My PGP YL Journey at ISB: Learning, Rigour and Perspective

During my years at SRCC, while pursuing Chartered Accountancy, and later at Deloitte, I learnt to think analytically, work under pressure, and understand how businesses function at scale. Those experiences gave me depth. But I wanted to explore the bigger picture. Strategy, leadership, marketing and operations. I wanted to see how decisions across these areas come together to drive impact. That curiosity is what brought me to ISB.

ISB promised exactly what I was seeking. A fast paced and challenging environment where every class, assignment and interaction pushes you to think differently. I wanted to stretch beyond my comfort zone and learn not just how businesses operate, but why they make the choices they do.

The intensity of the first few days

The initial days have been intense. Five exams in three days. Back to back assignments. Impromptu presentations. Ten interviews in less than two days. Cases, models and campaigns stacked together. Each day felt like a sprint and each day taught me something new.

Classes sharpened my intuition and taught me to question assumptions and connect ideas across domains. Assignments became experiments. Opportunities to apply concepts, test ideas and learn from failures. Internship season added another layer of intensity. It taught me how to embrace uncertainty, manage rigour and make decisions even when outcomes are not guaranteed.

People, community and what stayed with me

ISB is not just about academics. It is about the people who make the journey meaningful. Peers who challenge and inspire you. Professors who push you to think critically. Mentors who share perspectives that broaden how you see the world. Finance Club sessions, committee work, campus festivals and late night discussions became spaces where learning extended far beyond the classroom.

If I had to sum up what these days taught me, it would be resilience, curiosity and perspective. I have learned to trust my intuition, embrace ambiguity and stretch beyond comfort zones. Growth is cumulative. Every case, assignment, conversation and challenge adds another layer to how I see myself and the world.

ISB has already expanded my understanding of business and leadership. The next days promise more learning, more experimentation and more opportunities to turn insight into action.

Synopsis:

Sara Bapna, in her first few days at ISB’s PGP YL (2025–27), reflects on the shift from structured finance roles to a high-intensity, multidisciplinary business environment. Through academics, internship rigour and community learning, she discovers resilience, curiosity and a broader perspective on leadership.