As most of our fellow Waterloo students packed their bags and headed home for a well-deserved break during reading week, the AFM 334 International Study Course class embarked on an exciting journey to the bustling city of New York! It was a memorable trip filled with sightseeing and tremendous learning opportunities that offered us a direct glimpse of the fast-paced world of business and finance that shapes the “Big Apple”.
The energy of New York made every moment feel electrifying, and since returning to Waterloo we’ve had time to reflect on this unique experience and appreciate everything we learned during the trip.
Sightseeing
Our weekends kicked off bright and early, with each day carefully planned to ensure that we maximized our time in the city that never sleeps. From wandering the streets of New York, to visiting Summit One for breathtaking views of the skyline, exploring art history at the MET, and enjoying the beauty and fall colours of Central Park and its iconic landmarks, we truly embraced the city! We even experienced the excitement of the New York Giants vs Cincinnati Bengals football game, where the atmosphere was vibrant among fans and made for an unforgettable experience which allowed for us to truly indulge ourselves in the culture!
Business Meetings
Throughout the week of meetings, we had the opportunity to visit a range of companies from startups to multinational corporations spanning various industries. We were fortunate enough to have 13 meetings across our four days in New York:
- Brookfield Asset Management
- Bridgespan Consulting Group
- Sullivan & Cromwell
- British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI)
- The United Nations Tour
- Goldman Sachs
- The New York Stock Exchange
- Point 72
- Star Mountain Capital
- Blackstone
- Mosaic
- Palistar
- Polar Asset Management
Meeting with a variety of companies allowed us to gain exposure to the American economy. We were struck by how many of these organizations are prioritizing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives in their day-to-day operations, and are actively implementing it using various reporting frameworks to showcase their commitment. This growing trend highlights the importance of ethical practices in current business environments.
We are thankful to our Professor, Steve Balaban, our Teaching Assistant, Kangan Mahajan, and Alumni Development Officer Victoria Hinde for all their guidance and helping us make the most of our experience!