It took me the longest to write this post because I didn’t want INSEAD to end. The fact is I graduated mid last month and I should have written it then. But my INSEAD journey continued. A bunch of us came to school every day, had lunch together and talked about the meaning of life and other bullshit. I read all I ever wanted to read and more and it was awesome. However the fact remains , I am a INSEAD MBA now and soon it would be time to get back to what they call life.
Graduation lasted for about 2 weeks. It started with a trip to Mykonos where 300 of us ruled every club, every street and every restaurant there was to rule. Needless to say we partied everyday like it was the last day. I would have to admit, I don’t remember much of the city as most of the time we were buzzed or getting ready to be buzzed. Some said it didn’t make sense to spend so much money to go to Greece when you can do it at half the price. But it was not about the money, I stopped keeping track of my budget after the first one month and it was a free-fall. After all what is an other raindrop in the ocean or to better put it once you are negative you are negative. What was more important was to meet all the amigos and go crazy one last time and boy we did go crazy. It was amazing how we followed the same pattern every day and night for those 7 days. We started at the same time and finished at the same time always leaving the deep irrelevant conversations unfinished. What mattered was that everyone important to me was around me probably for one last time. As for seeing the real side of Mykonos I will take a cruise when I am old and bored.
After a week-long party, Prinku and I reached Paris. My drive to Fontainebleau reminded me of all the crazy times I had in this small little town when I was here for 2 months just a couple of months back. That was perhaps the first time it came to me. Dam it was all ending.
The best part of the graduation trip apart from graduating obviously was to go back to Tavers. What a feeling, being in that crazy big house once again with all my pals. I went to each room remembering each one of my crazy house mates, the dinners the parties. Tavers was for sure a highlight of my entire one year. It was Priceless.
On the lovey afternoon of 4th July we graduated, every one dressed as well as they could be or ever would be. Some flaunted their Armani’s, some their souls and some their countries. It was awesome how the diversity still set in. One by one each one of us walked on the stage to rightfully hold what we most deserved. And as everyone walked on the stage one after the other, a sort of flashback played in my head reminding me of something crazy that person had said or done.
And suddenly it was my turn and an unexplainable feeling swept through my whole body. I felt elated, excited, and nervous and humbled all at the same time. I was happy for what lay ahead yet I was scared to jump out of the bubble. In my heart I thanked my folks who made me capable enough to come this far and I thanked Prinku without whom I could have never enjoyed this one year at INSEAD the way I did.
What followed was more champaign, hugs, good-buys and promises to get back together. The plans for next reunions were already being made, as I sat in the corner breathing the INSEAD summer air for one last time. It was indeed the best year in my life. But the journey had just begun.
