At The End Of The First Trimester At MISB Bocconi One Feels…
This article is written by PGPB5 student Arko Biswas Alongside the long Diwali weekend, the first trimester at MISB Bocconi also came to an end last week. It was 4 months of new introductions and experiences as I began my journey. It has been quite a start, as someone from a conservative Mumbai College it has been quite a journey. The first thing that appealed to me about my class at MISB was the remarkable diversity that had been assembled for the 5th PGPB batch. I got the opportunity to meet colleagues from almost every state in India. This has played a significant role in broadening my worldview. I have never lived outside of Mumbai before and it was quite a thrill to meet people different states and backgrounds. This was also probably the first time when I hung out with a group where every individual was from a different state and had their unique sense of humor and eccentricities. This impact this exposure had on me cannot be understated. Academically, MISB has been a period of adaptation and great exposure. Having spent most of my life in the typically mechanical learning based Indian education system MISB has been a welcome change in pace. Meeting professors that genuinely care about the learning process their students go through and get involved in our lives by providing a personal touch. For instance, almost every professor has shared with us details of their families and personal lives, sometimes in the span of a few weeks we develop a bond deep enough for them to share stories about their children and insightful tales of their career experiences. In fact, at MISB we are even encouraged to invite our professors out for drinks on the weekends. This unique relationship that we develop with our professors is one of the reasons why MISB has been so academically enriching. These few months at MISB have also been instrumental in changing my opinion of myself, coming into the course I was young graduate full of self-belief and a know it all attitude. However spending time with my new colleagues and professors has been eye-opening. It has been a humbling experience as I have come to realize the caliber of competition that I will have to face as I step into the market after my MBA. Facing my first intensive day of interviews and group discussions, competing with classmates who pushed me to be the best has been one of the highlights of the last few months. Additionally, the best thing about studying and working at MISB has been the batch size. As a result of which we have become a close-knit group. I have learned about solidarity and facing challenges as a unit. Every time a colleague wins a competition or lands a good internship I believe we all feel proud together. We are quick to share opportunities with each other and help each other out. Even the administration and career development services are able to give personal attention to almost every student, which will make a huge difference in the long run. In summation, the first trimester at MISB has been a wholesome ride. Combining the hectic life of an MBA program with the growth experience of making new friends and forging bonds with our professors, its had been a start of changing opinions and broadening horizons. A solid bedrock has been laid for the program ahead as we as a class work to better ourselves and eventually step out into the world as proud Bocconians.
CLUBS OF MISB BOCCONI
This article is written by Livia Thomas of PGPB5 MISB Bocconi isn’t just about 9-4 classes and guest lectures. We have 6 extremely active and well performing clubs where students learn and practise the field of their choice through various theoretical and practical opportunities presented by the clubs themselves. Here’s what the current members of the six clubs have to say about each: Consulenza (Consultancy) We at Consulenza, Consulting club of MISB Bocconi meet every week and discuss the guesstimates, an industry, excel tips, statistics and frame works used by consultants. As a consultant needs to tackle every problem in a very structured way, so the guesstimates and framework discussion help us in preparation of consulting interviews. Our club members also meet every week apart from regular meeting to discuss a case and apply the learning from club activities.For smooth execution certain members are assigned a topic (say industry, frame work) every week and they are responsible to teach it to other members. Our main objective is to prepare members for interview at consulting firms. Marketing Club A typical session of the marketing club starts with a revision of the topics we covered in the previous session followed by discussing new marketing topics allocated for the day. We want our sessions to be as interactive as possible hence we encourage our members to take up topics we provide or come up with a trending marketing topic to discuss in class. PGPB5 has many marketing enthusiasts who want to pursue a career in the S&M domain. In class of 70 we have a total of 47 marketing members. We have a core committee which looks into knowledge sharing topics, PR & Alumni activities, events, online presence, and off course managing all 47 people. We have a very active Facebook page where we update members with every session activity that we do. Our knowledge sharing sessions also have group exercises where we divide the members into groups and give them a task. Our sessions include knowledge sharing sessions, quizzes, mock interviews, group activities, etc Luxury Club The Luxury Club serves to educate its members about the luxury industry- concepts, challenges, and opportunities. In every case, class, event, and activity, you will be asked not only to study about the industry, but to demonstrate and challenge yourselves. Spurred on by rising prosperity in the major cities and a power shift in the global luxury market, India’s appetite for luxury goods continues to go from strength to strength. The luxury club aims to discuss the influence of the global economic and financial environment on the various industries within the luxury market- automobile, apparel, electronics, wine, real estate, tourism, watches and accessories. GenOps (Operations) MISB GenOps is the General Management and Operations club of MISB, Bocconi. Conceptualized in 2015, it acts as a medium for improving members knowledge base in the field of Operations. The group puts continuous efforts to keep themselves updated with latest trends in Supply chain management and Operations by organizing knowledge sharing sessions, guest lectures and case study competitions. The group members gain industry exposure and practical knowledge by taking up various live projects with notable companies. We pride ourselves in having arranged an insightful panel discussion on ‘Omni Channel Operations this year, with some great industry experts as the panellists for the event. The group plans to keep conducting such events where members can absorb as much as possible and in the process, be the leaders for tomorrow. Finance Club The vision of this club is to make each and every member of our club competitive in the business environment by indulging more with corporate and to take the Finance of MISB Bocconi from Par to Premium. A few of the many activities held at club meetings include: 1. We cover topics in finance at competitive levels which include CFA Level learning 2. We make sure that each and every member does an analysis of at least two business sectors and and gives a presentation of the same as per schedule. This is followed by recommendation of the member to invest in equity stocks (of companies under his/her concerned sectors) on a virtual investing platform up to Rs. 1 Crore 3. We have an active blog on which we float information and analysis on a business scenario or anything related to finance Social Club The Social Club as a community aims at awakening the social responsibility in the future business leaders beyond the traditional academic endeavours of college. Our missions is to contribute and serve our community in any way possible. We started this club with a simple belief that students are the pillars of any economy with limitless potential to create wonders regardless of one’s background. As part of our activities we assist non-profit organisations while providing our students an opportunity to get hands on experience. We also focus on the overall development of our club members
Bocconian in Powai
This article is written by Livia Thomas of PGPB5 Its 4PM and you’re dying to just get out of class so you can do that epic Bollywood run in fields of daisies towards your best friend from the other class and into the outside world. Okay maybe not that dramatic, but here’s what your life post 4PM in Powai is going to look like through the week. Powai is kind of a hub of everything you need. It’s like a goodie bag of all your needs and wants. To meet your grocery needs, Powai offers you D Mart (most of their stuff is discounted) and Haiko. Try to not go there on Friday nights or weekend nights – if you have to go, I would suggest carrying a bottle of water and some tents because it’s gonna be a looong night at the cash counter. Powai has an array of restaurants ranging from a Maggi budget to a Sushi budget. When you’re broke, I would suggest eating from Santosh Café (All mallus, take note), Faasos, Relishus, Curry me Up and Gold Coin (Check Zomato for more restaurants in the like). There are a lot of dabba systems around here in case you want home cooked meals. When you feel rich and fabulous, go down the lane after D-Mart you’ll come across a lot of fancy nice places like Red Olives, Pizza Express, Chili’s etc. There are also places like Subway, Papa John’s etc on the same lane. Sugar lovers, not to fret, Powai has Theobroma’s, Naturals Ice Cream, Aromas and SO much more! Now let me introduce you to our second home after college GALLERIA. This is a mini hub where you have all sorts of stores ranging from electronics stores to chaatwaalas to other eateries to accessories shops . Okay you get the idea. You sort of have to pass by Galleria to get to a lot of spots in Powai. You party people, you! We have the famous Harry’s Pub, Rumours Lounge (they have karaoke! Can I hear an Amen?!), Rude Lounge (great music, lot of space, good crowd, good food) and a lot other places. Don’t worry, we have budget places in this category as well. Phew, guys, there is a lot more to explore in Powai. If I tell you everything, what’s the fun in going to a new place? So let me take leave here and let you guys do the exploration. Welcome to Powai, folks!
Limited Space? Not really
MISB Bocconi, is comfortably situated in one of the most aristocratic locations of Mumbai, Powai. Powai offers a wide range of opportunities not only for personal needs but also for professional. The institute’s campus is on the 9th floor of the Hiranandani Knowledge Park building which also houses other schools and institutes. While international faculty, personal attention, an international trimester, and offspring of a legendary university speak in favour, a common yet important question that every candidate has before joining this institute, is whether this limited space sufficient. And as a pursuing candidate, I wish to clear these thick clouds of doubt. As I enter the campus through automatic glass doors, a warm reception welcomes me daily. The admissions office is situated behind the reception and a set of washrooms is quietly hidden at the back of large television screens which display regular time tables and the legacy of MISB’s parent university, SDA Bocconi. A gallery divides the classrooms and the study area, at the end of which lies a small canteen. MISB also provides lockers to its students along with a table tennis and foosball table. A printing machine is at rescue during assignments. And large windows in the canteen provide a scenic skyline of Powai’s skyscrapers. Although, a single floor, it hasn’t made me feel incomplete; but on the contrary, I am learning a great deal from it. A classroom with tennis table is turned into a hall for a guest lecture in the next hour. A quick run on this floor can call everyone back to the class in an urgency. Students in the study area with comfortable seating arrangements come together to, do assignments, study, chit-chat, take stress, fight, clear doubts, talk about life, share problems and mingle with each other to ultimately make memories. Walking out of classrooms imply, I’ll meet not only seniors but also the management and other faculty members keeping everybody in close contact. In addition, two adjacent classrooms which can be joined to make a single hall, account for the seminar room or mini-auditorium of MISB Bocconi. Flexibility is high again as a stage for guest speakers and a sound system can all be arranged for successful completion of all events. These adjustable classrooms tell me the great power & need of adaptability, and the secret to store a great deal of strength in a relatively small area. And, the lesson of being efficient in lesser available resources. Then, there will be days which are longer than anticipated and a student must work extra hours, to finish that assignment which is due in the morning. Times like these, will require some unusual tactics which can only be explored when the situation arises. So, that’s all folks! In short, is the campus limited? Yes. Is it restrictive? No. This Article is written by PGPB5 student Paritosh Agarwal Similar Read – Read Aadil Naik’s answer to Is MISB Bocconi, Mumbai a good college? on Quora
A Mumbaikar at MISB Bocconi
The day begins with an unfriendly noise of the alarm at 06:30 a.m. followed by some mental debate if there’s more time to sleep or not. There isn’t, so the debate sees a clear winner always. Some yoga to keep the mind, body and soul together consumes another 15 min. And then the song from Taare Zameen Par buzzes through every RBC of your body, Jame Raho. Rushing against time, getting ready, and trying to convince your mother that you’ve had enough food, gives you the entry ticket to the outside world of reality,every day. Every day at MISB Bocconi begins with a heart-warming ‘good morning’ from the security and the management. You provide your attendance of the day at the entrance with bio-metrics, and head to a day which you hope is going to get over early. The approaching footsteps of the professor brings in all the students to the class. After regular greetings, the class begins. Voice of the professor, sketch pens on the white board, pens scribbling on paper, keyboard clicks (if needed), and soft murmurs (at times) is what classes are like. The learning is intense. There are moments, when you will feel this is going to be a herculean task, or what is going on, or why am I even here, or I’m not liking this, or hey! This I understood. And it’s all about converting every such moment to this feeling of enlightenment. The satisfaction it holds, is something one should only experience. A little break in between lectures, for snacks and lunch makes the corridors of MISB Bocconi lively. ‘aaj khaane mein kya hai?’casual talks,discussions about the last class, upcoming assignments/deadlines, and stories from friends are a regular. There’s this thing that keeps the environment comfortable. We, be students inside the classroom but outside these doors, a warmth holds and binds us together and aren’t we so glad about it? Yes, we are. The little time that leaves us breathing after lectures goes in either attending guest lectures or preparing for assignments or thinking about how much traffic will you face if you leave at the current time. Guest lectures are another important crux at MISB Bocconi. The guests that visit us are motivating, inspiring, stimulating and drivers of change. They are the leaders who share a part of their lives with youngsters like us. At times, it may seem irrelevant but their experience shall hit us some day and this is when we know we are growing. Post this, the day ends and we bid goodbyes until the next day (even if it is a Sunday, at times). For Mumbaikars, the traffic awaits us, but the feeling of sleeping on your bed, is comforting and recharging. To end, isn’t it always about the strength you possess? Growing, and learning and sharing that experience. This is what life at MISB Bocconi is. We, fight, struggle, receive from reality, make memories, learn, share and grow. It’s tough here, yes, but it will be worth it and this keeps us going. This Article is written by PGPB5 student Paritosh Agarwal
Life@MISB – Living In Powai, Mumbai
Po-way, all the way! So you are preparing yourself for the hustle and bustle of Mumbai, cluttered streets, small apartments, narrow roads and of course the traffic. And then suddenly Powai happens! Ask any of your Bombay buddies and they will tell you Powai is not Mumbai, and trust me they are right. It has outstanding architecture, it is spacious, it has a Greek feel to it and it has a lake! So you know it is not amchi-Mumbai, and you are going to be totally cool with that. Powai is known for its neo classical architecture, and we thank Mr. Hiranandani for this. The entire area is developed by and known as Hiranandani, and the only thing I can tell you about him is that he has excellent taste. From the basic utilities like markets, schools, hospitals to the most hip restaurants and five star hotels in town, Hiranandani has it all. You know how Italians have the best taste? Well, they found the perfect location for a business school right here! Our campus is in the Hiranandani Knowledge Park that is just a stone’s throw away from a place of prime importance for business students Starbucks. In case you are Mumbaikar and can’t keep away from Theobrama’s goodies, you are in luck too. On a more serious note, the college is just minutes away from the Powai lake, so the view from the classrooms make for a great deal. You would find the seniors hanging out in the nearby market Galleria, which is host to one of the best place to eat. It has commercial eateries, small bistros and fun lounges for you to unwind on a Saturday night. Personal recommendations would be Harry’s karaoke nights and games night at Hoppipola. Book lovers should know we have a library that has a range of books, and there are frequent book clubs going on nearby. If you are a fitness freak, you are in luck! The Powai lake has an outstanding jogging path around it. You can join yoga groups that practice near the Powai lake too. For a nice evening walk, you have to go to Hiranandani Gardens. It is one of the best parks around, and has a lot of activities going on there too. Gym enthusiasts wouldn’t be disappointed either, because you will have plethora of choices to choose from. For the hardcore entrepreneurs, you have struck gold. We are right in the middle of the Powai Valley. Its easier to find a start-up here than a Vada Pao! As you know Powai Valley is where all start-ups in Mumbai want to be. Not too far away is IIT Bombay, which is known to have an excellent start-up incubator. MISB Bocconi students often attend competitions, entrepreneurship events, conferences and festivals taking place there. So if you want to network, want a live project or even an internship at a start-up you are in the right place. If you have been to London near Christmas and seen the Oxford Street and sighed Why can’t we have this in India?, to you I say the wait is over. If you don’t know what I am taking about have a look This is Powai! Hiranandani organizes the Winter Light Fiesta from Christmas till the new year, and it is stunning. Its an odd thing to say, but sunsets in Powai are beautiful. So well, this is where you are heading to and spending the rest of your PGPB and let me tell you, you are going to have an unforgettable time. Yes way, Po-way! This article is written by PGPB4 student – Vibhuti Verma