11
th July 2015 was a gloomy day. Whether it was because of the heavy downpour on the way to the railway station or the fact that I was going to leave home for the first time in 22 years, I still cannot comprehend. It has only been two weeks since then, and yet I do not remember the events of the day as vividly as I would like to. When I try to recollect, for it is important to try and recall goodbyes, what I do remember is water splashes on the road, the occasional whistle of a train approaching the platform and most importantly, a splurge of wide ranging emotions. But anyway, we’ve lingered long enough, and as important as this train journey from Kharagpur to Delhi was, it does not match up to the anticipation of an event that I know will turn out to be an epoch in my life - MBA.
As it turns out, the stage for the beginning of my fourth of the seven Shakespearian ages is a little hamlet in the state of West Bengal, known as VGSOM, IIT Kharagpur. The very first week of this roller-coaster of a ride has been scary (yet fascinating) and has forced me to adapt in ways I would never have imagined. I would not bore you with the usual stories about how I made the friends I have made or I how I’ve come to terms with the fact that the Aalo paranthas here are not going to match up to my Mother’s Aalo paranthas. Instead, I would rather tell you about the late night car ride to a nearby restaurant. Or how amazing it felt to get up on the stage and talk about one of my favourite leaders - all as part of an assignment. Reading and analysing case studies has become a self-satisfying experience and I now take one days' worth of sleep in three. Did I mention all the cycling, with which I already have a love-hate relationship? I could go all night with these little things, but the point i am trying to drive home is that for the first time in the last 22 years of going wrong, things finally feel right.
Yes it’s only been two weeks and things are already looking tough, sometimes even a little overwhelming. Broadening my horizons seems to be the obvious thing to do, but leaving my comfort zone tends to be an unnerving task. When I think about the next two years to come, the very thought of it entices and terrifies me, both at the same time. The times ahead are going to be hard but aren’t hard times what i signed up for? So bring it on MBA, I’ve been waiting to get it right for 22 years and now that I have, I'm coming for you and I'm coming with all I've got.
- Article by Tushant Juneja- VGSoM, IIT Kharagpur