I am Nishtha Wadhawan, an International Master in Business student (Class of 2026), currently at the tail-end of my international immersion semester at SDA Bocconi School of Management, Milan. My path to IMB began with a BBA LLB Honours from Amity Law School, Noida (Silver Medallist, Batch Rank 2) and an NMAT score of 233.
While the Mumbai terms went beyond expectations of the kind of practical knowledge I would receive during the program, the Milan term is going to be etched in my memory as a life-changing period. What I expected to be a straightforward academic term has turned into something much more significant—a complete reset of how I understand business and leadership.
When Theory Becomes Reality
My four core electives this semester have changed how I approach business problems:
- E-commerce Strategy: Platform economics, marketplace dynamics, and how digital brands scale internationally
- Network Leadership: Influencing without authority, managing distributed teams, navigating organizational complexity
- Digital Advertising: Data-driven campaigns, consumer psychology in digital spaces, ROI optimization
- Sustainability: Integrating environmental strategy into core business decisions, beyond CSR
Milan serves as a live case study for these concepts. The city’s design shows positioning strategy in action. Consumer behavior demonstrates digital advertising principles. Architecture proves sustainability is a business requirement, not an add-on.
This semester brings together students from over 100 countries – exposing me to perspectives I hadn’t considered. I collaborate with MBA candidates from diverse backgrounds and countries, such as Chile and Switzerland, turning international diversity into a practical advantage rather than a program feature.
The City That Teaches Without Speaking
Beyond academics, Milan provides balance. Morning cappuccinos at my neighborhood café ground me. Tram rides to campus offer daily reflection time. Evenings along the Navigli canals remind me that ambition needs stillness. Home-cooked meals prove that not everything valuable happens in classrooms.
Weekend trips across Europe—Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Budapest—have each raised important questions: What makes something endure? How do cultures shape commerce? What deserves preservation versus disruption?
What I'm Taking Home
The transformation runs deeper than I expected. I’m returning with more than course credits. I’m returning with:
- A nuanced understanding of global business systems
- Awareness of my capacity to perform under pressure
- An appreciation for balancing ambition with reflection
The official metrics will show completed coursework and exam results. The real gains are harder to measure: seeing systems instead of isolated subjects, finding clarity in complexity, and leading with both conviction and cultural awareness.
Milan didn’t just host my education—it changed how I think and make decisions. I’m leaving with a new perspective, more discipline, adaptability, and an expanded understanding of European culture.