Under The Sky - Outbound Learning At SCMHRD

MBA preparation is akin to a roller coaster ride with loads of ups and downs. After going through the arduous journey of CAT, SNAP, IIFT and various other entrance exams and battling it out in the GDPI stage to land up in one of the best premier B-schools of India with some best minds in the country is like a dream come true. However, with all this excitement comes a lot of apprehensions-new place, new people and a new life. SCMHRD laid out an induction program to assuage all these tensions.

The induction program of SCMHRD officially began on 7th June with the President of Symbiosis society Prof. S.B. Mujumdar, Director of SCMHRD Dr Pratima Sheorey and faculty of SCMHRD welcoming the 2017-19 MBA batch to their family. The program was inaugurated by Mr. Deepak Goel, Director @iMET. Their addresses motivated us to become leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow and to be the flag bearers of our college.

We met with the faculty of all specialisations in a formal ceremony on the next day where we were informed about the detailed academic course of first semester and amenities provided by the college.

We waited with bated breath for the weekend to come as we had the outbound learning program in Surya Sibhir, Pune. All the students enjoyed the morning chill on the two -hour long bus ride. We found ourselves amidst the serene beauty of the hills, the gushing waterfall within the premise and the loud squeaks of exotic birds as we sat on the lap of nature with cold breeze brushing our faces. It was hard not to fall in love with the place. OUTFIT organised our two -day event with various outbound exercises, trekking, team activities and ‘chill-out’ session.

 The journey started with the batch being divided into ‘colourful’ teams and were given different tasks for the day. Most of us didn’t know each other well and some of us considered it to be a bliss to see familiar faces, but the activities were such that we talked for miles during the trek and helped a strange hand on the downhill, believed in each other blindly (the sheep-shepherd game) and enjoyed the chaos within it. The trek, like an MBA, was an uphill journey with testing times, however, there was light at the end of the tunnel when we stood at the top of the hill and soaked ourselves in the beauty of nature. To top it all was the enthralling spirit of the night with hundreds of us clamouring and cheering for one another in the chill out session where we danced, sang and enjoyed to the fullest together.

The outbound activity was hosted by retired army men, mountaineers and physiotherapists to name a few and this was the prime reason for everything being planned well and executed with perfection, needless to say, these are the prime focus areas of any responsible corporate manager too. The second day gave us the opportunity to imbibe these qualities with rigorous group tasks, exhausting challenges and creative activities. The outbound learning was not just an ice breaker but a space to explore one’s potentials and test one’s inhibitions.

All the activities in the outbound programme were designed to improve leadership, communication skills, planning, delegation, teamwork and motivation. This will help us in strengthening our skills and letting our creatives juices flowing in days to come.

This is just the beginning of a phenomenal two- year ride for the 2017-19 batch of SCMHRD.