About Bahta: Bahta was born in Seattle, WA, but was raised in Ethiopia. He attended college at Stetson University where he studied Finance. Not ready to sit behind a desk yet, Bahta also participated in Army ROTC, so after graduation he was commissioned as a Lieutenant and spent the last 8 years in the US Army stationed in Hawaii, North Carolina, and Georgia. Now ready to pivot into the corporate world, Bahta left the Army, put his stuff into storage, and traversed the globe while applying to business school. Bahta is now a first-year at UCLA Anderson and will be a strategy intern at Starbucks this upcoming summer.

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Growing up, my family could never afford to travel. However, during my undergraduate years, school presented me with life-changing experiences in Jordan and Thailand. These opportunities revealed the profound impact of gaining new perspectives through international exposure. Once I was commissioned in the Army, my aspirations for travel were put on hold due to the fast-paced nature of my job, but I made a promise to myself that I would explore the world once I transitioned out of the military.

In 2022, my military career came to an unexpected end due to an injury. This situation presented me with a dilemma: should I pursue an MBA program right away or embark on a global adventure? For months, I debated this as I was concerned about having a gap in my resume and feared I would fall behind professionally. Two pivotal conversations ultimately shaped my decision. The first was with a mentor who advised me, “Don’t let your professional goals overshadow your personal ones.” This resonated deeply with me and encouraged me to prioritize my desire to travel. The second conversation occurred during UCLA’s Embracing Diversity Weekend, where second-year student Jeffrey Sullivan spoke passionately about balancing his involvement on campus with his travel experiences. All I could think about was how I wanted to emulate his MBA experience. So, I approached him with my dilemma. He offered the simplest yet most profound solution: do both. “Travel now until classes start, then come to Anderson because your travels won’t end during the program”. A few weeks later, I boarded a plane and was off.

With no plan other than to start in Latin America and travel westward, I set off on what would become the greatest adventure of my life. I traveled across 6 continents, 16 countries, and grew tremendously both professionally and personally. Along the way, I submitted my applications from Cartagena, Colombia, conducted my Anderson interview in Melbourne, Australia, received my offer in Chaing Mai, Thailand, and accepted it in Mekelle, Ethiopia.

Along the way, I found that my travels not only enriched my personal experiences but also enhanced my candidacy for graduate school. Each country I visited improved my communication skills and helped me forge instant connections with people I encountered. After eight years in the Army, I found myself tightly wound and often on edge, however, traveling allowed me to relax and lean more into my personality.

Of course, some challenges arose during this adventure. I conducted an interview in the basement of a hostel in Chile during a heatwave and struggled to provide information for my background check while in the middle of the Serengeti. The constantly changing time zones also posed difficulties. Despite these bumps in the road, the overall experience was overwhelmingly positive. The number of current students willing to work through time zones and awful internet connections to speak with me or help me interview prep was truly heartwarming. The admissions office and current students’ support and flexibility quickly turned Anderson into my top choice. 

This trip not only fulfilled a personal dream but also significantly contributed to my professional development. Through this journey, I learned invaluable lessons about myself. I emerged as a better communicator and leader, equipped with a newfound perspective that has made me a more effective teammate. The diverse experiences and insights gained during my travels have undoubtedly enriched my MBA experience and future career endeavors. Ultimately, this journey has reaffirmed the importance of balancing personal aspirations with professional goals, a lesson that will stay with me as I continue on my career journey.

In addition, Jeffrey was right. In the 4 months I have been in school, I have traveled to three states and two countries, with trips to two more countries in the works. I quickly confirmed that Anderson students are as adventurous as I am and value these intercultural experiences as much as I do, and Anderson has students from 39 different countries, many of which love planning trips and hosting. If anything, my time at Anderson has only enriched my travels and exposure to the world.

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• Student Blogger: Bahta Mekonnen ’26
• Undergrad: Finance @ Stetson University ’16
• Pre-MBA: United States Army, Captain
• Leadership: Director of Marketing, Admissions Ambassador Corps: Director of Admission, First Generation Club: Director of Operations, Wine Club: Riordan MBA Fellow Mentor
• Memberships: Strategy and Operations Management Association, Entrepreneurship Association, Black Business Student Association, Anderson Veterans Association, Outdoor Adventure Club