5 Random Things From Our First Year

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When we applied to Fuqua, we wrote the famous “25 Random Things” essay, offering a snapshot of our quirks, experiences, and stories before business school. One year and many cases, coffee chats, late-night brainstorms, and early-morning flights later, we’ve added a few new chapters. So, in the spirit of the iconic essay and our unique ‘things’, we’re each sharing five random things about our first year, from the surprises to lessons that stuck.

Bhoomika Gupta wearing a cow costume stands in the center of a packed bar, surrounded by her classmates

Bhoomika Gupta​

  1. I came to Fuqua with a huge fear of public speaking. This year, I ran International Student Orientation for 180+ students. Standing in front of so many people was daunting, but it became one of the most rewarding parts of my year.
  2. As co-president of both INDUS, our South Asian Business Club, and the General Management Club, I’m one of the few people leading two major clubs. It’s given me the chance to work in two very different spaces and connect with classmates across many interests.
  3. Section 3 has a long-running “cow game,” a bar crawl where first-year and second-year students chip in for a tab, search for the cow, and end the night dancing. This year, I got to be the cow, and it’s a tradition I’m excited to pass on to the incoming class! (You can learn more about Fuqua’s class sections here!)
  4. I created a student-sourced independent study (through the Mentored Study program) with Duolingo, which included visiting their Pittsburgh office and working on projects in talent brand strategy. My favorite moment was organizing a Mad Libs video shoot with Luis von Ahn, their CEO and a proud Duke alum!
  5. I made a 2025 bingo board just for fun, with my favorite square being “attend 10 concerts in the RTP music scene.” I have checked that off, and I’m proud to say I’ve hit bingo.
Prudhvi Raju Vysyaraju stands at the front of a packed classroom at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business

Prudhvi Raju Vysyaraju​

  1. Team Fuqua is real! My class section elected me, an international student new to the U.S., as a section representative, a moment that showed just how open and welcoming the student body really is!
  2. Over spring break, about 50 of us traveled to Colombia with classmates from the country. It was an incredible way to experience the culture and economy firsthand, and the highlight was getting the chance to meet the former President of Colombia.
  3. Fuqua Fridays don’t just happen at Fuqua! While in Seattle for our summer internships, some friends and I kept the tradition alive every week. It became our way of staying connected, building community, and bringing a little piece of Fuqua wherever we were!
  4. Fuqua provides countless real-world opportunities to grow as a leader. This year, I’ll be co-leading INDUS, working as a New Venture Fellow with a Duke startup, and serving as a Fuqua Client Consulting Practicum (FCCP) Engagement Manager for a team of MMS/MQM students
  5. My favorite part of Fuqua is its multicultural atmosphere. We celebrate festivals from all around the world, from Diwali and Eid to Día de los Muertos, and it makes the community feel like a global family.
Chandana Mynampati sitting in a wheel chair with her hands out, displaying beautiful cherry trees and a body of water behind her

Chandana Mynampati​

  1. Health care has always been my “why,” and this year at Fuqua let me live it fully. I spent the summer at GuideHealth working on AI and value-based care, and during the year, I served as an HSM Fellow supporting students and shaping curriculum. It’s been one of the most rewarding parts of my MBA journey so far.
  2. I’m excited to be stepping in as co-president of the Gender Equity Working Group (GEWG), which has engaged over 800 Fuqua students in implicit bias training and built spaces for equity and allyship. I look forward to carrying that momentum forward with a dear friend.
  3. Being recognized by my classmates as the “Collective Diversity” paired principle honoree was one of those moments that just made me stop and smile. The paired principles are such a big part of Fuqua’s culture, and this one means a lot to me because it’s about bringing people together and celebrating differences.
  4. I started boxing classes with a Duke trainer this year, and it turned into one of my favorite things, reminding me how good it feels to try something new and stick with it.
  5. Wine Around the World is hands down one of my favorite Fuqua traditions, a themed apartment crawl on Ninth Street. I’m proud to say I had perfect attendance this year. (Yes, every single one!)
Abdul Ahad, a Daytime MBA student, in a classroom holding cash as part of a class activity at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business

Abdul Ahad​

  1. Becoming a dad during business school has been my proudest chapter. Juggling fatherhood and the MBA hasn’t been easy, but sharing the journey with my C-lead, who felt like extended family, has made it really special. I’m looking forward to my daughter, Minha, attending Fuqua Fridays this fall!
  2. One of the best parts of this year has been trying out traditions and snacks that were totally new to me. I went to my first Shabbat dinner, carved my first pumpkin with Section 4, and even got introduced to legendary American snacks like Funyuns and pizza rolls. I’d call it a real crash course in friends’ cultures and traditions.
  3. I’ve always loved sports, so when pickleball kept coming up at Fuqua, I figured I had to see what the hype was about. Turns out, it’s a blast! Though I’ll admit it’s not easy hopping on the bandwagon late and trying not to embarrass yourself in front of friends.
  4. A few Duke sports moments gave me chills, but none were as electric as being at Wallace Wade Stadium for the Duke vs. UNC rivalry game. I witnessed one of the greatest comeback thrillers as Duke erased a 20-to-0 deficit, ultimately defeating the Tar Heels to win 21-20 and reclaim the Victory Bell for the first time since 2018. Being in that Duke Blue Devil crowd reminded me why watching sports live is one of my favorite things, and that nothing matches that energy.
  5. One of my favorite classes in my first year was Leadership, Ethics, and Organizations with Professor Gráinne Fitzsimons. It pushed me to think differently about leadership and how people work together. On top of that, I somehow walked out $100 richer after a risk appetite experiment ended with my name drawn and a coin toss landing on heads. Best class investment yet!

The post 5 Random Things From Our First Year appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.

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