When I began exploring MBA programmes, I was looking for a learning experience that could offer meaningful exposure both in India and abroad. Initially, I considered the popular PGDM programmes and even applied to one. I learned about the Global Management Programme at SPJIMR by chance through a call from the programme office. After conducting my own research and connecting with alumni, it became clear that GMP was exactly what I had been searching for: a unique combination of a leading Indian B-school offering the opportunity to study abroad at top-rated international partner schools. The S. P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) Global Management Programme (GMP) distinguished itself through its international structure and cross-cultural learning environments. It truly provided the best of both worlds.
As part of the SPJIMR GMP batch 14 (June 2021), I experienced the programme during a period shaped by the pandemic. For me, GMP offered the best of both worlds, the credibility of a respected Indian institution along with opportunities to learn and grow across international academic environments.
What made SPJIMR GMP distinctive
One of the defining strengths of the SPJIMR Global Management Programme (GMP) is the learning that happens beyond the classroom. GMP’s diverse curriculum helped me grow into a strong generalist ready to handle a diverse set of problems. Interacting with people from a wide range of backgrounds pushed me to think differently and approach challenges from multiple perspectives.
Another aspect that stood out to me was the relative accessibility of international education through GMP, particularly as several partner institutions offered scholarships to SPJIMR participants. The programme structure itself also felt distinctive. Students begin the programme with six months at SPJIMR before transferring credits to partner institutions abroad, allowing exposure to both academic environments.
Some of the defining advantages of the GMP pathway included:
Dual alumni status, offering access to professional networks across both institutions
Collaboration between SPJIMR and the international partner schools offering special scholarships to students joining through GMP.
A supportive alumni network abroad providing help in navigating day-to-day challenges in a new environment.
Developing a broader approach to product thinking
SPJIMR GMP played an important role in the transition from software engineering to product management. Today, I work as a Product Manager at CAMS Limited, leading financial technology products across Account Aggregator infrastructure, digital onboarding, and data-driven financial services.
The programme exposed me to subjects like finance, marketing, analytics and strategy. which gradually encouraged me to approach problems by using a broader business perspective instead of my technical skills.
I also credit the programme’s international exposure with shaping how I approached product design and decision-making. Product management requires both specialised expertise and broader business understanding, and GMP helped me build that balance over time.
Learning across global academic environments
SPJIMR GMP brought me to the IESEG School of Management in Paris, which was my partner institution. It attracts talent from across the world, making it both intellectually rich and an eye-opening experience.
The highlight of my life abroad was the international exchange programme at Politecnico di Milano in Italy and Insper in São Paulo, Brazil. They provided new insights into how global businesses operate and solve problems worldwide.
The strength of the GMP alumni network
One of the most reassuring aspects of the GMP experience was the accessibility of its alumni network. Whether it involved visa-related guidance, coursework support, or resume reviews during job applications, the alumni community remained approachable and consistently supportive throughout the journey.
Returning with a fresh global perspective
The GMP support system, with its global alumni network, was especially valuable while adapting to life abroad. My campus experience at SPJIMR during the programme was limited due to COVID-19. However, revisiting the campus during the SPJIMR alumni meet in December 2024 gave me a glimpse of the energy and community I had missed during that period.
Living and studying in Europe gave me a realistic understanding of what it takes to build an international career. It demanded both flexibility and self-starting skills and required me to navigate opportunities independently. I had given myself a six-month window to explore opportunities abroad before eventually deciding to return to India.
Even today, the people I met and the experiences I had there continue to influence how I approach problems and decisions while designing products and working across different business contexts.
Advice to future GMP participants
For me, the SPJIMR GMP became much more than academic exposure. I believe the experience becomes much more meaningful when approached with curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to step beyond familiar environments.
Advice to future participants:
Every student you meet is a future business leader, so seize opportunities to connect with your GMP peers and students from other programmes.
Establish strong relationships with your faculty and stay connected with them, as their guidance will be extremely valuable, both during assignments at the European partner school and throughout your career.
Unlike the traditional Indian placement system, the partner schools have a career centre to guide you, but you will need to put in significant effort to secure your dream role. Additionally, if you plan to move to Europe, invest time in improving your language skills, as this can be a significant barrier.
For me, the lasting impact of GMP was not just the international exposure but the way it gradually changed how I approached learning, uncertainty, and decision-making across different environments and cultures.
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