By Harshit Kumar, MAM25
Stepping into London felt surreal. In that whirlwind first week, every small detail felt significant — the bustling streets, the unmistakable charm of red double-decker buses, even the daily walk past Abbey Road Studios. Each morning, strolling past that iconic crossing, I felt a quiet thrill, knowing I was finally living in a city I had imagined for years. Meeting countless people whose backgrounds and perspectives were worlds apart from mine added to the excitement. Yet beneath our differences, I quickly discovered a common thread—everyone had arrived at LBS driven by the same curiosity: to learn, to grow, and to understand worlds different from our own.
As classes began, I joined study groups richer in cultural diversity than any environment I’d previously known. The excitement of engaging with new ideas was energizing, but I couldn’t fully silence a quiet doubt: Would I genuinely find my place here?
The gentle ease of orientation soon gave way to an intense rhythm of coursework, career events, and constant interviews. Initially, I felt overwhelmed by the pace, uncertain whether I could keep up. However, instead of the fierce competition I’d expected, I found genuine warmth and support. My classmates openly shared resources helped each other prepare for interviews and celebrated each other’s successes sincerely. The fast-paced environment didn’t isolate us — it drew us closer, fostering unexpected camaraderie.
Away Day became a pivotal moment. Blindfolded and nervously relying on teammates’ voices to guide me up a climbing wall, I understood something powerful: trust isn’t built simply through classroom discussions but by genuinely relying on one another when challenges seem daunting. Those moments of vulnerability formed bonds that have stayed with me ever since.
Life at LBS quickly grew beyond academics. Long days filled with classes and career prep often ended with laughter at salsa classes, comfort in potluck dinners, and deepening friendships at Toastmasters. Thursday Sundowners became my weekly anchor — a time when classmates became friends, transforming an unfamiliar city into something that felt remarkably like home.
Yet even in those rich, joyful moments, there were times I missed the familiarity of home. That’s what made celebrating Diwali at LBS so special. Practicing a dance performance with classmates from around the globe, surrounded by shared laughter and joy, made me feel a comforting blend of nostalgia and belonging.
The Battle of the Streams further highlighted this sense of community. Despite our small cohort size, the MAM class came together impressively, placing strongly among much larger programmes. It reminded me that what truly mattered wasn’t size or strength, but the unity, determination, and teamwork we displayed.
Perhaps most profoundly, participating in organizing EurOut — LBS’s flagship LGBTQIA+ conference — reinforced my understanding of what true belonging means. It wasn’t just an event; it was a celebration of authenticity, a space where everyone could show up exactly as they were. Watching peers embrace their true selves openly reinforced why I chose LBS — not just to gain knowledge or a career edge, but to be part of a community where authenticity is valued above all.
As the first term wrapped up, I realized that my initial doubts about fitting in had quietly faded away. LBS had become more than just a business school — it had become a home. It’s not just about classes or landing a job; it’s about the people who sit next to you in those classes, the people who high-five you after an interview, and the people who dance with you at Sundowners.
I know the next term will bring new challenges and opportunities, but this time, I’m not wondering if I’ll fit in. I already know I belong — right where I’m meant to be.
