International Immersion: London Module – Cornerstone of Global Perspective - IPMX2018

How does a city contribute to your learning? This was my first thought when I read that IIM Lucknow will conduct its second term in London with external faculty. I imagined it to be one of those things that only looks good on paper. What difference will it make - London or India? I am proud to say that 2 months later - along with all other myths and unfounded perceptions - this one too found its way into my mental dustbin.

After completing an entire term in IIM Lucknow, I found a new definition for vigour. From being swamped with projects and assignments to being immersed in late-night studies for exams, our first term redefined hectic. Ironically, we all enjoyed the process. Sleeping for merely 2-3 hours, we bonded in ways that no team-building exercise could have achieved. So, what could London possibly offer? In the back of our minds, we thought it would be another vacation wherein we would visit places and try all the touristy things. Somewhere the GODs of IIM Lucknow were secretly smiling. 

The pleasant weather was a welcome change from the harsh sun of Noida; however, nothing compared to the warmth of the staff at ESCP, London. The weeks that ensued were a revelation. An interesting amalgamation of faculty from ESCP and IIM L, we had the best of both worlds. For every topic, we got a global perspective from Monday to Thursday, followed by deep drills in Indian context on Friday. Not only did it help us understand the relevance of the topic at hand, but also facilitated a global vision. 

We all had our favourite subjects; the two that stood out for me were Legal Management and Macroeconomics. It is interesting how the laws are similar, yet so beautifully different in both the lands. Legal Management walked us through the basics of Law to the intricacies of the Contract Law and Company Act. The final day make-shift court room replica created by IIM L Prof. Dr. Senger is still etched in my mind. Although the subject had all the ingredients to be a boring one, with immense potential to put you to sleep, Dr. Senger through his court-room replication method and his winning arguments kept us engrossed. Moments like these make you realize the true power of a teacher.

Words fail to do justice to the powerhouse sessions conducted by Prof. Evans (ESCP) and Prof. Chandan Sharma (IIM L) on Macroeconomics. Walking us through different facets of global issues, Prof. Evans gave us a riveting glimpse of World Economics, while Dr. Sharma in his true charismatic style elucidated the workings of the Indian economy. 

What really augmented the learning were the field trips, getting to witness the theory in action. From London Stock Exchange to Lloyd’s, we had special dates with history and iconic institutions, ensuring that our notepads were filled with anecdotes and eyes mesmerized by the sheer size of these famous institutes and their harmonious workflow.

How can a city contribute to one’s learning? Well, at the end of 8 weeks, we realized that not all lessons are learned via textbooks. Some of them are learned through real-life experiences. Away from our homeland, we not only developed a global perspective, but also garnered respect for diverse cultures. It helped us understand how different economies function, how cultures are synchronized (much like in India), and how these top-notch institutions operate in the global landscape. Each a vital lesson in the era of globalization.

And yes, we did manage to do all the touristy things, too!

- Pravin Pillai, IPMX 2018-19