It's Spring Break here at UCLA Anderson! Many classmates have disappeared from Westwood.
One collection of students that aren't going anywhere this Spring Break, however, are the students who were signed up for the annual trip to Japan.
UCLA Anderson historically attracts a significant number of Japanese students, who move here from Japan for two years, away from their families, friends, and a lengthy history. And every year, the Japan America Business Association here at school organize a 10-day trip to Japan over Spring Break. Last year, 90 of us, including Mrs. V and I, went and had a fantastic time.
This year, unfortunately, the trip was cancelled due to the tragic earthquake and subsequent fallout.
I can't imagine how scary it must be to see such devastation in your country when you are thousands of miles from home. I have no idea how I would react if I was still in England and a natural disaster of this magnitude affected Washington DC.
So with that in mind -- JABA has linked up with our LA MBA cousins from USC Marshall and Pepperdine Graziadio to jointly raise funds for the relief effort.
Please visit the effort's website at http://socalmbahelpjapan.wordpress.com/ and donate all that you can.
And join in our prayers for the people and nation of Japan to survive and rebuild after this tragedy.
-- Sreesha