London Dreams

this MBA experience is proving to be a lot more than i ever expected. and it was during my three-day trip to London that some more facets became apparent.

to quote the cliched advice, you need to experience it to know the difference. the life is different, and much more international. the London of my perception before this visit was much like my perception of this mba. hectic, competitive, cold and professional, and intimidating. but once i allowed myself to sink into the experience, many more aspects surfaced. first of all the sheer size of exposure. in mba you are exposed to a class of 225 students and their potential networks and the seniors and the professors. then the vast expanse of knowledge, and experiences. every class, every case, i go through a oh-is-that-how-it-is feeling. the rapidly evaporating yet seemingly long hours and the potential of work one starts squeezing into a single day, realising how much more one can really do. further, the alternatives for passing your time- facebooking, La Ramblas, the avenues for partying, salsa and beaches.

in london whatever i saw was enormous for my standards. two banking districts and their immense scale of operations; a 7-floor modern art gallery; the scale of city chugging along on the tube and buses, not like mumbai where your status is determined by the number of cars you own; the biggest grocery store i ever saw, the biggest designer brands on a crowded crazy street. n like you have subjects in MBA endless to explore and discuss, there are cuisines in London. i almost felt i was back in koregaon park trying out the different restaurants - italian, indian, moroccon, and not to forget my favourite apple tart dessert.

the lesson learnt is learn to adapt and to balance. the lack of sleep hours, the necessity of working on your cases as well as your CV, studies versus networking at the BOW, resting versus cooking, its all about balance. and just the same way, adapt and balance in london. gell into the crowd and yet maintain your own identity, clothes, food, culture, and finally balance your work against your personal life. to be honest i was never besotted with London, until now. london dreams are calling and it is this mba that will decide whether i fulfill them or not.