Hi Mech2Cs,
My name is David. Full disclosure: I'm graduating Wednesday after four and half years taking the MBA program at UNB Fredericton. I also work at UNB.
There are some facts that are correct relative to the size of Fredericton and getting from the Airport to campus. The idea that rents in Fredericton are higher than Toronto is out to lunch. The points about lack of access to ethnic foods is bogus - there are a ton of great small shops catering to all kinds of needs, plus we have a wicked Farmer's market downtown every weekend with amazing selections of food.
Is Fredericton the same as Toronto or Vancouver? No, clearly. But that's not a bad thing.
The points made by the author about not accepting folks from other ethnic backgrounds and insinuating Fredericton has a discrimination problem are completely garbage.
And I am one of the local Canadian students that's talked about and I can tell you and others that over the past four years I've made lasting friendships with amazing people from China, India, Bangladesh, Trinidad and Tobago, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, France and more. We've had SuperBowl parties at my house for my MBA friends, celebrated holidays here (some experienced their first Canadian thanksgiving or Christmas at our home) and have taken trips together.
Now, are there sometimes Canadian idiots like the one referenced in one class in the post? Sure. Is it the majority of the experience at UNB? Hardly.
The point about the profs being racist is just a complete falsehood. In fact, take a look at our profs, we have amazing profs from all different backgrounds, ethnicities and races. Joe Abekah, one of my favourite profs, cares so much about every student - no matter your skin colour. He helped me get through accounting with a solid A- (even though accounting normally bores me to tears). Prof. Srinivasan helped me out in Finance and while it was my only B, it's the mark I'm most proud of because I worked so hard for it. (By the way, I ended the program with a 4.1 CGPA because of the help of the amazing friends from around the world and faculty like the ones I've mentioned). I'm graduating with the highest GPA of a part-time student. The student graduating with the highest GPA of a full-time student? An amazing, humble and incredibly nice man named Husni from Egypt.
You get the marks you earn in the MBA program. Skin colour doesn't matter - only your talent, skills and hard work. If the author of the post got mostly B's and B-'s, that's on him (or her).
The point about locals not working with international students is a lie. I've been dozens of different groups with all members and everyone has the opportunity to contribute equally. Some don't (regardless of where they're from).
What the author doesn't mention about the MBA at UNB Fredericton? Our amazing student investment fund (SIF) program that's seen our students win Finance competitions around North America against students from more well-known schools. Oh and the top students from that program don't have trouble working locally - or anywhere they want in Canada. Our our entrepreneurship development programs that have helped students found their own companies.
UNB isn't a big school. That's a good thing. It's big enough to give you amazing opportunities and small enough that you actually have a shot at getting them.
Anyway, if you want to connect on LinkedIn, my name is David Shipley.
