Colorado Conundrum
Home before Ross: Manila, Philippines
The Colorado mountain range, set against an impossibly blue sky, held out the promise of the perfect M-Trek to nine incoming Michigan MBAs and their trek leaders. Scenic, winding roads led us from Denver to Crested Butte, which would be our base of operations. That promise started to materialize as soon as we arrived, where we found a great camp site framed by trees and the mountains beyond. In the following days, there was a mix of biking and hiking, the most challenging one being the ten hour hike up the White Rock mountain range towards Conundrum Hot Springs, where a therapeutic dip awaited. The trail started out along a heavily vegetated path, but as the altitude rose from 9,000 to 13,000 feet at the crossing at Triangle Pass, the path had turned rocky, with beautiful views all around. It was a tough hike for novices like me, but this was where I first experienced the Michigan brand of teamwork and leadership. Just as the Pass came into view and everyone was looking forward to reaching that symbolic summit, the path gave way, and there seemed like no other option but to turn back. But the trek leaders looked for an alternative route, made sure it was safe, and guided everyone through, providing extra assistance to those who needed it. Standing on top of the Pass, enjoying the spectacular view with the people who I consider my first teachers at MBS, is a moment that I will always remember.




Mark Pacyna
Trip: Raiders of the Lost Inca Trail
Home before Ross: Minneapolis, MN
Business school is the perfect place to meet an incredibly diverse group of people, build lifelong friendships, and test your limits. Our M-Trek to Peru served as a crash course in life at Michigan.

After landing in Lima, a group of thirteen strangers embarked on an adventure that can only be described as the Raiders of the Lost Inca Trail. Led by our fearless trek leaders, we immediately immersed ourselves in local Peruvian culture. After a full day spent touring the colonial and modern city of Lima, the group bonded over a spectacular home-cooked meal at our trek leader’s home. We then headed to the mountain town of Cusco, the center of the Incan Empire. From this base we visited the ancient Incan ruins of Sacsayhuaman, tamed the rapids of the Urubamba River, and sampled local delicacies including Cusquena, Alpaca and Guinea Pig. It was at this point that the adventure truly began. Four days of backpacking and camping along the Incan Trail, a 43 kilometer ancient pass to the legendary “lost city of Machu Picchu”, lay ahead. Starting at 8,800 feet above sea level and climbing as high as 13,800 feet (Dead Woman’s Pass), this mystical trail provides incredible views to those who have enough energy to lift their heads and enjoy.

Arriving at dawn to see Machu Picchu emerge from the morning mist was truly amazing. Better yet, were the lifelong friendships developed along the way that continue to shape and strengthen our experiences here at the Michigan Business School.




David Nelson
Trip: All Out Alberta
Home before Ross: Birmingham, AL
After spending the first day taking in the fabulous sights of the Canadian Rockies and learning about fellow trekkers over dinner, we jumped right into the “outdoor adventure” part of our trip. The M-Trek integrated mountain biking, whitewater rafting, hiking, horseback riding, canoeing and rock climbing into an eight-day trip. With all of the outdoor activites, we came to rely on each other early in the trip. I trusted someone I had met only two days earlier to belay me while rock climbing. Another person helped me locate the next handhold, and the whole group cheered for me as I struggled to reach the top of the climb.

After great days of enjoying outdoor activities, we would sit around the table or campfire, tell stories and jokes, and laugh at the day’s events. As we learned more about each other, we bonded as a group and counted on each other to help paddle a canoe, to belay another climber or to lead the group in moutain biking. Some of us swam in glacier fed streams and others earned memorable nicknames that will last long past business school. When we arrived back in Ann Arbor, I had already established friendships with first- and second-year students. M-Trek was an incredible way to begin my two years at the Michigan Business School.

Testimonials from 2002 M-Treks

Neerav Vipin Shah
Trip: "Voulez-vous Utah avec moi?"
Home before Ross: Boston, MA
With a trip name like that I knew was on the right M-Trek. I had just spent the last nine months traveling around the world spending time in diverse locations and cultures. Had I known all I needed to do was spend a week with my M-Trek group to experience diverse backgrounds and perspectives, I would have saved thousands of dollars. We spent a week in the beautiful areas in and around Moab, Utah. The twelve of us managed to fit in mountain biking, running, hiking, and river rafting into one action pack week of adventure, stories, and only a few scrapes and sore muscles. By the end of the journey, we were all able to reflect back to our first meeting at the airport and realize how close we had become in only a matter of days. It was incredible to be surrounded by such intelligent, thoughtful and diverse people. When I was deciding between business schools, one of my criteria was that the program encouraged a team-oriented culture. M-Trek played a huge role in making Michigan my top choice. I wanted to be part of a community that not only promotes the values of teamwork, but one that fosters this spirit in practice. My M-Trek reinforced my decision to attend UMBS even before I landed in Ann Arbor. So if you decide to attend Michigan next year, the question is not whether or not you should go on an M-Trek, but instead which M-Trek should you go on. No matter which one you chose, you will not be disappointed.

Karen Sharp
Trip: Pleasure Island
Home before Ross: Seattle, WA
After several years of living and working in Seattle, I knew that the transition to Ann Arbor would be a challenge. But nothing could have prepared me more for my two years at Michigan than M-Trek. The five days I spent in Puerto Rico were filled with adventure after adventure, including hiking in the El Yunque National Rainforest, swimming in a beautiful bioluminescent bay, sea kayaking through the mangroves and camping on a deserted beach. Without a doubt, though, the best part of the trip was the eleven other students that were by my side for nearly a week. What started off as a group of complete strangers on Day One was family by the week’s end. The friendships we made in Puerto Rico followed us back to Ann Arbor, and, in fact, we continue to meet regularly and laugh about all the silly stories and favorite memories from our adventure together. M-Trek was also a great opportunity for me to get to know some of the second year MBA’s. In addition to leading us through the slippery, muddy trails in the rainforest, our three leaders set the tone for a wonderful introduction to the UMBS culture and have proven to be an invaluable resource back on campus. If I could give one piece of advice to incoming students, it would be to do an M-Trek. I guarantee you will walk away with an adventure not easily forgotten and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Pablo J. Vives
Trip: U.P. U.P and Away!
Home before Ross: Buenos Aires, Argentina
After six days of traveling around Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, it took me only seconds to come up with a list of reasons why M-Trek was the right decision for me. First, it allowed me to get a jump-start on the Michigan MBA experience. As an international student, I was somewhat concerned about coming to a new country and community. But the U.P. U.P and Away! M-Trek was the perfect introduction to what life would be like in Michigan, and the type of people I would be surrounded with for the next two years. Almost immediately after meeting my fellow Trekkers on the morning of our first day of hiking, I felt a bond growing between us. That bond was enhanced dramatically throughout the week, due largely in part to of some of the fun “rules” we decided to abide by. For instance, we decided that for the first three days of the trip, we would not discuss previous work experience, where we came from or what our future plans included. At first, I didn’t know what else we would all talk about! But it didn’t take us long to start sharing silly stories from our past lives. Second, the outdoor adventure that I was exposed to on M-Trek was incredible. Between hiking in Hiawatha National Forest, mountain biking around Michigan’s Grand Island and kayaking across Lake Superior, I’d say I got the best of Michigan. The highlight of the trip was seeing a black bear from a less-than-ideal distance from our tents. I’m not surprised that a bunch of motivated first year Michigan MBA’s were able to scare it away! Last but certainly not least, my M-Trek has continued well beyond that one week in the Upper Pennisula. As soon as we all got back to Ann Arbor we made plans to spend time together. Hanging out together was not something forced or contrived, but it was truly a genuine desire for us all to stay connected in a way that other students were not able to replicate. In fact, some of us are already planning an M-Trek to my home country for next year. Perhaps I’ll see some of you there…

Sue Louise
Trip: South Africa Shangaans
Home before Ross: New York, NY
South Africa! It was a place I had long been eager to visit, but had never had the opportunity. One reason I chose the South African Shangaans M-Trek was because I thought it was a unique location, and one that I would be unlikely to go to on my own. Another reason why I chose this particular M-Trek was because of the unparalleled cultural experience I knew it would offer. So much of what we saw was places I had only read about in National Geographic or seen on the Discovery Channel. Words simply could not express the beauty my group felt when traveling through Kruger National Park, the world’s largest national park with 20,000 square kilometers, or the emotions we felt when visiting Soweto and Robben Island, the home of Nelson Mandela for twenty-five years. Standing near the top of picturesque Table Mountain in Cape Town with some of my first friends at UMBS was a moment I shall never forget. All throughout my first semester I’ve been able to reflect back on those eight incredible days in South Africa with gratitude. M-Trek not only taught me to get out of my comfort zone and experience new and different things that I would not have experienced in New York or Ann Arbor, but it was also a great way for me to begin my adventure at Michigan.