Warsaw School of Economics - reunion

When thinking up address of the blog over seventeen years ago, I deliberately chose to name it and nickname myself "student SGH". Back at that time being half-way into university education at the most prestigious academy of economics in Poland at that time was a part of my identity. 

Despite the above, I did not want that chapter to last long. I pressed ahead to graduate possible quickly and swap university halls for corporate open spaces. I have never had nature of a scholar (though in early days of the blog I wrote much about economics and the likes) and 15 years into the corporate world I consider myself a practitioner, having little fondness nor sentiment for university education, especially since nearly two decades ago universities used to be a backwater.

Over 15 years since the end of my formal education (counting out the CFA programme) a few reunions were held, but until last Saturday, I did not attend any, including the celebration of 120 years of my high school (liceum) in October 2025. This time my SGH schoolmate, Ola, prompted me to sign up and take part in SGH graduates' reunion.

While turning up at the scene, I learnt 450 attendees had been registered, with a minor fraction of them not showing up. This meant on average 10 graduates from each year were present, accounting for far less than 1% of all alumni. The news of the reunion had not been widespread, the early-summer timing not most suitable and the cost, especially in terms of value for money could have been prohibitive.

The official opening lasted two hours, was relatively enjoyable, yet not memorable. It was followed by a lunch and unofficial networking time with attendees roaming around the campus or sitting in circles to chat with one another. Since a long time I had not talked to so many strangers over one day. Oddly enough, many casual conversations were more than small talks, but none of them has not been converted into any connection going beyond the reunion timeframe.

As of today I cannot assert if I would take part in such reunion again, but since the next is due in 10 years, I can be holding back on this decision.

Weather note: the most intense heatwave in history is haunting Poland and many other CEE countries this weekend. I am in course of compiling a heatwave summary for posterity, due to be published here next Sunday. Take care of yourselves and don't shrug off the peril!