Traveling America: Harvard and MIT

Previously, I completed IET's events and eating lobsters in downtown Boston:

https://weesertan.blogspot.com/2019/04/traveling-america-boston-city.html

Harvard University is always somewhere at the top of any global university rank list. I for one though, never believed in university rankings. Old universities, with proud traditions, long history and well-known alumni are bound to be 'ranked' better than newer ones. I feel it's more of a publicity stunt. But I suppose some healthy competition is always welcomed. 

Still, it was quite fascinating to visit Harvard University, most probably the best in the world. 

Legendary Harvard Yard

Harvard University's campus is made up of independent buildings with various styles and design.

The Museum of Natural History

We've got a common friend, also from the IET who is currently studying MBA at Harvard Business School - LX. LX was really kind to reserve seats from the Professor, for us to sit-in. It was an amazing experience!

Back to school

 Everything at Harvard is posh, artistic and ooze class.

Spangley foodcourt - Felt like a 5-star hotel restaurant

We attended a class on Entrepreneurship Management. For 1.5 hours, everyone was discussing on a Case Study - Eastern Bank's evolution. It was on how CEO Bob Rivers' decision to turn a traditional community bank into a modern and savvy bank. The case study circled around the threat of technology disruption. This is a common challenge faced by mature companies. Because of technology-driven disruption, the lifespan of companies has decreased dramatically. 90% of companies in the S&P 500 were replaced in the past 50 years, and 50% of them which were not, will disappear in the next decade or decade and a half. 

How should a CEO, or company top management team address the challenge of technology disruption and innovation? How would you maintain (or even cut) cost, increase productivity, and most importantly keep the Board (and customers) happy? How about long term sustainability and growth? Are you willing to throw in some investment to 'test the waters' and gain some learnings? I think the divisive factor is the long-term and short-term goals of an organization. How many organizations are willing to forego short-term goals for longer-term ones? I guess ultimately, the priority is still to survive. Everyone's looking at instant success (and reward).

Traveling America: Boston

Courtesy of the IET, we were in Boston, MA. We had a meeting and attended IET PATW New England Network Finals at Northeastern University. It was a fantastic outing, having met members and students from the America. The difference in views and lifestyle was apparent. Hopefully, with a clearer view of IET Americas, we could devise a YP strategy and better support CC-Americas.

Northeastern University

If you are interested in science, engineering and technology, please like us on our Facebook page. We are constantly looking for volunteers, engineers and students to join our fold. 

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I have never been to America, and to be honest, America was never on my bucket list. It has always been somewhere faraway. Indeed, the flight was 24 hours, with a 1.5 hour transit in Doha. My first impression of Boston was, 'Wow, it feels like England, and the chilly weather feels the same too'.

Wasn't the best first impression - Why do people need guns?

I am aware that the East coast and West Coast, North and South are vastly different. US is such a huge country.

It was end of March, and the temperature was still hovering below 8 degrees Celsius.

View of the Charles Rive on Day-1 dawn (Snowed throughout the night)

Thankfully, the next day was beautiful (but I still needed my bulky Scottish winter jacket)

Boston is one of the earliest English settlements and oldest cities in the US. Wikipedia gives a good history lesson.

After our conference, we explored the city. It was a nice day, but the temperature was still below 5 degrees. One of the must-dos in Boston is the Freedom Trail. Apparently, Boston was where the American Revolution began. The olden days are always associated with wars and batters.

This well-designed 4km 'trail' is marked by red bricks or red lines. It includes all important sites, buildings and monuments. This is actually a brilliant idea, and helps tourists navigate (and don't require too much homework). Of course, you'll need strong legs to complete the trail.

The 'trail' map

Everest Base Camp - Insurance Selection for Malaysians

Malaysia is a beautiful country. We have mountains, rivers, reserved forest, islands, seas... It's a heaven for nature-loving people and adventurers... This encourage and nurtured generations of hikers, mountaineers and outdoor enthusiast.    

Everest Base Camp, though not the toughest, still represents the holy grail for many amateur hikers (at least for me). What could possibly beat the view of the highest point on earth - Mount Everest. In fact, I consider standing 3000m below the summit a lifelong achievement.  

Sunrise view of Everest (8848m - left) and Nuptse (7879m - right) peaks from Kala Patthar (5545m), 22 May 2018.

Insurance is key, especially when you'll heading to the Himalayas. EBC is at an altitude of 5400m, while the view point Kalapattar is at 5550m. At these altitude, anything can happen. Unfortunately, the choices of insurance (Malaysia) is limited. I took time to email all the below insurers to find out the best choice. 

In 2013, my friends and I attempted Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) via Phokara. We took AIG Travel Guard back then, as it gave unlimited altitude coverage. However, fast forward to 2018, the maximum coverage is at 4000m. In other words, anything happens beyond 4000m, you are on your own. An 18-day coverage cost around RM 135.00. 

ABC is at 4130m, and should still be fine. However, for EBC, you'll spend half your time trekking above 4000m. It wasn't very suitable. 

Zurich TravelPac costs almost the same, but would not cover hiking at all. 

Worldnomads is a Dutch insurer, who could cover everything you need for EBC hike. But it costs a whopping USD 112 for a Malaysian Resident. I felt it was a bit expensive. Prior experience to ABC showed that I was fine at the altitude of 4130m, I felt confident. 

AXA Affin, which I once bought for my 2-week backpack in Europe, would not cover any injuries or issues related to Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). However, they can provide emergency evacuation at any altitude, as long as it is not related to AMS. In other words, should you suffer some life threatening injury not related to AMS, at say 5500m, you should be covered by AXA. It cost RM 112 for 18 days, with maximum claim up to RM300,000. 

I went for AXA Affin, and bought the policy online. Very simple steps. 

I would later claim RM 2200 from AXA Affin due to travel delays. Payment was done online into my bank account. It is important to keep all receipts, flight itinerary, letters indicating delays for insurance claim. 

So far, AXA Affin (https://digital.axa.com.my/travel-insurance-malaysia/) has proved to be a reliable insurer for all my travel insurance needs.