My MBA Experience

The sunset is proof that sometimes endings can be beautiful too!

I'm just falling teary-eyed as I write this. Sometimes in life, we all end up in places we never want to be in but in the end, realize that they were worth so much more than all the things we've ever wanted. Farewells are always the hardest. They break you. Life starts changing and in no time we realize we have moved completely to a new place. Farewells do not always have to be goodbyes. In my two years at Bangalore, I've had the most wonderful experiences that I would cherish for a lifetime. Here's something that all of you can relate to!

The College Days!

I remember those chilly mornings when we used to wake up and get ready for the foundation fortnight. Everybody we met and saw were complete strangers. Gradually, we all moved to a place where we no longer needed any formalities. Our days and nights felt like magic. The classroom sessions, sitting at back benches and laughing about how we ended up here, the constant talking, hating the groups we were put in and the knowledge that we gained. It was all worth it. One of the few things I cherish the most is - how those strangers became my home away from home. We made the best of friends for a lifetime, ended up falling in love, and everything in between. One of my friends used to always tell me, "No matter where we go Ashi, I wish to see you in the Forbes list. The best in the Forbes list." In no matter of time, these words were just echoes of my heart.

Hostel = Love

Once in our lifetime, we all should experience the hostel life. I think that was one of the most fun part of the whole journey. I think the bond we share with our roommates is irreplaceable and one to cherish for a lifetime. My roommate is someone I'm always going to remember. She's been a sister, a mother, a friend, a counsellor and everything she could possibly be. I remember those late nights studying, asking for notes, walking around in the cafe, the mess food (it was terrible, btw) and the conversations we had about life and otherwise. It's beautiful and heart-breaking at the same time.

Internship Diary!

Let me keep this short. I had no idea what a mesmerizing journey it would be at Hyderabad. I didn't like the place in the beginning. I never wanted to unpack my bags. I kept thinking of all those times when I could just be home and be comforted there. I didn't have a hell of an idea about Financial Services, but here I am today, ready to make you a deal!

But I was wrong. Siemens was meant to be my happy place. It wasn't just an internship. I felt I was part of a family. Ranging from flexible work times to all the team lunches together, I didn't feel like a newbie there at all. I cannot express how thankful I am for this amazing experience. It isn't just a routine office, it's a wonderful place to be at. They don't teach you, they make you experience it, all by yourself. I have had the most amazing two months. I don't have to wake up to messages for client visits, I don't have to read credit reports for evaluation and I won't be having the Siemens Spirit every day to work. It really breaks my heart, every single day.

My mentor told me something, which I will always cherish. "People buy people". They never buy products.

When in London!

It all started when I joined Welingkar Bangalore. I’ve always wanted to do something that brings about a change in the world. For the same reason, I decided that the two years in Welingkar should not be just time passing by. From writing research papers to scoring excellent marks in my academics, I did everything. Then one day I realized that this was not something I was always looking out for. I wanted to do something for the world. I always had the dream to work and live abroad. I spoke to the college regarding international opportunities. Then one fine day, an Australian Study opportunity was offered to the first-year students. But due to some reason, the study tour was canceled because they didn’t have sufficient students.

 

I remember, in August, we received an email regarding summer school opportunities. My excitement knew no bounds. The first thing I did was to call up my parents and tell them, “I’m going.” I knew I was going to London. London School of Economics was finally going to be a tick in my bucket list.  It was a tough period for me. I used to have late nights and no sleep. From filling the summer school application, to running errands for the VISA application process, I had to do it all. At the same time, I was posted in Hyderabad for my internship at Siemens. A new city with new challenges. But I finally made it.

 

The time was here. It was July 2019 and LSE was awaiting me. The three-hour lecture series every morning about what marketing strategies managers of tomorrow can use to improve their offerings, the behavioural economic theories beautifully woven with marketing frameworks, the complex mathematical formulas hitting the strings with crafted marketing solutions & the neatly pitched voice of our professor. Wait. The HBS, INSEAD & Stanford Case Studies, from thought provoking marketing strategies to deeply rooted identifiable solutions to problems, the 15 page long read - ups, the Q&A's, the intense discussions. This pretty well sums up life in LSE. I feel so much more empowered & equipped than before. Never wanted this feeling to end. This is London, this is LSE. One of a kind, One of the Best.

 

The other day, I was conversing with a friend about how it's my dream to work and live abroad. While telling him about my dreams, I was mentioning how I've always wanted to become a distinguished writer and someday deliver a TED talk. His instant reply was, "These are small things, Ashi. You will see for yourself, in no time, you will feature in the Forbes magazine." I couldn't control my tears. I realized. If you wish for something so hard, you will eventually find yourself in it. The small steps can take you places.

 

It's pretty simple. Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country. In my experience, life has taken me to unimaginable lengths because I always had the courage to be where I am today. I’ve had my ups and downs and a fair share of experiences. But what I’ve learnt is that someday, it is going to make for a good TED talk. So why not live life the way we’ve always imagined? Like I always say, your dreams are never too big!

Bidding adieu!

It's simple. When you have no one around you, you end up becoming your own hero. And, in life, we are the hero of our own story. Make for yourself a memorable one!

Everyone I met had a part to play in my story. And while some were chapters, others were a paragraph, and most are no more than scribbled notes in the margins. I realized that it's important you face everything, the hardships, the failures and the successes, but emerge as a winner in the end. I've become fearless, bold and stronger than before. You create your own story, make it worth the talk. Live life like you've always imagined.

Soon enough, we will all be bones in the ground, the oceans will dry up, the sun will burn out and nobody will be around to remember we were here at all. So go, spend your time here with heart. Find what matters to you and manifest it while you can.

"Always keep searching for love & want for a better life. Have the will & courage to make your way through in any circumstance. Trust me, the universe will make a way for you, but you have to believe in that too. Everything eventually falls into place."

 

Submitted by –

Name: Ashi Bhargava

College: Welingkar Institute of Management, Bangalore (PGDM 2018-2020)