I was an enthusiastic management aspirant; I had the rankings of business schools and their cut-offs at my fingertips! I spoke to students from various business schools and interacted with people on MBA forums to take the biggest decision of my life — which B-school should I join?
One day, I heard about MISB Bocconi on Pagalguy (an education website) and decided that I had to know more. Since I was in Mumbai, I decided to visit the campus.
Expect the unexpected
When you hear of an Italian business school opening in India, you really don’t know what to expect. The only thing I can tell you is to not expect the expected.
The moment I entered the college, I was in awe of its unconventional décor; it was unlike any other business school I had seen. Candid photographs and portraits of Mumbai line the hallways; the entrance has a one-of-a-kind glass structure. And when you see the Powai Lake from classrooms, you’re sure to feel serene.
I browsed through the brochures, which boasted of a unique curriculum and faculty, and outstanding placements.
That piqued my interest and I wanted more insights. Luckily, I met Shyam, an alumnus, who happened to be on campus for a workshop! He was friendly, and answered my barrage of questions patiently.
Impressive faculty
The first question was about faculty from SDA Bocconi Milano, and his reply was astonishing: “Imagine walking into a 9.30 am class and finding Dr Robert Grant, the strategy guru, sipping coffee and making small talk with the students. The person who challenged the beliefs of Michael Porter cares to know what you feel about competitive advantage in organisations!” he started off…
“Students all over the world study his writings and here we are, listening to the legend, asking him doubts and presenting our viewpoints, which he intently listens to,” continued Shyam. “The case studies that are part of his curriculum are an intensive exercise for your brain, cranking it into unfamiliar activity. His humility and approachability create a thriving environment for learning, making his sessions one of the most anticipated ones.”
“On another day, you could find yourself sitting in Leonardo Etro’s class, learning the nuances of accounting and control. Prof Etro, who chairs a prestigious financial services company, teaches by drawing examples from his career. Ever ready for coffee, a chat or a party, he is the perfect mentor-teacher!
“Dr Himanshu Rai’s lectures on management, laced with learnings from the Mahabharata, are always a pleasure to attend. A former faculty at prestigious institutes such as XLRI and IIM Lucknow, he is a powerhouse of knowledge and amazes you in each session,” said Shyam.
I then asked him about guest lectures, as they are a window to learning more about industry and are an integral part of the curricula at business schools.
With a smile, Shyam said: “The guest lectures are as enthralling as the in-house talent. Think Kishore Biyani, CEO of Future Group, or Mr Shiva Kumar, the president of Edelweiss, who has extensive years of experience in strategic consulting. .”
Flying high in Milan
One of the major USPs of the college is the compulsory semester one has to spend abroad at Bocconi, in Milan. Shyam describes his experience thus: “The opportunity to study there and earn a Diploma in International Business is nothing short of a privilege. In this semester, you get a chance to choose your specialisation, which can be anything under the sun. You can also participate in the job fair there, if you have achieved a level of proficiency in Italian.”
He continued: “Studying with students from hundreds of countries, learning from a world-class faculty and going backpacking across Europe are some invaluable memories you will gather along the way. It is this time that gives you not only knowledge but also life-skills, which you will cherish throughout your life. It has undoubtedly been the best part of my MBA!”
I could barely contain my excitement at the prospect of studying at MISB Bocconi, and wanted to rush home to tell my parents.
Shyam then added: “Anyone who does business in India wants to be a Tata or Ambani; and being business students, so do we! MISB Bocconi made this dream come partly true. I received my degree from Ratan Tata himself. What can be a better finale to the two years of your MBA?”
Do I still need to tell you which college I joined?