The dawn of a new phase for the batch of 2017-19, at Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM) Bengaluru began with an educational cum entertaining experience at OBL (Out Bound Learning) which was organised from 6
th- 8
th June, 2017.
As the excited lot of over 200 students set off for Pegasus Institute, Bangalore Camp, the energy levels increased by leaps and bounds to make the road journey memorable for a lifetime. Enacting movie names throughout the journey seemed to take away a major chunk of their travel time, only to find themselves at the starting point of an adventurous trek that led straight up to the camp. The idea of
‘Unbound Learning’ had just unfolded!
The weather played all its fresh winds as the students were welcomed by the staff with the introduction to rules and norms of the beautiful campus and were treated to tea at the most appropriate time. The tents, extremely comfortable and spacious hideouts recorded the first night stay of the students at the institute.
The early morning bell struck at six, followed by a string of activities planned for the two-day program. It started with a game
‘Flip the carpet’, wherein the teams had to flip the carpet without any member stepping out of its borders. The
‘Acid Floor’ game witnessed team building at another level as the teams used only planks and barrels to cross over an acid smitten floor. The
‘Dynamic Delivery‘ task posed all kinds of unusual obstacles for the teams to overcome, using merely ropes and bamboos. The fun and challenge enhanced as the teams tried to reach the other end of the shore of a ‘sea’ that had a continuously eroding ‘island’. Blindfolded next, the teams had to identify odd shapes given to each one of them, answer intriguing questions and solve puzzles. What made each activity special was the fact that it gave a plethora of opportunities to the students to know each other by working together as a team and making friends for college, life and beyond. People who entered the college campus as strangers, were now holding hands and labouring as a team.
Other activities like the exercises, innovative introduction of fellow teammates and the fake volleyball which was meant to help memorise each other’s names transported each one of them to a different world of friends, fun and frolic. It was indeed the unforeseen part of their MBA journey.
The activities not only tested the endurance of the students, but also gave them valuable insights on introspection, the spirit of team building and inter-team collaboration. They ushered in them the importance of time management, open mindedness, effective communication, coordination, innovation and appreciation for others; perhaps the most inevitable traits of an MBA student.
The activities were timed with lively and thoughtful discussions with students analysing the pros and cons of their strategies and improvising their thought process. Every moment spent at the camp was worth contemplating. Garnished with an overload of delicacies, breakfast, lunch and dinner, every meal brought new offerings for the outstation students.
The story of unbound learning did not cease with the activity laden day, for the evenings were lit with music, dance and utter peace of mind. The bonfire lit the dining area with energy and radiance as the strings of the guitar were struck at and the crowd hummed the song with such grace and enthusiasm. The strolls around the campus with the never ending talks brought students even closer as they shared their thoughts on topics from all walks of life.
The two day program ended on a vibrant note with photo sessions and a trek back to the starting point, however from a different route than before which was shorter yet challenging. It was as though every moment was carved to create memories and every experience, an insight into the future.