Last week the Hubert H. Humphrey grantees arrived in New Orleans for a conference on Management Disaster. They were taught by professionals with hands-on experience on this matter, who had experienced the unfortunate hurricane Katrina.

Although I didn’t participate in it, at least I was honored to be their guide in the wonderful, decorated for Mardi Gras, always buoyant New Orleans. As I was taking them, for instance to the landmark “Deanie’s Seafood” or “Café Beignet”, I fell in love again with the city and its people. After a spring without snow, like I would experience in Romania, spring arrived out of the sudden to New Orleans, with temperatures in the high 70’s F. However, I didn’t realize how beautiful the city turned into after the rainy winter, until I started showing to my fellow colleagues what New Orleans is proud of. Yes, indeed, I already started feeling like a true citizen of New Orleans. But you cannot blame me, the city has its witty charm.

I truly believe what Tulane University’s President, Mr. Scott Cowen, told during one meeting with the Graduate Business Council. I believe that hurricane Katrina was a chance given to New Orleans to flourish again, to be reborn from its own ashes. No other city in the US has had this chance and New Orleans is prepared to take advantage of it, with its people dedicated to giving New Orleans a new chance, a prosperous beginning. The city has a vibrant energy and the attitude of “can-do” is everywhere.  And it’s not because of the Mardi Gras carnival taking place!

Take for instance Louisiana Children’s Museum (LCM) in New Orleans project for which we have to work as part of our Strategic Management Consulting class. LCM is fundraising for its brave, one-of-the-kind, forward-looking, Early Learning Village. This Early Learning Village (ELV), located in City Park, the main park in New Orleans, is especially designed to endeavor literacy and child development from ages of 2 to 8. Through its partnerships with Tulane University, Louisiana State University, University of New Orleans institutes for childcare, parenting, etc., the ELV is not only going to be a museum, but also a place where children will be able to learn about nature for real (the building is designed to incorporate gardens for kids to plant their own vegetables), about New Orleans’ peculiar marshes, and develop from an early age.

All in all, I thank the Humphreys for bringing the spring to New Orleans!