Before coming to India I told myself I wanted to get the most out of this experience both professionally and personally. Thus far I think I'm learning a lot about myself and how I interact with other people, but for a while I was struggling with ways to maximize my professional development. An MBA is in my 5 year plan so I thought what better way to challenge myself, gain knowledge that can be used in social enterprise, and get a feel for an MBA experience than taking a class!
The Indian School of Business (ISB) is one of the top business schools in the world. Luckily for me it is in Hyderabad so I talked my way into a Marketing Communications Strategy course. I thought I may enjoy this because a part of me missed being a student and after my first class I did but it didn't take long for the time and expenses that come along with school before I was over it. The campus is about 30mins- 1 hour from my side of town which equals either 2 hours commute on buses or paying 300-400 rupees for an auto round trip. Now I'm not ballin over here but I am my mother’s child and we operate on convenience so auto it was. This of course meant that my budget became really tight really quickly which I have always felt was for the birds. *Financial independence is invaluable.*
ISB reminded me of my beloved Spelman from the first day. When you first reach the campus your are stopped at the gate, and security does not play just like public safety at Spelman. Explain yo self! Once you get past you have to walk about 1km up a road of palm trees and then like a Disney movie AHHHH...the school emerges as a castle. Or at least that's how I felt. ISB in my opinion is separate from Hyderabad. The campus is spotless and there are bathrooms with western toilets and...TISSUE!
What really tripped me out were the students! All I can say is " o you fancy huh" * swizz voice* The first thing I noticed were legs. Bare legs. Girls showing they’re bare legs! In case you don't understand why this is a big deal, Hyderabadi women are always covered; arms, necks sometimes, but especially legs, so to see an Indian girl in a skirt blew me away! They were just all too cute. I felt like a bum in my flip flops that fell apart as I walked on campus, my sweaty kurta, and muddy pants. #loosing
What I like most about my ISB experience was the happiness it brought me. No matter how my Monday or Wednesday began it always ended with me happy as I left the campus. I think the happiness came from my change of environment. Working at my school and being around my cohort is cool but I needed some time to shake things up, be around different people, and do something for me.
I still don't know if I did well in the class but it was definitely worth it! Now I'm just debating on doing it again.
p.s. don't forget to donate www.gofundme.com/martice
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