Born and raised in Mumbai, I attended Bangalore College to pursue a Bachelor’s diploma, which led to an enormous change in my life. Once I started my undergraduate research, I actively explored numerous scholarship alternatives by attending quite a few conferences and occasions to collect data.
As I researched and utilized for various alternatives, I realised my final objective was to review in Europe. Budapest, being on the coronary heart of Europe, appeared like an thrilling place to expertise and immerse myself in a brand new tradition and setting.
Since I’ve by no means travelled overseas, this represented a big alternative. I additionally utilized to different universities in Europe. Nevertheless, Corvinus College of Budapest supplied me a fully-funded scholarship aligned with my aspirations. It felt like the perfect likelihood to pursue high quality training with out monetary burden and profit from this chance.
What motivated me to pursue an MBA
I come from a neighborhood with deep roots within the material and clothes enterprise. My ancestors have been weavers and this heritage types the muse of our household’s story. My father has labored tirelessly as a tailor, my uncle devoted his life to designing materials, and my grandfather spent his profession in a clothes manufacturing unit. This robust connection to the material business has impressed me to at some point pursue work on this area, to honour and protect my household’s custom.
Rising up, I used to be consistently surrounded by this enterprise, observing the immense effort it took to earn a dwelling. I used to be all the time interested by how folks generate revenue and discover methods to extend it. This curiosity led me to discover numbers and knowledge and sparked an curiosity in watching Bloomberg. Over time, I grew to become more and more motivated to study extra about enterprise and the company world, and therefore determined to pursue an MBA.
In India, I used to be targeted and sometimes noticed issues from a single perspective. What actually helped me broaden my pondering was my MBA class, the place my classmates got here from internationally. They usually advised me, “It’s essential to take into account issues from a special angle, as you’re it from only one perspective.” Collaborating in teams with folks from numerous backgrounds made me suppose extra expansively and opened my thoughts to new methods of approaching issues. Now, I make a acutely aware effort to take a look at issues from totally different views and take a look at new approaches to make sure issues are working successfully.
Stepping out of my consolation zone — instantly in Budapest
Once I first arrived in Budapest, I used to be utterly by myself as I didn’t have any buddies. One of many preliminary challenges I confronted was the language barrier. I keep in mind touchdown at Budapest Airport and feeling misplaced, not sure of the place to go or what to do subsequent.
The college and its Pupil Assist Physique supplied a mentorship programme, however what proved invaluable was a government-supported web site run by the Tempus Basis. It offered detailed steerage on all the pieces I wanted — how you can journey to Hungary, what to do upon arrival, forex alternate charges, and way more. I had already began researching by way of this web site months earlier than, whereas making use of for my visa in India, step by step gathering all the knowledge I wanted over three to 4 months.
I additionally related with Indian alumni from Corvinus College on LinkedIn. They have been useful in answering my questions in regards to the visa course of and providing recommendation on sensible issues like what to do after touchdown. Private analysis and networking have been essential in serving to me put together for the transition.
I introduced a small quantity of forex from India however averted carrying a lot money because of the inconvenience. As an alternative, I relied on a world debit card for transactions.
After arriving on the airport, I opted for the most affordable and best technique to get into the town — a bus. From there, I walked to my dormitory, activated my web, and took a second to settle in. Quickly after, I began making buddies within the dormitory, which made an enormous distinction.
One second that stands out from my early days was after I first entered my dorm room. Once I got here to Hungary, there have been no followers within the room. And I requested a senior, “How do I keep cool in summer season?” he stated, “Open the window.” That easy comment made me chortle and have become a light-hearted reminiscence I nonetheless share with him after we meet each few months.
One other dorm mate seen I hadn’t eaten but and took me out, displaying me round and sharing a meal with me. He even purchased me some goodies. His kindness left an enduring impression, and I continued to depend on his assist all through my first 12 months. I stay grateful to him for making these early days a lot simpler and extra welcoming.
Distinction of studying expertise between India and Europe
The training expertise was vastly totally different between my Bachelor’s and MBA research, reflecting the contrasting focus and audience of the programmes. Bachelor’s college students are sometimes recent out of faculty and extra inclined in the direction of theoretical studying, whereas an MBA emphasises the sensible utility of data.
At Bangalore College, the curriculum leaned closely in the direction of theoretical ideas, with some sensible parts. My reference to professors in India was very shut, partly as a result of our class measurement was unusually small — simply 20 college students, which is uncommon in India. This allowed for simple entry to professors, who knew every of us effectively. The times have been lengthy, with lessons working from 8 am to 4 or 5 pm. It was a packed schedule, leaving little time for different actions.
Once I started my MBA in Hungary, the instructing type shifted to a extra sensible method. I additionally had a extra versatile schedule. Usually, lessons have been held on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, leaving the remainder of the week for impartial research, group tasks, or private pursuits. This flexibility additionally allowed me to undertake an internship, the place I might instantly apply ideas from class to real-world work conditions, making a significant bridge between principle and follow.
One other distinction was within the professors’ backgrounds. In India, most professors had intensive tutorial expertise, which formed their instructing type. In my MBA programme, the school got here from a extra numerous background, usually mixing tutorial experience with vital company expertise. This combine enriched the educational course of and offered a broader perspective on sensible enterprise challenges.
Distinction in work expertise between India and Europe
After graduating with a Bachelor’s Diploma from the College of Bangalore, I gained sensible expertise by way of internships at a startup, a producing agency, and a government-owned airline, after which started my profession as a Senior Analysis Analyst at Inkwood Analysis.
In India, office dynamics differ considerably throughout corporations and industries. My expertise in consulting was notably hectic, with an unpredictable schedule — some days requiring 10 to 12 hours of labor, whereas others have been restricted to eight or 9 hours.
A typical problem I noticed in India is that workers at junior ranges, like analysts or entry-level professionals, usually wrestle to have their concepts acknowledged. Regardless of being on the bottom and having useful insights into processes, their ideas are hardly ever applied. I usually had concepts about bettering processes within the consulting house, however they have been often dismissed.
In Budapest, the setting is kind of totally different. There’s a stronger emphasis on innovation, and managers usually worth workers who’re energetic, take the initiative, and overtly share their concepts. Nevertheless, the extent to which this is applicable relies on the corporate.
In my present organisation, which is a big and extremely structured firm, the method of implementing concepts takes time. Nevertheless, the numerous distinction is that concepts are heard and given consideration, even when speedy motion isn’t all the time doable. This distinction has been a refreshing change for me.
(This letter is a part of a collection by The Indian Specific the place we convey to you the experiences of scholars at totally different international universities. From scholarships and loans to meals and cultural experiences — college students inform us how life is totally different in these international locations and issues they’re studying apart from teachers)
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