The ISB experience!!

Recently, I had a chance to visit Hyderabad. Though the schedule was mostly packed, but I knew I had to find time for the only class-visit I could afford. So I decided to scedule a class at ISB and extended my stay at Hyderabad by one more day.  

I had requested to arrange a class on Monday. Luckily, I got to meet one of the ISB students on Sunday and when he got to know that I’m a prospective student, he advised me to attend “Corporate Finance” by Prof Bhagwan Das Chowdhry, who was considered a God in coporate-finance.  Finally, with a number of mail-exchanges with the admission-office, I was alloted the slot of 2-4 PM.

So I got dressed in the best set of formals that I had in my luggage. As I was reaching the school, the sky started getting overcast.  And surprisingly the auto-wallah didn’t know the location.. I had expected the school to be a known big entity at least in the surrounding area.. But perhaps, not many visitors to ISB use an autorickshaw to get there. 😀

Finally, I was there.. I was really excited as I strolled through the serene road to the main-campus. The road was flanked by trees and at a distance, I could even spot a peacock!! I was really enjoying the leisurely walk, when suddenly my train of thought was disturbed by a sudden burst of rain.. And there I was running towards the main campus with all my might. At that moment, that felt like a scene straight from a bollywood  movie:: My manzil (destination) was in front of me and I was running hard in the downpour to get aboard. Only thing that would have completed that scene to perfection would be someone landing a helping hand from there and pull me inside.. ( No!! I’m not hoping that someone to be the girl of my dreams!! Even a senior elderly member from Adcom would have done. Just take me in!! :D)

Anyways, enough of digression!! Finally I was in the main campus. The rain had undone all my efforts to look good, but in any case, I had to proceed. After asking for directions, I was there for the class in time. I introduced myself to the prof and he happily allowed me in the class.  Now, I decided to take a vacant seat in the middle-row. But just for the formality, I asked the student seated next to the seat in question: “Is this seat taken?” The guy gave me a weird look and said “Of course, it is” and pointed to the name-tag at the desk. I explained that I was a just a prospective student. Got to know that the prospective students/ teaching-assistants and others have to sit separately in the corners of the room. Worse part was that since the corner-seats were also full, I was to get my own chair for the class from the nearby room. Thankfully, I spotted a service-boy and was spared the weirdness of getting my own chair to the class.

The class was terrific!! Though I have no background of finance at all, but the teaching style was so good that I could make sense of most of it. Of course, the fact that it was the first class for the term helped. And I must mention that I really liked the way the class participated actively in the discussion.  Relevant questions were asked just at the  time when I felt I’m losing it. (Seeing that I was missing mostly those things that current students are missing too gave a boost to my confidence.)  And yes, there cerainly were some Qs asked just for the sake of it:: targetted at marking one’s presnece in the class. This is something that many of your friends pursuing MBA anywhere (I’ve heard from students at IIMs, NUS and US schools) will tell you. I’d have been surprised if I found ISB as an exception. 😀
After an hour, the class broke for 5 minutes and I decided to use the opportunity to (try to) talk to some students.. I found most of the guys quite smug and reluctant to talk. At least three conversations ended something like: “Hi, I’m a propective student <some more stuff>”
“Ohh gr8!! So are you liking the class?”
“Sure I am… BTW, how is the ISB experience so far.”
“It’s great”|| “It’s hectic”|| “In one word,hectic <pause>; In two words, very hectic” (And the guy excuses himself from a boring discussion.)
Come on guys!! I had expected more from students of a premier institute like ISB. Your life surely could be hectic, but I still feel you have better words to describe it to a prospective, eager student. If I were in your place, I’d have perhaps offered the prospective student a quick walk around the campus.. Okay, I guess that’s a bit too much time off their “very hectic” schedule. But at least a 3 minute discussion would not have hurt.. RIght?? ( Or I’m expecting too much without seeing the B-school life from inside.)

The second half of the class was interesting too, but the effects of lack of  proper sleep last night were quite visible. And I had to struggle hard to make sure that I was not thrown out of my first MBA class. 🙂 After the class, I had to make a quick exit as it was still overcast and I didn’t want to get drenched again.

Overall, the visit was quite good and inspiring. I’d love to be be part of such a great class even if that means making my life “very hectic” 🙂

Tags: ISB