Life in Bangalore for a Management Student

India Education

The city of Bangalore has been ranked as the best business destination in India, leaving behind the national capital, Delhi and the financial capital, Mumbai, according to a 2013 GIREM-DTZ survey. Bangalore scored well in this study mainly due to the excellent educational infrastructure it offers and the high quality talent pool available here. It is no surprise then that the “Silicon Valley” of India receives one of the highest footfall of business travellers in the country – most of them driven by the ever-growing IT & ITeS sector.

Management Education Hub

Consequently, the city has been witness to the mushrooming of many business schools/ management institutes offering a variety of courses such as Masters in Business Administration (MBA,) Post Graduate Diploma in Managament (PGDM.) Bangalore is home to some of the top ranked MBA colleges that are industrially acclaimed and have received rave reviews from ranking agencies & magazines. Leading the pack is the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) that was set up in 1973. Other well known names include Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (XIME,) AIMS School of Business, IFIM Business School, Prin. L.N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research (WeSchool,) PES Institute of Technology (PESIT) and Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM.)

(Also read: A review of B-schools in Bangalore)

Teeming with so many B-schools, Bangalore has become a Mecca for management students both at under graduate and post graduate level. Most MBA colleges in the city offer basic facilities such as Wi-Fi enabled campuses, libraries, health centres/ gymnasiums, cafeterias, snack bars, general supplies stores, laundry service, sports clubs etc. Add to that the manifold attractions this city holds for the youth, and it is not too difficult to understand why Bangalore is often voted as the best city for a management student!

“Life as a management student at IIM-B was hectic and challenging, along with being a wonderful learning experience. This was enhanced further by Bangalore’s awesome weather and the lush, green campus of IIM Bangalore – a late night walk was all one needed to be refreshed and recharged for the hectic day ahead,” reminisces Abhinav Sharma, who graduated in 2009 from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore.

Soniya Kamate from Kolhapur, Maharashtra who is pursuing MBA from AIMS college, Bangalore loves the pleasant climate, homely feel, diverse culture and the helpful citizens of the city. “The best part about studying here is the exposure I’m receiving through industrial visits, guest lectures & seminars and internship opportunities that my college and Bangalore has to offer,” she says.

Life & Style

Home to students and professionals from across India as well as other countries, Bengaluru has acquired a cosmopolitan flavour that imbibes varied cultures. The lifestyle of the city is easy going yet happening. There is no dearth for entertainment in the city. The food is good and most importantly for students, affordable! You can have your pick of art galleries, shopping malls, movie theatres, pubs, cafes & restaurants. Popular hangout zones for students in the city include Matteo, M.G. Road (for coffee lovers), Costa coffee near Jyoti Nivas College (awesome crowd), Willy Vanilly, 5th Block Koramangla, Truffles at Kormangala 5th block (heavenly burgers), Hole in the Wall Cafe (great breakfast), Glen’s Bakehouse at Indiranagar (for those with a sweet tooth.) Other pocket friendly options include Sandwich N Chai at 7th block, Koramangala and Indian Coffee House at Church Street.

(Also read: Cost of Living in Bangalore)

Abhinav, while studying at IIM Bangalore, spent his spare time bowling at Amoeba at Churchstreet, shopping for his campus library at the famous Blossom Book Store, catching a movie at the Forum mall Hosur Road in Koramangala or having lunch at 6 Ballygunge Place, Indiranagar.

Similar places to have a good time with friends and classmates include “IamGame” in Koramangala (laser tag) and Nishaan Sports Shooting Academy, Koramangala.

Quality of Living

As per the global survey by Mercer, Bangalore has been reviewed as the best Indian city to live in moving to the 139th position in 2014, up from 141 in the year 2011. If your MBA college does not provide hostel facilities, it may cost you anything beteek Rs. 4000 – 7000 to rent a room or share a flat in the city. The city is generally considered to be safe for women, at least more than the northern cities in India.
Irrespective of which state in India you belong to, Bangalore makes you feel welcome with its blend of people, culture and background.

“Studying here was more of an experience rather than just sitting in class and listening to lecturers. Taking part in inter-college fests and helping organize events were all learning experiences. And all this happening in one of the most vibrant cities in India where there is so much to do and so many great people with whom to do these activities! Where else can you leave college with close friends from other countries? This experience has left me a more well-rounded person,” sums up Achuthan Anil, an MBA student at AIMS Institutes.