Gunjan Kandarp Kapdi - MBA Student From India
Yana Immis
Meet Gunjan Kandarp Kapdi. A vegetarian Indian that doesn’t drink alcohol. She came to Bavaria without the German language to do her MBA degree. You can read her study in Germany success story here.
Summary
| Place of Birth | Gujarat, India |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Where did you live? | Gujarat, Rajkot (India) |
| Education Level Prior to Relocation | Bachelor Degree |
| Reason of moving to Germany | MBA Program |
| When did you move? | 2019 |
| How old were you? | 27 |
| Are you still in Germany? | Yes |
| What is your current occupation? | Working in Germany! |
| What is your future goal? | Career in Germany, Family Reunion |
| Would you like to stay in Germany? | Yes |
Chapter 1: Dream To Study Abroad
Sounds like the start of a good story. Doesn’t it?
I have been through a lot! But all went smoothly and exactly as I planned.
I was a very active child that people got irritated by my active mind. I was curious and couldn’t sit still. I always had ideas and I always wanted to do something. I was drawing a lot since childhood, painting, sketching (since 2nd class). I started writing poems and articles in class 5 and I always enjoyed writing, I do that still. My articles, in fact, got published in India! Sadly, they are not in the English language to share. I always liked to read, to study, and it paid off!
I studied an Engineering Diploma and a Business Administration Bachelor. I took IELTS and scored 7.0, which was a very safe bet to apply for programs abroad. A desire for further studies came to me after 2-3 years of working in India. I realized, that if I would like to develop, I would need to have a Master’s degree. I needed to learn more and had to educate myself on different topics, hence I started looking for MBA options.
If I want to study Master, why not to choose the best place?
By looking at the different options, I realized, it makes no sense to stick only with India. I analyzed the profiles of different countries (Australia, USA, UK, Germany). I came to know if we compare the living costs and benefits, Germany is very high in the rank.
And here I was… applying only to one school in one country.
I successfully got an offer and arrived in Germany. I love my MBA program. I easily found a job. I love my job! Sounds too good to be true? Everything went exactly how I had planned. For me it happened so smoothly, I don’t know why. Normally it's not like that.
How I approached German education and employment: strategically. I started looking for work opportunities when I was back in India, I applied for a few positions, after I had secured my place at a university and paid the deposit to a university in Germany.
I wanted to work in the field with what I studied until now and it worked out. I was searching for a job on LinkedIn and XING and I came across one job posting on LinkedIn, which I applied for. After coming here, I got in touch with them in person because they invited me for an interview. After an in-person interview, I confirmed my interest in the role (Business Process Manager – working student). Then they called me for the next interview. I cleared both interviews very well. They were happy with my performance.
Everything was handy: my education in Germany and my work experience in India for me to land this job! I work in a multinational Fintech company which is growing very fast. I do business process management. What do we do? We manage all the processes, i.e. governance. The role is to implement a new process, as an example if there is in any project with the need for extra developers, and they want to have temporary workers for the project, there should always a process to follow (the steps to hire a person). That process we design, implement, modify, and if there are challenges we are constantly in touch to check if processes are being followed. I am responsible for this and I like it so much. It is very interesting.
I got the job I wanted. I looked for this company when I was in India but it was only possible to secure it after I was enrolled in the German MBA Program with permission to work. That’s why everything went smooth. Right now we have off-campus time (MBA studies normally are from October to February and from March to July) and as per my visa, I can work 120 full days a year. I haven’t worked this year yet, that’s why I am taking advantage of it this Summer (working full-time).
Chapter 2: Culture shock
Everything happened as planned, I have been here with no troubles, but there are some things Indian students need to be aware of:
- I am here since March 2019 and as an Indian in Germany, I would say most of the time I feel comfortable here. The attitude here towards Indian students or Indian people is 70% nice. 30% it is weird. People basically see you differently and do not know how to behave. Maybe people have gone through some different experiences, I guess, whatever the reason is, but they are not 100% friendly.
- The German language is very difficult and you definitely need it. Even while working in English, or in public transport, or in governmental office…
…you have to learn – there is no other way…
If you start studying or working it will be difficult for you to spare time and learn. The German language is difficult for Indians to learn. Start when you are back home! While you have a few months waiting for a visa.
- I come from the West part of India (Gujarat state). Weather is a bit hot, so here in Germany, it is really cool. In Gujarat, we have very hot Summer it could reach +50C you cannot step outside your home. But we are not getting crazy when Summertime comes. But here, when people see the sun in Germany, they go mad, they love it, they place all the tables and chairs outside, and they can sit all day long enjoying the sun. People here love the sun.
- Gujarat is a ‘dry state’. It is not allowed to consume or to sell liquor there, there was a bit of a shock here. You can find alcohol here everywhere! And Germans (or Bavarians) consider beer as bread and start drinking early. Even company lunches can go with beer. Staying away from alcohol takes practice and resistance.
- I come from a vegetarian family, so Oktoberfest is a lot of fun (sarcasm). That would be another shock. If you don’t cook, it is a bit difficult for you to find vegetarian food. I cook and get my ingredients in the Indian grocery stores, there are not many and mostly in the city center. I must travel there every time. But then since vegetarianism and veganism is a new trend in Germany, more and more restaurants are offering at least 1 vegan/vegetarian meal per page.
- I used to feel very weird when coming home from classes, especially after 9 PM. Germans start work early and go home early. In Rajkot, we have nightlife! We would go out at 9 pm and come home at 4 am. People here sleep so early, there is no one on the street. Where are the people? You can feel very lonely and weird here not to see anyone.
- In Germany, it is normal not to know your neighbors. In India? Forget about it. You will know everyone, and everyone will know you. People will want to know everything about you and what you do for a living and how good your business runs. There are beauties of both places, but, frankly speaking, I like that in Germany, everyone minds their own business. I like the way people here are not much interested in your personal stuff, and they keep distance, it is very comfortable for me.
- Distances are very different. Here, with public transport things are easy. In India, it is tough. I like that part of Germany or Munich – good public transport and no big traffic jams. I am so thankful. When I go back to India I look forward (not) to 2-hour traffic jams.
- In India, I have never done house caring things myself, like washing dishes. We hire people for the kitchen and for cleaning. They are searching for a job, and we are happy to employ people because we can afford it. My husband has a cook and a servant. It is the way things are in India. In Munich, I do everything myself!
Chapter 3: Future
Everything is pretty good as of now. I have just finished my MBA. The MBA is challenging but very helpful. I am very much familiar with the concept of my current job thanks to my MBA. I can see the relevance of the subjects and I am really feeling connected with what I am working. I am happy about it.
When my MBA classes were held I was working part-time (240 half days a year) and when students complete the MBA they can work as a regular employee.
I already had a conversation with my company about my future and they would be happy if I were to continue working for them after my studies. We talked about long-term possibilities. Win-win situation!
I would stay for a while in Germany because it is just the beginning of my career here, I want to learn about different cultures and to explore Europe. I would love to travel around. Definitely, for some years. My life right now is all about my career. If I find something very attractive in India, I will think of going back. I am set, now it is the turn of my spouse.
My husband, Kandarp, will be moving here for his Master’s as well. We are looking for a good and affordable options for spouses to come to Germany, as he is a Mechanical Engineer and a budget for private education for two is much more difficult to organize.
Even before our marriage (back then when he was single), while doing his Bachelor he already wanted to come to Germany and study his Masters. He was so interested to learn here because he always says: “Germany – is the mother of machines!”. As soon as he finished his Bachelor, he decided to ignore his dream, as he had gotten a job. It got delayed, delayed, and delayed. But now it is the best time to go: to take a break from the job and to go for Masters as well. We are considering Master in Engineering, MBA, online MBA, study visa and spouse visa opportunities right now.
The world is your oyster! Make the right decision, Kandarp! But make sure to learn German before you arrive, please! Bitte!!!
