Voices from Abroad: Erminia Monzo
Ahmedabad (India), Double Degree, Indian Institute of Management
At the end of my Bachelor in Business Administration at Bocconi, a tough choice that many of us who don't have a clear idea about the kind of career we aspire to in our future was in front of me... Having to choose from among a number of programs for my Master of Science, I considered the international opportunities offered by each of them as an important criteria in my decision-making process; International Management was without a doubt the best option I had in order to gain the maximum amount of international exposure in the next two years of my academic life and the Double Degree in IIM-A has totally fulfilled my expectations.
 Erminia (on the left) and other students dressed for a Garba night during the Navratri festival |
Driven by a very strong desire to discover one more part of our immense and fantastic world, I was very much attracted by destinations outside the classic westernized world; I was in search of a different cultural experience and I wanted my second year to be a special one! So, among a bunch of cities and countries all over the world I did not hesitate to pick India as my first preference. And not only did I have the chance to spend an entire year in a very fascinating and diverse country, but I was also in the most prestigious business school in the Asian context. Ranked among the top ten Masters in Management by the Financial Times, the Post Graduate Program at IIMA gathers the intellectual élite of the country, students with a very competitive attitude, willing to make a difference and always in search of new challenges. A campus with an amazing architecture is there to host the entire student and faculty community and just an extension number separates you from your friends at whatever time of day and night! The possibility to take part either in the summer or the final placements - job fairs where top companies come on campus, handing out top offers for both summer internships and full-time jobs - is one more benefit offered by this program and it can be a great chance to build an international career.
 A group on a camel ride near Jaisalmer, Rajastan |
Unique, incredible and fully enriching are some of the adjectives I would use to describe the year I had here. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone who wants to add a truly international dimension both to their academic/professional and personal background. And if you think you will not be able to make it, don't let fear take over; pack your bags, bring a lot of enthusiasm with you, keep an open mind and you will discover that the diversity will only add fun and enjoyment to your experience. And in the end you will also find out that, despite the all the cultural differences, we are all citizens of the same world and we all have the same dreams, passions and love for life.