India, Part 1
In between semesters 20-some Brand students ventured to the other side of the globe to see how some big companies do business in India. Along the way we all had the opportunity to sample the local culture and do plenty of sightseeing. There's a lot to see and do in two weeks, so for the sake of moderation we'll break the trip into manageable chunks - so check back over the next couple days for more post-trip blogging. Onto the trip...



We arrived in Mumbai bright and early and had the first day to ourselves for some much needed recovery after a long day of travel. Some people hit the ground running while others chose to enjoy the very un-Madison-like weather and lounge by the pool. After dinner at a local hot spot, some called it a night while the more intrepid travelers continued their exploration of the city.



Sunday included a trip to Elephanta Island to explore caves adorned with ancient Hindu carvings, the Hanging Gardens, and Dhobi Ghats - where laundry is done by hand for thousands of residents. Our day concluded with a visit to Ghandi's house, which has since been turned into a museum of sorts.



After a day of sightseeing, Monday brought our first company visit. We were off to P&G where we got our first glimpse into the big-picture landscape of India. A country described as Australia surrounded by Mexico, wrapped up in Africa poses many unique business challenges, and with thousands of new members joining the consuming class daily, we were exposed to a unique way of thinking about marketing. After another fantastic dinner, it was about time to call it a day.


With three days in the books, this seems like a good place to end Part 1. Check back soon for more!