Learning as pilgrimage

This past week, surrounded by symbols of old and new, by the Pyramids in Cairo, I was reminded of how important it is to let ourselves be transformed.

We gathered in Cairo to celebrate the Annual Graduation of 1200+ students of the CEMS class of 2022.

CEMS is an alliance of business schools around the world, offering a Master in International Management. But the CEMSie experience is quite the Hero’s Journey. Let me explain why.

A Hero’s Journey has two parts – one of discovery and insight, and one of change.

CEMS students are part of a learning journey that’s highly challenging and designed to take them far into the unknown?– they start in one of the 30+ international business schools around the world, but then take a semester abroad. They’re encouraged to go as far away from their comfort zone as they can, to immerse themselves in different cultures. Then they take internships, often in yet another country. They work on business projects, with team mates from other countries. Each of these experiences can be a highly discomforting one – but that’s precisely why their learning path is an incredible one.

You could say the Hero’s Journey is one of insight and personal transformation.

Much like our CEMS students, the hero goes on an adventure or personal quest, far from home. Most often, he receives the help of a mentor who supports him with magical tools. Allies join his team. The tasks he faces are more difficult, until he reaches an ultimate ordeal.

Like any of us, the hero will think “I’m not cut out for this”. “Maybe I should just give up”.

At the beginning, the hero’s quest is about finding a treasure.

But along the way, it becomes more about insight and self-discovery.

The hero understands some deep truths about himself and the meaning behind the path.

But the Hero’s Journey – and the true purpose of the pilgrimage – is not reaching the Treasure.

The true purpose of the pilgrimage is taking the Treasure - the insight- back home.

The hero becomes a true change maker when he takes the inner treasure leading it back into the world, planting the seed of change into the home land.

We stand here as Corporate Partners, Coca-Cola HBC being a proud sponsor of this year’s graduation, supporting those who will transform us.

And it is not a coincidence that I’m thankful to be in Egypt. The team here is the newest addition to our international landscape. Egypt is the newest country in Coca-Cola HBC, and we have worked on the transition for a year now.

But just as much as my colleagues in Egypt are learning about ways of working in other countries, I am learning from them.

We are not unilateral creators of change. We are allowing ourselves to be transformed and changed as we go through the process of learning together.?