Namrata Rao
Kelley MBA’19
Pursuing a business degree is a tough decision to make, especially when you plan to pursue it in another country. Nothing can be a polar opposite from my previous chaotic lifestyle in India than my structured and composed life in Bloomington. When I decided to seek an MBA, I wanted to make sure that I made my new city and the people, my home. Kelley is exactly that!
My first day, I walked into the atrium feeling nervous and excited. I picked up my Kelley bag with the details of Me, Inc.(a unique Kelley program that enables students to develop their personal brand) and was approached by classmates who were eager to know me and my story. Me, Inc. is structured to make you open up to those around you. Because of this program, I was able to make friends the very first week of school. From your teammates’ high-fives to small words of appreciation, I realized how fortunate I was to spend the next two years with people who would become my family in America.
The Core is intense with quizzes, assignment submissions, and networking. But even in this jam-packed period, we took time to enjoy the weather and festivals of other countries. During Thanksgiving, I was invited to ‘Friendsgiving’ dinners where everyone cooks something to contribute to the meal. I’ve had classmates help me learn accounting, drop me off at home on rainy nights, and teach me the American way of life! Even through the stress of internship recruiting—my coaches, second-year peers, and classmates helped me at every step of the way.
Every person who walks into Kelley is welcomed with a lot of warmth and affection—that’s what makes Kelley so special to me.