Student Perspectives

Don’t take our word for it, come experience it yourself!

Fun, adventure, learning and course credit in one shot: 

Angela Chan,  a first year full-time MBA student says “My real intent for going to India was to see what all the hype was about, plus to meet the current finance minister (Palaniappan Chidambaram) in the flesh. So my main reason for attending the India Trip was really to satisfy my curiosity, but I discovered much more than that.  I was not only satisfied, but entertained, enlightened, and inspired.  

The best thing about this trip is that I went not only as a tourist but as a student. I was able to see both sides, as the individual tourist and the eager learner. During the first week, we spent our time in Delhi and visited many companies during the day. All organizations lived up to the high Indian standards of hospitality. The high profile speakers were kind enough to take time off their busy schedules to share their insights about the emerging economy. The companies eagerly and openly spoke about their business, answered all our questions and gave their perspective on India’s economy. When the weekend rolled around, we had a relaxing trip to Agra, where we visited the Taj Mahal. As enchanting as the love story between Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz, the building is even more majestic in person. It is truly one of the most beautiful manmade structures that exist today.

 We spent the second week in Bangalore. There was clearly a big difference between the Delhi and Bangalore. Delhi is a dry, desert-like environment and Bangalore is a cool, lush environment with vast amount greenery. Bangalore is an older city - vibrant with a metropolitan feel. Delhi is newer, and the sharp architectural glass buildings are seemingly sprouting up by the minute. In Bangalore, we visited companies and attended classes that were enlightening and fun. The professors were engaging and educational – well-versed in their course teaching.

India is a big country with a lot of history. Visiting three cities could never fully describe all that India has to offer. Still, I was able to gain first-hand experience of the working class, the elite, the country side, and the city life. All in all, the trip was well planed and extremely enjoyable. It is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I gained a lot more from the trip than I had anticipated.”

Angela Chan, MBA 2009

The quintessential educational experience: 

Eamon, a first year MBA student says “I recently went to India on the school-sponsored foreign travel program. Not only did we receive course credit, but we also met with high-level heads of state, CEOs of impressive companies, and successful Tepper alumni. All of these were enough reason alone to attend the school’s trip. However, none of these were my reason. I went to experience a new culture, see another world wonder, spend part of my spring break on the beach, and gain another t-shirt with a foreign beer logo on it (for 2 bucks or less).

Before Tepper, I spent 7 years in the Air Force and luckily got to experience many parts of the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. And after visiting so many countries, I’m always surprised that I continually experience culture shock with each new country. For me, India was a place where I experienced culture shock (again), got my dress shoes stolen in Delhi, ate something in Bombay that gave me the liquid *****, skipped a week of school for the beaches of Goa, landed my dream internship via phone interviews, and gained some lifelong friends along the way. Every day was a different adventure and a new story to tell my friends.

Of course the main body of the trip wasn’t about nightclubs in Goa, tourist visits to the Taj Mahal, Kingfisher beer, or the multi-colored “Holi” festival. The Carnegie Mellon/Tepper connections gave us unprecedented access and insight into the economical, political, and social issues facing India. While I don’t plan to start a business or work in India, I’m fairly confident that my future career will be affected by India (i.e. outsourcing, global expansion, manufacturing, reverse brain-drain, etc). Having gone on this trip, I’m more prepared to enter into the global business world…an experience well worth the price of my lost pair of dress shoes.

I highly recommend this trip to all Tepper students. It’s the quintessential educational experience, and the reason you came to B-school: broadening your mind while enjoying the journey. Plus, the Kingfisher t-shirt fits really well.”

Eamon Jordan, MBA 2009

The Idea of India:

Subu, a first year full-time MBA says, "Tepper students experienced firsthand- “The idea of India” during their visit to the country and witnessed firsthand, the ferocity with which this country is growing. We discussed the inaugural 'India Trip' this spring. We came in direct contact with the people shaping the destiny of macroeconomic policies of the Indian government, learnt about the goals and challenges facing the Finance Minister Dr. P.Chidambaram and former FM Mr. Yashwant Sinha. We also heard the story of the Indian railways, the largest public sector employer with 1.6 million people on its payroll rising from Bankruptcy to Billions from Mr. Sudhir Kumar – the brain behind the turnaround.

Meeting VC and PE firms, companies specializing in manufacturing, IT, financial services and marketing gave us a bird's eye understanding of where India is going and what it means to do business in India. All our experiences were discussed and put in perspective during our four day session with senior professors from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore.

We met the people, the heart and blood of any nation; we saw the Taj- one of the Seven Wonders of the World and some of us caught a weekend in the wonderful beaches in Goa and played Holi – Indian style! Next year, this trip will take place in the winter break."

Subu, MBA 2009