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ISB Is All that It Claims to Be ,,, and More
When I first joined ISB, my mind was filled with questions. Was my decision right or wrong? Would I be comfortable studying after seven years of work experience? How would I adjust to college after such a long time? How would I adjust to living without my family and with new friends? The list was never-ending. But what I found (to my relief) was that all the “ifs and buts” gradually diminished once I got on the ISB rollercoaster ride. Now, after completing four weeks of my journey at ISB, I can say with confidence: Yes, it’s true. ISB is what it claims to be.
ISB’s biggest strength is its diversity. Here you will find diverse people from various backgrounds. Everyone is special and unique, and that’s why he or she is here. One learns this in the very first week of being here – O-Week. The programmes in O-week are phased in such a manner that you begin to get at least a sense of the diversity here. The full extent of this realisation hits you with force when classes start. You quickly get to know more about your peers in your section, and most importantly, your study group. To my astonishment, I discovered that in my section, each person was unique. Even if two individuals have the same qualifications, their professional experience may be totally different. You will find this in your study group as well --- four or five people with very different backgrounds working closely together. This is important because the study group is where you all will be spending more than half of your time together.
Diversity stimulates the process of learning. I am not only learning from the world’s best faculty, but also from my peers through classroom discussions. The illustrations or case studies that are used to explain a concept are always linked to real-life situations, with the result that the mind grasps the concept very smoothly and won’t quickly forget it. I was surprised when the simple concept of diminishing marginal utility and rationality of individuals was proved in class by conducting an experiment on my classmates. There is only one focus – learning rather than rote memorising concepts or theories. Even if there is a concept one is already familiar with, it is presented in a completely new or different way that one would never have imagined. When I look back on my pre-ISB life, I can’t help asking myself whether I would have done my job differently if I had learned these things earlier. “Definitely,” comes the answer.
That said, one must be ready to do the hard work -- endless pre-reads, individual assignments and study group assignments. Classes are only four days a week for four hours every day. “Wow,” you think, “three-day weekends!” Don’t get too excited. This is not the case. I am pretty sure that at ISB, you will love your weekdays more than your weekends. You will spend many sleepless (or sleep deprived) nights, going to bed at 3 or 4 AM and getting up early for an 8:30 AM lecture. One has to be prepared for exams – mid-terms and final terms – every two weeks. You have to be on your toes all the time. This schedule is also unique to ISB. I am sure I will miss it after 11 months. I think ISB alumni will probably agree with me.
I know you may feel stressed out thinking about the hard work ISB expects from us, but don’t be. ISB provides ample opportunities to de-stress yourself, whether it is through dance, music, sports, competitions or some other recreational activity. The most important thing is the bonding with friends that one will gradually develop here. This school believes that “everyone is part of one ISB family.” This is absolutely true. It has been only four weeks since I’ve been here, and it already feels as though I have known this place and been part of the big ISB family for ages. Wherever you may be facing any sort of difficulty, be it in studies or in any other field, someone is there to help you. One of the great things at ISB is that there are many peer-to-peer learning sessions. I hold sessions in finance and accounts. These allow us to develop strong bonds with our peers and improve our confidence. This is an environment in which one will get to know one’s inherent strengths and get an opportunity to work on one’s weaknesses. You must be wondering: With such a hectic schedule, how will you manage your daily chores? To this, ISB says, “Focus on learning and leave everything else to us.” Thankfully, we do not have to worry about mundane, day-to-day tasks like housekeeping, laundry, cooking, etc.
I have 11 more months on my path towards an ISB degree, and I am sure that in those 11 months, I will learn many new things, since my journey has just begun. Time will fly at supersonic speed, but I know that this one year will be the best experience of my life.
As the ISB alumni chant so perfectly puts it: “ISB Rocks!”
By Akshay Gupta
Class of 2014.