The community at ISB is truly diverse and vibrant. Each year, people
from a wide range of age groups, from all walks of life, become ISB
students. The 1-year MBA program translates to a very hectic life on
campus, leaving little scope for students to gradually settle into the
unique ISB culture. Orientation Week acts as a bridge that assists new
students to smoothly transition and adapt to the ISB way!
The Dean’s address kicks off the Orientation Week which is entirely
organized and run by ISB alumni. To begin with, experienced alumni act
as advisors to newbies, answering all questions related to registration,
finance, legalities, signing up for a laptop, accommodations –
everything that a new student needs to know to kick start their tenure.
Although the week starts on a formal note, what follows is a pleasant
surprise! After advising them, the alumni discretely direct the new
students towards Khemka, ISB’s well-known auditorium. Here the students
face a group of alumni who playfully ‘grill’ them for information for
about 15 to 20 minutes. This unique ice breaker is followed by an end of
the day theme based party, which further helps nervous new students to
let their hair down and enjoy themselves.
The second day marks the beginning of a blitzkrieg of activities. A
treasure hunt is ISB’s novel way of giving newcomers a tour of the
sprawling campus. In another activity, alumni paint a long canvas with
depictions of their experiences at ISB as well as daily life – creating a
colourful testimonial of sorts for new joinees to get a glimpse of what
to expect. Incoming students also get to try their hand at the most
popular sport at ISB. It’s not cricket, it’s not football – its frisby, a
much loved part of the ISB culture!
Every new student would have heard about most of the 28 clubs at ISB.
However, presentations made by the ex-presidents and core members of
the clubs throughout the week give students an in-depth understanding
about what each club is about, who can become a member and how they will
benefit from being part of it. This is a great way to decide which club
or clubs would best compliment a student’s academic direction and
career aspirations.
What comes as a pleasant surprise to ISB students is the high quality
accommodation it provides. They get introduced to this facet of life at
ISB during the Orientation Week. ISB has hired a 4 star hotel to not
only maintain the dormitory, but also provide housekeeping services –
daily! This is not just an extra facility – it is ISB’s way of letting
their students know what to expect from life after ISB. The housekeeping
is also very considerate given that students have to invest time in
study groups, club activities, and academic assignments. Knowing, at the
very beginning, that they will not have to clean their rooms for a year
surely reduces a bit of stress for students!
Talent night is possibly the biggest event of orientation week, with
each of the eight sections at ISB giving musical performances, skits and
a medley of other performances based on a common theme. There is also a
day dedicated to outdoor camping, where alumni team up members from
each section and have a day of fun team building activities such as
trekking blindfolded. While Talent Night binds students within sections,
camping day promotes inter-section bonding.
Throughout the week, new students realise that life at ISB will not
be easy, but it sure will not be dull! Getting 4 to 5 hours of sleep a
day, the Orientation Week sets the pace for the rest of the year,
building stamina and rigour amongst newcomers. The week is not a mere
knowledge sharing event, it is a ‘passing on the baton’ ceremony of
sorts. Alumni welcome new students to the institution that has become a
part of their own identity. After all, once an ISBian, always an ISBian!
