My ISB Journey of Purpose, People, and Possibility

It was a quiet Sunday morning in Toronto. I remember sitting on the floor of my apartment, half-packed boxes around me, snow falling gently outside, and this one thought echoing in my head: “What am I still doing here?”

I had spent nearly a decade in Canada—studied at McGill, built a solid career in financial services and consulting, and even found my rhythm in life. But over time, that rhythm started to feel like a loop. Everything looked fine on paper, but something inside me had shifted.

At work, I was leading transformation initiatives across global teams, applying design thinking to solve tough problems. Yet despite the professional growth, a voice inside me kept getting louder:

“There’s more you can do. There’s more you must do.”

And that “more,” I realised, wasn’t in another job title. It was back in India.

Not just because my family was there. But because I wanted to contribute to building something meaningful. I needed deeper roots, a stronger network, new skills, and most of all, a sense of belonging. I wanted to be in the right place, at the right time, with the right people.

That place, for me, was ISB.

Finding My People, My Place

When I came across ISB’s PGP PRO programme, it felt like the answer I hadn’t known I was searching for. An MBA designed for working professionals?

Weekend classes, continued career momentum, world-class faculty? It didn’t feel like a compromise. It felt like alignment.

Still, I was nervous. I’d been out of the academic setting for years.

Thoughts like, “Would I be able to keep up? Would I connect with a cohort that had already carved out their niches in such diverse fields?” kept running in my mind.

But then I started speaking to ISB alumni, and what struck me wasn’t just what they said, it was how they said it. With pride. With warmth. Like they were talking about a second home.

The decision, in the end, was swift. Once I got the offer, I didn’t hesitate. I gave notice at work. I sold my furniture. I hugged my friends and mentors goodbye. And with a heart full of questions and courage, I flew back to India.

Maggi Nights, Micro-Moments, and Meaningful Bonds

That first weekend on campus in Hyderabad was overwhelming in the best way possible. Imagine eight hours of intense learning after years away from textbooks, followed by hours of mingling, laughing, and soaking in the energy of a vibrant, driven cohort.

One night after class, a few of us wandered the campus in our formals, exhausted but wired. We stumbled into a PGP part, completely underdressed for the sequins and sneakers, and instead of feeling like outsiders, we were pulled in. It was spontaneous and electric.

Later, we found ourselves at the campus’s famous Maggi point. Under a canopy of stars, with steaming plates of cheese Maggi in hand, we talked about work, dreams, fears, life and more. That night became a ritual. Every campus visit ended at Maggi point. Somewhere along the way, we weren’t just classmates anymore; we were a tribe.

Even off campus, the connections haven’t dimmed. I recently hosted a cohort dinner at my home in Mumbai. We laughed, cooked together, and shared career advice. These are no longer fleeting academic friendships. They’re lifelong bonds being built one conversation, one class, one late-night Maggi at a time.

Shifting Gears, Changing Lenses

When I walked into my first class of ‘Decision Making Under Uncertainty’, I expected theory. What I got instead was clarity.

The programme hasn’t just sharpened my analytical toolkit. It’s shifted how I lead, how I think, how I show up. I now question assumptions more readily, approach problems more creatively, and listen more deeply. It’s made me more curious and intentional, both at work and in life.

Even amidst a full-time career, the programme has given me fresh momentum. I’ve learned to balance rigour with reflection, and hustle with humility. It’s not easy, but it’s exhilarating.

What Lies Ahead

My goal now is simple: To stay open, stay grounded, and keep absorbing everything this journey has to offer. I want to create an impact that blends strategy with empathy, whether in consulting or in a venture of my own.

To anyone wondering if they’re “too late” for a return to learning, know this: You’re not. There is no perfect time to bet on yourself. The world won’t pause, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.

Sometimes, the best decisions begin with a whisper. Mine started with a question on a snowy morning in Toronto. And now, every day at ISB, I get to answer it.

Synopsis:

Gayatri Bhardwaj, PGPMAX Class of 2026, returns to the classroom after years in corporate leadership, seeking fresh perspectives and transformative learning. From navigating global business insights to building lasting peer connections, her ISB journey is a blend of challenge and growth. She aims to leverage this experience to drive innovation, strategic impact, and sustainable transformation in her field.