‘¡Yo SÍ quiero vivir en Costa Rica!

Por: Alvaro A.  Salas-Castro

Presidente Cornell Public Affairs Society – New York

twitter @alvarosalas 

Tengo la bendición de ser un joven de 28 años y de que, gracias al apoyo de cientos de personas, soy uno de esos estudiantes que se prepara en una de las mejores universidades del mundo, y que, a pesar de nuestros problemas, quiere regresar en su debido momento para aportar un granito de arena al desarrollo del país.

Aunque entiendo perfectamente el sentimiento de Sofía (estudiante mencionada por la psicóloga Saray González Agüero en su artículo de opinión del pasado 5 de noviembre), respetuosamente no lo comparto.

Quiero expresar por qué yo sí quiero vivir en Costa Rica. Mis deseos de regresar a mi país no disminuyen, a pesar de que la violencia se ha incrementado y he sido víctima de ella, directa e indirectamente, tras ser encañonado para robar mi teléfono y, luego, cuando oí la noticia de que mi mejor amigo de infancia había sido asesinado por adictos que robaron su bicicleta.

Es cierto que a la juventud se la desacredita y subestima, y hay que pasar por largas horas de sacrificio para tener acceso a un trabajo decente. En mi primer trabajo en una corporación ganaba apenas para la gasolina y la comida (teniendo un bachillerato universitario, hablando inglés y cursando mi tercer año en la carrera de derecho).

Entiendo el sentimiento de esta muchacha en cuanto a los trámites burocráticos, el deterioro de nuestras instituciones, los altos costos de colegiatura que hay que pagar en el extranjero y, sobre todo, los salarios y su disparidad entre el sector público y privado. No tengo que extenderme en hablar de la colapsada infraestructura y de la percepción del electorado respecto a sus gobernantes.

Obstáculos motivadores. Sin embargo, esos obstáculos (frustraciones de algunos) son la motivación de muchos y deberían ser el motor de todos. Los problemas estructurales que menciona Sofía no son ajenos, por ejemplo, a Suramérica, Europa, Estados Unidos o Asia. ¡La gran diferencia está en la participación ciudadana activa que existe en varias de esas regiones y países, y que ha ido disminuyendo en Costa Rica!

La fuga de “cerebros” es tan solo una variable. El problema está en la crítica sin propuesta, en conformarse con quejarse en bares, consultorios o por redes sociales sin organizarse. Al final del día, esa disconformidad, en lugar de ser canalizada en acción, termina siendo solamente eso: queja. Creo que la angustia y frustración de Sofía está mal enfocada y es egoísta. Egoísta, porque el “hasta aquí” que aplaude la autora del artículo está pensado solamente dentro las propias ambiciones.

Actitud individualista. El problema radica en la actitud individualista que tienen las nuevas generaciones (incluyéndome). Aquí hay que hacer un alto en el camino y preguntarse qué les vamos a dejar a las futuras generaciones y cuál es el rol de la sociedad en lo colectivo. Mi comentario viene porque, aunque esté en mis “veintes”, tengo una hija que es mi motivo y mi motor, y a la que quiero enseñar los valores de las personas, no de las cosas. Quiero enseñarle cómo enfrentar la adversidad y trabajar ante la burocracia, la apatía endémica, la “serruchadera” de pisos, la chota, el “no puedo” y el “pura vida”, todo lo cual se antepone a la excelencia. Se trata de dejar de criticar, llorar y decir “hasta aquí” sin participar ni dar la pelea.

El problema de las nuevas generaciones es pensar que responsabilizar al Gobierno de todos nuestros problemas va a crear, por arte de magia, soluciones factibles y diálogos viables y sostenibles. Delegamos la responsabilidad de la colectividad en el Estado y nos quejamos sin propuestas. Se nos olvidó que nuestra democracia institucional, aun con sus defectos, sigue siendo una de las más respetadas del mundo. Esta democracia costó alma, vidas, sangre de jóvenes y de no tan jóvenes idealistas que participaron activamente para construir el país que tenemos hoy. La sociedad civil, el sector privado, las asociaciones, la Iglesia, la prensa…, todos trabajaron por una colectividad hace tan solo unas décadas.

El Programa de Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo (PNUD), en su Informe Nacional de Desarrollo Humano 2013, informa cómo solo un 14,4% de los costarricenses forma parte de asociaciones deportivas, un 13,9% está involucrado en asociaciones comunales, 5,7% interviene en sus gremios profesionales y apenas un 2,3% participa activamente en sus partidos políticos.

Pedir sin ofrecer. En mi criterio; Sofía y las nuevas generaciones piden sin ofrecer, demandan sin participar, y se les olvida que las decisiones se toman por los que participan activamente.

Yo sí quiero vivir en el país más feliz del mundo, más innovador de América Latina, un país donde todavía, sin importar el apellido o el origen, se puede llegar adonde sea con trabajo, audacia y perseverancia. Yo sí quiero ser un ciudadano completo. Un ciudadano que sí dice ‘’hasta aquí’’, pero para tomar el toro por los cuernos, no para salirme del redondel. Un ciudadano que no huye de los problemas, y utiliza su capacidad intelectual y pensamiento critico para enfrentarlos.

Yo sí quiero sumarme a las filas de cientos de jóvenes que vinieron a estas universidades y sacrificaron salarios y puestos, y acumularon deuda en otros países porque no están pensando en el “yo”, sino, más bien, en el “nosotros”.

La pregunta es: ¿somos parte del problema o de la solución?

Editado: Periodico La Nación

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Center For The Study Of Presidency And Congress Fellowship

I was recently elected as a Presidential Fellow to represent Cornell Universisty at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress (CSPC) with other 74 scholars from all around the world. The CSPC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit policy and education organization that applies strategic thinking and the leadership lessons of history to critical national challenges and opportunities. http://www.thepresidency.org/about-us/board-of-trustees

Founded in 1965, the Center is the only organization that systematically examines past successes and failures of the Presidency and relates its findings to present challenges and opportunities. Today, both the Executive and Legislative Branches are highly compartmentalized, which accordint to the Center, is the enemy of strategic thinking, action, and the best use of resources. In addition, the center claims that the nation is polarized, even though public opinion polls show a desire to break down barriers and face our nation’s real public policy issues. Lessons learned from past American experiences offer insights on how to deal with these challenges.

Looking forward to this amazing opportunity!

Índice Global de Innovación. Oportunidad para Costa Rica.

New York, Estados Unidos —En días pasados el Decano Sumitra Dutta y la profesora Lourdes Casanova presentaron el Índice Global de Innovación (IGI) de la Universidad de Cornell, INSEAD y la Organización Mundial de la propiedad intelectual (agencia especializada de las Naciones Unidas) en Geneva, Suiza en compañía del Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas Ban Ki-moon. Booz & Company, la confederación de la industria en India y Huawei que apoyaron la elaboración del mismo como “aliados para el conocimiento’’.

Secretario General Ban Ki-moon y Dean Sumitra Dutta, Cornell University Johnson School of Business en Geneva Suiza.

Secretario General Ban Ki-moon y Dean Sumitra Dutta, Cornell University Johnson School of Business en Geneva Suiza.

En el transcurso de los últimos seis años, el Índice Global de Innovación ha establecido su reputación como la referencia mundial en innovación para investigadores y tomadores de decisión tanto en el sector privado y el sector público.  Ha evolucionado como una herramienta para facilitar el diálogo en diferentes actores como la academia, el sector privado y público, así como también el gobierno.

El pasado lunes 8 de julio, el Decano Dutta presento el índice en el Cornell Club en la cuidad de Nueva York. Tuve el honor de ser parte de dicha presentación y representar al Cornell Institute for Public Affairs, en el cual presido el cuerpo estudiantil desde el año 2012.

Iniciamos el día con un desayuno para dar lugar a una discusión informal con los Embajadores ante Naciones Unidas entre los que se encontraban en mi mesa los de Costa Rica, Holanda, Ucrania y Benim. Cada mesa de discusión informal sobre las dinámicas locales de la innovación fue moderada por un experto. Entre los moderadores se encontraban Teresa Stanek, Sub Secretaria del Departamento de Comercio de los Estados Unidos. El señor Robert Kahn,  Presidente de la Junta Directiva  de Corporación Nacional de Iniciativas de Investigación (a quien se le otorgó la medalla presidencial de la libertad en la administración Bush por sus contribuciones a la humanidad)  y Barry Jaruzelski, Socio y Vicepresidente de la compañía consultora Booz.

Presentación Índice Global de Innovación

Presentación Índice Global de Innovación

Para mi sorpresa, el decano Dutta, quien es uno de mis ídolos académicos por su investigación e impacto global, me pidió moderar la discusión informal de mi mesa, en la cual estaban varios diplomáticos, académicos y empresarios, entre ellos el Embajador de Costa Rica ante Naciones Unidas Eduardo Ulibarri. El señor Francis Gurry, Director General de la Organización Mundial de la Propiedad Intelectual. Daniel Huttenlocher, Dean y Vice Provost, Cornell NYC Tech campus y los Embajadores de Holanda, Ucrania, Benim y consultores senior de Booz.

Entre los otros participantes de la actividad se encontraban David J. Skorton, Presidente, Universidad de Cornell e invitados especiales.

Moderar tal discusión informal fue de gran importancia para mí, dado que mi investigación y tesis en Naciones Unidas y en Cornell aborda el rol de las innovaciones disruptivas en políticas públicas tales como gobierno digital y participación ciudadana mediante tecnologías de información y la búsqueda de innovaciones que permitan una administración pública transparente, eficiente y efectiva. Estoy investigando sobre el rol de la infraestructura y las PPP.

Me puse nervioso al inicio; no era para menos, ya que las discusiones en otras mesas estaban lideradas por titanes de la industria, gobierno y la academia que me llevan más que años de experiencia. Sin embargo, como decimos en Costa Rica, cuesta mucho que me eche para atrás o que algo me ‘achicopale’. Recordé lo aprendido en el INCAE con el profesor Juan Carlos Barahona y la única clase que recibí con don Roberto Artavia sobre innovación, tecnología, clusters y el método de análisis de casos presente la discusión basadas en preguntas para fomentar el pensamiento crítico. Fuimos de lo general a lo específico: ¿Cuál es el rol de la innovación para el desarrollo de economías emergentes? ¿Que características permiten que los países tengan ventaja competitiva sobre otros? Cuáles políticas públicas o instituciones deben ser emuladas? ¿Qué iniciativas de gobierno digital y participacion ciudadana pueden generar confianza y transparencia en la administración publica?  ¿Cuál es el rol del capital humano en la innovación?  ¿Cuál debería ser rol de la academia en la articulación de actores? ¿Qué importancia tienen las alianzas público-privadas?

Dean Soumitra Dutta

Dean Soumitra Dutta

Aproveché para utilizar a Costa Rica como ejemplo. Mi pequeño-gran país se ubicó de #1 en el ranking de Latinoamérica por encima de países como Brasil, Chile, México etc.

Luego de la discusión informal, pasamos a la presentación de lo serio; el Índice Global de Innovación por parte del Decano Dutta para una sesión de preguntas y respuestas con los panelistas. Se abordaron temas ligados a la propiedad intelectual para proteger el valor económico del conocimiento y la importancia del desarrollo del capital humano. También el rol proactivo que deberían tener los gobiernos para crear confianza en el sector privado para la atracción de inversión extranjera y la importancia de las alianzas publico-privadas.

Global innovation index

Fue una excelente experiencia dado que hace solo unos días atrás invitamos a la Presidente Laura Chinchilla a nuestro campus en Ithaca. Esperemos que su agenda permita esta potencial visita. La idea es crear una alianza estratégica entre el Cornell Institute for Public Affairs que permita crear un fondo de becas para estudiantes destacados que deseen aportar al país en temas de ciencia, tecnología, innovación e infraestructura (este proceso ya fue implementando con el gobierno de Panamá  y liderado por el mismo Presidente Ricardo Martinelli).

 

 Firma del Convenio de Alianza entre Cornell-CIPA y Panamá. De izquierda a derecha: Thomas OToole Director Ejecutivo del Cornell Institute for Public Affairs. Presidente de la Republica de Panamá Ricardo Martinelli.  Mi persona; Alvaro Salas, estudiante de Administración de políticas publicas Universidad de Cornell.

Firma del Convenio de Alianza entre Cornell-CIPA y Panamá. De izquierda a derecha: Thomas OToole Director Ejecutivo del Cornell Institute for Public Affairs. Presidente de la Republica de Panamá Ricardo Martinelli. Alvaro Salas, estudiante de Administración de políticas publicas Universidad de Cornell. 

Esto permitirá un crecimiento sostenible en la creación de capital humano que aporte directamente al país y a sus clusters.Preparar a la juventud de la nueva era y seguir por esa senda que hoy nos tiene como número uno en innovación en América Latina; pero hay mucho que mejorar.¡ A Dios rogando y con el mazo dando!

HE 6010 Issues in Public Administration

My colleague Alexandra Hensens had a great idea of creating platforms where students can rank the courses and comment about the experience. I thought it was great idea since studying at Cornell requires a lot of sacrifices and financial investments.  The process to pick the right courses and the best teachers with lack information can be hectic.

For those of you that are starting in spring and are thinking or haven’t take  the Issues in Public Administration course this is my review on the class and I hope this will help you to make an informed decision.

At the beginning the T.A. made a public announcement in the class: “Don’t take this course, it requires a lot of writing, an intensive amount of hours and is very demanding particularly if you are not acquainted with the US academic writing style”. At the beginning the class was packed, people where standing in the door, the second class you started to see the desertions. All of that mentioned by the TA was true, I invested from 6 to 8 hours per week outside the class time just reading the papers, analyzing the material and breaking down the class take aways. I ended going one hour per week to a tutor and also using extensively the Knight Institute office hours. http://www.arts.cornell.edu/knight_institute/walkin/walkin.htm

On Thursdays (some of them) I worked till 2 or 3 am finishing memos that require an extensive and careful analysis of the problem at stake. Also you need to have the concepts of the readings to produce a substance argument base on theoretical frameworks. I had to drop one class to take another one on academic writing to improve my English writing skills. This course, with Non Profit Finance (from Joe Grasso) was the ones that changed some areas of my hair to gray. You definitely have to work really hard, however the learning experience, the readings, cases, the speakers, round tables and the lectures are top notch.

I ended the course with new friends that know I considered them part of my family, since we worked hand in hand for endless hours on a S.W.O.T analysis of an NGO and our results are going to be actually reviewed and implemented by the organization. Also now I have several theoretical frameworks for problem solving, cost and financial benefits, budgetary procedures and stakeholder analysis in the public administration arena. The course also foster my interest in the e-government and open data trends of public administration and opened the door to be the first CIPA student accepted in the e-government clinic at the law school.

The papers and memos were turned on time with a detailed and specific feedback that allowed me to improve my academic writing skills at another level. The class discussions where very substantial in both theory and practice, there is room also to learn from the perspectives and experiences of your class mates and the instructor (Tom O’Toole) pondered the issues and challenged us to go beyond in a brilliant critical thinking Socratic learning environment on government, public policy and management.

The papers used in the course are exquisite and the book of Bryson in Strategic Planning is a master piece that I strongly recommend to read it all of it and buy it!

If you are willing to work hard and take the hits of the first memos (this can be frustrating particularly if you are accustoming to have A grades). The knowledge and the straight forward detail and substantial approach of the professor and the speakers are worth all the hard work!

Semester Highlights: The role of government in a free society

One of my semester highlights here at the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs was the debate between former presidential candidates, Howard Dean and Rick Santorum, took the stage at Bailey Hall in Cornell University on October 18, 2012 to discuss the role of government in a free market society. This presidential election has been described not just as a debate between Republicans and Democrats, but also a discussion about the fundamental role the government plays in American society.  Howard Dean and Rick Santorum exemplified the political division in current topics regarding the nation and advocated for very different proposals for how the nation should be governed. Former Vermont governor, a physician, and a 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, Dean chaired the Democratic National Committee between 2005-09. Dean was among the first national candidates to use the Internet for campaign organizing and fundraising.  Santorum, a lawyer, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1990 and served as a Pennsylvania senator from 1995-2007. During the past presidential elections, he suspended his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination and later endorsed nominee Mitt Romney.

A schism in ideology was apparent as soon as discussion began on the politicians’ interpretation of the Constitution.  As the chosen politician to initiate with the opening statement, Santorum said that he believed in limited government. He stated that the United States Constitution is “a limiting document, not an empowering document.” Staying true to his religious convictions, he claimed that rights are bestowed from God rather than the government or a set of politicians. Conversely, Dean claimed that the government should provide rights to all American citizens, which include marrying whomever one loves. Dean emphasized that the Constitution is a “living document, meant to be changed.” He also posited that slavery was once part of the Constitution, but was later abolished. In addition, the fact that the founders included a way to amend the document shows that the founders meant for it to be a living document; one that is meant to change as the country and the democracy changes.

There were similarities when it came to the role of government in education, where both politicians agreed that there is a need for government to play a role. Dean argued that student loans and access to funds for higher education would become the country’s next big issue, and Santorum supported the old system of using banks as middlemen for such loans. They both spoke about the idea of the government investing in research to aid innovation. The politicians also deliberated about some of the political issues that are in the vanguard of Americans’ minds, including the role of government in higher education and the health care system.

Overall the debate was an intellectual discussion consisting of both substance and critical thinking. The rhetoric was based more on health care, education and fiscal policy rather than the role of government for instance in terms of federal and local intergovernmental relations and public administration. Nevertheless it got away from the topic of the role of government; it did hit many of the major issues discussed in the United States politics today and also in the rest of the world.

Central America: In the radar of the United States.

 

Picture: The Economist

 

The past three plus decades have been crucial for Central America. The 1980s were marked by long standing social inequalities and major political vulnerabilities that triggered civil wars in many parts of the isthmus. Central America became one of the frontlines of the conflict between the United States and the USSR. Later, external pressure and successive feats of political courage by Central American leaders, including lobbying from the business and academic sector brought a negotiated end to those conflicts and a transition process in which democratically elected governments replaced authoritarian regimes, some of them indescribably brutal. The result of these achievements was both optimism in the region’s development potential and a visible loss of interest on the part of external actors, particularly the United States. After being the Afghanistan of the 1980s, Central America essentially dropped off the U.S. radar screen for the past twenty years ( source: K. Casas, The Economist, CLADS and UN).

However, recently the region has made a comeback on the public policy scene but for all the wrong reasons. Today, Central America seems to be reverting back to its old ways. Three Central American countries—Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala—are facing serious political challenges that render the frailty of their democratic institutions all too apparent.

To many it would appear that Che Guevara’s dream of a socialist revolution is alive and well today in Latin America.  More than forty years after the death of the defeated rebel, a pink tide of socialism is washing up on the shores of Central and South America.  Yet, despite El Che’s predictions of rebellious insurrection, more than a handful of left leaning Latin leaders have been elected into power without even getting their hands dirty.  Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega, Honduran “Mel” Zelaya and more recently, El Salvador’s Mauricio Funes are all proof of Central America’s shift to the left.  In South America, Rafael Correa, Evo Morales and Cristina Kirchner have aligned themselves with leftist policies as well.  And last, but never least, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, the reddest element in this pink tide, is trumpeting these victories as the economic and political successes of “21st century socialism.”

 

The economic instability in the region provides fertile ground for this pink tide to swell even further, engulfing our fragile democracies, threatening burgeoning economies and underscoring the fact that the region’s collective fate is tied to a robust global economy.  If foreign economies continue to falter, multinationals will no longer be in a position to invest in Latin America, leaving it even more vulnerable than ever.  As currencies weaken, poverty and inequality abound and become feeding grounds for the rise of populist leaders whose empty promises provide no real solutions to the problems at hand.  As these demagogues gain power over the masses, the opportunity to attract foreign investment diminishes, causing the vicious cycle of our history to repeat itself.

Drug Routes

This is inextricably related to the persistence of old and unmet development democratic and governance challenges, as well as to the emergence of complex new ones.  Current political travails in some Central American countries are here to stay, unless we attack them strategically. As has happened before, Central America, too close to the United States to be ignored, may yet find a way onto the crowded radar of the White House, as suggested by President Obama’s visit to El Salvador in March of the 2011 In addition, the Central American security summit held in Guatemala City in June of the 2011 addressed the shared responsibility of drug-consuming countries, such as the United States, in solving the region’s security crisis. But unfortunately, the meeting yielded relatively little in the way of fresh funds to combat the issues.

Meeting between President Laura Chinchilla Costa Rica and Secretray of State Hillary Clinton

Moreover, educational dropout rates and inequality in schooling are gaining field among Central American countries. This prepares the field for a macroeconomic unsustainable arena that will affect the competitiveness, foreign direct investment, rule of law, and the enforcement of public policies. These realities impede development and continue to make the region prone to political crises and democratic reversals. These issues require a well defined strategy that starts with prevention by creating legal frameworks and public policy that keeps our children in school.

Without an efficient legal, political framework and adequate public policies to foster our economies and support the business and public sector dependence on foreign economies will be our end. What we need is prepared human capital ready to work on behalf of their countries.

The best and brightest tend to work in the private sector, leaving a dearth of qualified individuals in positions that can define our collective destiny.

The proposed Road Map

First, there have to be a newly designed incentives and the due process of law and transparency for the public officer applicants. Second, the teachers in public affairs, public administration and law schools have to be as prepared as possible and understand the needs of the country and the issues that we have at this particular point in time.  As well the core curricula of the schools must be designed in accordance with the issues in strategic partnership with the government institutions. Third, the human capital who wants to work on such challenged has to be supported to study abroad with scholarships that will provide them with the means to garner the best education.

The institutional capacity of the region is weak, and there is a need for committed and passionate professionals who are not driven by money, but by the welfare of our collective future. That is the main reason why I’m here at the MPA program to learn how to mitigate this issues that are affecting our Foreign Direct Investment, growth opportunities, sustainability as a region and above all our democracies .

Dancing with the red bear; how to succeed in a demanding graduate program with good grades while also having fun

Random guy crashing while in library

I have compiled some tips to help guide your success in the next phase of your life, the Cornell MPA program. I have proposed some of my own experiences in the demanding MBA program I just finished in Costa Rica and also my new MPA program. Some of these might seem obvious but only a few people actually apply them.

Hopefully, if you combine these suggestions with your own abilities and efforts, you will succeed in the next two years and be able to tango with Red Bear instead of having nightmares.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience

A graduate program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, particularly in an Ivy League school. You will probably never be in such a diverse and academic environment again.  There are a lot of students who complain about their workload and are obsessed with their grades, but that’s just wasted energy and time. Focus on your assignments and helped your classmates who have trouble with some areas. Also devote energy and critical thinking to your papers and projects for their valuable learning experience. You are your only competition.  Try to assess every day: What have I learned? What can I do to participate more fully in the next class? What are my weaknesses?

Build your network with your new best friends. In our new networked society, academic performance is important but is not going to get you a good job just because you are  a straight A student. Emotional intelligence, the ability to embrace other cultures, and your social capabilities and leadership skills are equally important to success. Nowadays you need to be a great student but also a good networker.

Avoid studying in your comfort zone

Your room is the worst place to study because of its coziness and distractions. Look for a war room or a place that makes you feel like you are in an office.  Plan your reading time strategically so you will be in places around campus that are on the way to your classes. In my case, depending on the day, I study in Olin, Mann, or the Statler lounge.

Evade procrastinating and use your time for reading wisely. My friend Juan Pablo Gomez and I developed a tool to provide graphic support for our weekly reading workload.  It might help you, too:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hk1gqc9cx1h95kf/Agosto%2027%20to%20Set%201.xlsx

Concept maps

As a teacher and a student I used concept maps.These are a great cognitive tool. Concept maps are visual representations of connections between major concepts and other ideas students have learned. These maps will help to develop:

 

  • The ability to draw reasonable inferences from observations
  • The ability to synthesize and integrate information and ideas
  • The ability to learn concepts and theories in the subject area

 

Use technological tools for your papers

www.wordle.net (Word clouds)
www.gantter.com ( Gantt diagrams)
www.diagram.ly & www.gliffy.com (diagrams)
www.zoho.com (Project management)
www.easel.ly (infographics)

Speed reading and directed skimming

It is very difficult to read everything you are assigned. You have to develop the ability to understand the key points, frameworks and the underlying assumptions behind them without reading every word. This is a skill that can be developed over time, but I recommend that you take a speed reading course before coming to the program if you are not used to it.

Collaborative work and case analysis

Also, work as a team! Divide the reading among a serious and committed group of students and create formats with a structure that covers the analysis. If the reading is a case analysis, make sure you cover the following:

  • Environmental analysis
  • Problems and decision makers
  • Objectives
  • Alternatives
  • Action plan

Allow yourself six to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep

If you can’t find time to sleep for six to eight hours, take a 30-min power-nap during the day to gain a boost of energy.

Spend quality time with your friends and Skype your family

Building stronger bonds with new friends will help decrease your level of stress and increase your level of empathy, love, support, and positive energy. Establish dinners once a week where everyone will prepare and eat a healthy meal while sharing a conversation.

Don’t forget that the essence of life is relationships; just because you have a lot to do, don’t forget about your friends and family back home. Use Skype or other online tools to stay in touch.

Music

For me this is essential. I always take 20 minutes per day just for listening to music. Try to listen to something that relaxes and inspires you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdYJf_ybyVo

Exercise

Exercise can decrease stress, increase flexibility and balance, improve blood pressure control, strengthen your body overall and increase your level of optimism toward life.A  good exercise program consists of cardio, stretching, and weight training. Keep a food journal to avoid poor eating. Protein will fuel your workouts and help you maintain lean muscle. A reliable accountability partner (in my case, my wife) can provide a foundation that will support you along your journey to creating permanent positive lifestyle changes for wellness and success.

Above all have fun, help other people, and learn. Good grades will come; they are not the end–they are part of the journey.

Pura Vida,

-A.

What it takes to be a CIPA?

 

At the beginning of 2002, Cornell University was already in my plans! Cornell is one of the top universities in the world, with one of the best international programs among American universities.  It is highly selective; thousands apply yearly and only a few are considered for admission. For those that are from outside the United States, Cornell is part of the Ivy League (the term Ivy League has connotations of academic excellence, selectivity in admissions and intellectual elitism). The members of this league are Cornell, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, U Penn, Brown and Dartmouth.  Well my friends, if you even have the chance to be admitted to one of these universities, that means that you are blessed, privileged and that you are one of the few ( actually less than 1% of the world’s population that has this kind of opportunity). You are probably a potential agent of change and a very skilled professional in an area or two. Having said that, be aware that a CIPA fellow has a lot of commitments, sacrifices, obligations and responsibilities (you should consider this if you have other offers of admission).

Let me start by debunking the misconceptions and myths about having an Ivy League school degree on your resume.

  • Is an Ivy League School on my resume going to make me a famous millionaire? Answer: NO.  In life nothing is certain (only death and taxes according to Benjamin Franklin). You have to compete in a globalized arena against equals or people that are better than you at something! You have to fight for your dreams or let them die.  Without doubt, Cornell and the CIPA program will put you on the top of a pile of resumes on an employer’s desk. It also gives you the advantage of a vast network of practitioners and alumni and the best imaginable opportunities for internships and professional development. But at the end of the day, you still need to compete.
  • Ithaca is GORGES. Yes, but it is also very cold!  In my perspective, Ithaca is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, but it’s only fall and I’m freezing (my advisor always make fun of me since actually he says that the weather is nice for this particular time of the year). I come from Costa Rica! A hot, warm, and chilled out country, and here I feel like I’m in the North Pole.

People support each other in everything, from the bus driver to the mayor of the city. The solidarity, respect and support are unique. The nature, the gorges, the live outdoor concerts, the hikes, vineyards , farmers market and picnics along Cayuga Lake are awesome, but keep in mind you have many gray days  and when you are taking some of the most demanding courses, if you don’t manage your time accordingly you will probably spend  a lot of hours in Mann library. Efficiency is key! It is not the amount of time but the quality of time you invest in your study hours.

  • The flexibility of the CIPA does not necessarily means that I can take easy courses and snowboard all the winter. Flexibility does not mean that it is easy.  If you are expecting this, CIPA is not the right choice. The program is demanding, challenging and time consuming. You constantly have to prepare cases, papers and assignments by yourself or in study groups.  Sometimes, the next day you have the President of one of the biggest Indian NGOs as a guest speaker in your class, and you want to make a good impression. Other days there is a round table where you will have the opportunity for a one-on- one session with one of the partners of a multimillion dollar consulting company; or you want to attend a lecture with the Executive Chairman of Google and then you have a team meeting or you are having dinner with an Ambassador, Minister, Managing Director of a major financial institution (if you apply for it to the Colloquium Chair). Some other times, you just want to challenge a main advisor of the Mitt Romney (Republican Presidential Candidate) with a thoughtful question about taxes and shared value theories thanks to the opportunity that the CIPA Colloquim Speakers Series brings to the fellows. Time management is essential! (We will discuss that in my next entry).

CIPA is not for everyone. It is for those that want to give 100% commitment and devotion to an arena such as Public Administration that is facing dark times and requires leadership more than ever.  It is for those potential agents of change that want to acquire the state of the art analytical skills, tools and best practices to solve policy problems   and move their countries, organizations, and communities towards their goals and a better future.  It is for those who are willing to sacrifice savings, money, leisure and family time to have the opportunity to sit in a class with the best and brightest students and top-notch faculty. If you are willing to take the challenge, this is the place to be.

Until next time,

~A