Lauren Hardisky tells us about her experience in India through an exchange program she undertook while she was attending MBA at MIP.
Near the end of International MBA course at MIP, I had the option to undertake an exchange program at another business school abroad. I thought it would be a great opportunity to add another international element to my graduate school education, and to learn more about international business from another point of view. I decided to travel with MIP to the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad, India in March of 2011.
Having been to India three times before, I thought I knew what I was getting myself into: chaos, colors, commerce, and curry. I got to experience all of these things, and so much more.
Many travellers have often compared India to Italy, saying that both countries have a distinct cultural element that makes them stand out in their regions. I agree with this idea. Both Italy and India have unique cuisines, family traditions, strong religious influences, and political similarities, making them irresistible to me. I love the passion of Italians, driving Vespa on cobblestone streets like racecar drivers just to reach their destination a few kilometers ahead. I also love the determination of Indian rickshaw drivers as they hurriedly weave in and out of the hodgepodge of people, livestock and vehicles that crowd the narrow streets filled with delicious smells. Both cultures share vision, passion, and determination.
Our program was intensive, with coursework focusing on the global economic climate and the period of industrialization India was undergoing. The professors at ISB were knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate. The classroom environment was just as exciting as being back at MIP in Milan. Since we were visiting from abroad, ISB helped balance our visit with tourist outings to see palaces, to eat some Hyderabadi biryani, and to fear for our lives in the city’s traffic patterns. We had the chance to truly experience all that India had to offer while being able to learn about it from natives. The exchange was one of the most memorable parts of my MBA program at MIP. I left India with an appreciation for the unique culture and how similar it actually was to the place I called home, Milano.
