The O- Week

The busy times have started to show their face, n that’s why I am late by a week in updating my blog. When I came to Cranfield, I decided that I will maintain my blog on a weekly basis- n now it seems it may be too difficult to achieve this target. Time literally here flies and you don’t realise how quickly a day ends.

Let’s start with my first day of MBA!
Pre MBA finished on 28th September and from 1st October our MBA began with the Orientation Week. Till then we were already used to a hectic schedule; so it did not surprise us much that the O-week had been planned with so many activities so that we don’t even get a second to relax. The main feature of this week was that no faculty from the institute was involved and there was a bunch of students of 2006-07 batch (they were called Orienters), who were taking care of us. These guys were outstanding. They had finished their MBA just a month back but it seemed as if they just did not want to leave Cranfield. Their love n commitment towards Cranfield gave the proof of Cranfield’s credentials.

We were divided into 3 streams- Green, Yellow n Red. First day was packed with registration formalities, campus tours and introduction to fellow MBAs. There were many new faces from UK, Europe n some batchmates from India, who could not attend Pre MBA. In the evening, we had a social get-together where our Orienters (read fresh alumni) played a band for us. Families were also invited, n some games n a quiz were also organised. During the day, we were also given Cranfield Laptops.

Day 2 started with highlights from last year, distribution of case packs (our learning stuff for Term-1) and we were introduced to our Learning teams. The concept of Learning teams is very unique and special at Cranfield. We have been organised into groups of 6, and whatever task is given to us- we are supposed to do it as a team. Whether its assignment, any report or discussion- everything has to be worked upon as a team. Cranfield lays a lot of emphasis on cooperation rather than competition and promotes group work, as the belief is (and I feel this is the truth) that you achieve much more as a team rather than as an individual. Day ended with ‘International Evening’ where everybody turned up in their local dresses. It was real fun- I had an opportunity to have a glimpse of ethnic wears of UK, Korea, Africa n many more countries.

Wednesday, we had Sports Afternoon and we spent half of the day playing various sports like volleyball, Rounders (baseball), basketball etc. We were also given a case study n there was a barbeque in the eveing. Also we were informed that there will be a ‘CABARET’ on Thursday evening where each stream has to put up a show lasting around 30 mins.

After sports, my learning team met n prepared the case study, and then we guys went to party-barbeque, n after that in late night we prepared for Thursday’s Cabaret. I prepared a short skit involving 9 people n titled- ‘Masters of Beer n Alcoholism at Beerfield University’. I’d this idea in my mind since long time back and I just converted that idea into a skit n it was real hit. People laughed to their full.

On Thursday, we had stream representative elections apart from normal studies and business games. I contested for ‘Stream Rep’ n ‘Sports Rep’ but could not make it for either. The silver lining was that we were asked to give a minute long speech, and when I came back after delivering my speech one of the contestants said that he will vote for me as I spoke very well. I was delighted that I was able to impress audience n who cares if u win or not… huhhh….!

In between, I also met ‘Career Advisory Services’ of Cranfield to discuss my post MBA plans. There are so many things to write about but I don’t want to stretch it too long. More shall come in my future blogs!

Last day of the week was graced with some more introductions and presentations and we were given our time tables. We also learnt about 3 day Learning cycle at Cranfield:

First day you learn yourself
Second day with your Team
And Third day the same issue is taught by Teacher.

Thus, you end up revising a particular topic thrice and moreover the teacher does not start from the basics, but directly takes you to the advanced levels of studies.

Isn’t it brilliant and innovative?