Quiet Starts in Bangalore, Busy Clocks in London
Vanessa Purnawan MBA ’26 at the Taj Mahal, Agra, India, in June. Photo credit: Vanessa Purnawan.
When I joined the eight-week Infosys InStep Global Internship program, I anticipated a unique adventure, but I didn’t realize just how much I would learn—about technology, teamwork, and myself. Not only was I based in Bangalore, India, a rapidly growing tech hub, but my project manager was in London, and my team was in Europe and the United States. This meant my summer was truly hybrid, with early-morning calls and late-afternoon check-ins quickly becoming part of my daily rhythm. Navigating time zones was sometimes a challenge, but it also gave me a firsthand look at how global teams collaborate, adapt, and thrive.
Embracing Bangalore: India’s Silicon Valley
Bangalore’s reputation as the “Silicon Valley of India” is well earned. The city pulses with innovation and possibility, and I was immediately struck by how the tech scene felt both familiar and refreshingly different from the other Asian cities where I’ve worked. The conversations were global, but the solutions were uniquely local, shaped by India’s diversity and rapid pace of change.
My project focused on developing a product and go-to-market strategy for a new sales analytics platform focusing on clients in consumer-packaged goods and fast-moving consumer goods. The technical side was demanding, but what stood out most was the spirit of collaboration. I worked with colleagues from Amsterdam and Connecticut—each bringing their own perspectives and expertise. It was humbling to realize how much I could learn by listening, asking questions, and being open to new ways of thinking.
Learning by Living: India Outside the Office
What truly made this summer transformative was life outside the office. I was part of a cohort of eight other interns from Europe, Latin America, and the US. Together, we navigated Bangalore’s lively streets, sampled street food, and visited landmarks like Bangalore Palace and the Taj Mahal. Every day brought a new lesson in adaptability—whether it was crossing a busy street, negotiating in a bustling market, or learning to appreciate the subtle differences in how business is done here.
India taught me to slow down and observe, to find joy in the unexpected, and to embrace the unfamiliar. The warmth and generosity of the people I met made me feel welcome, even when I was clearly an outsider. Sharing meals, stories, and laughter with colleagues and new friends reminded me that the most valuable learning often happens outside our comfort zones.
Growth Through Humility and Curiosity
One of the greatest lessons I learned this summer was the value of humility. I arrived in Bangalore with ideas and experiences from other markets, but I quickly realized that what worked elsewhere didn’t always translate here. My mentor, Rahul, encouraged me to approach problems with curiosity rather than certainty. Some of my best insights came from casual conversations over chai or from watching how my Indian teammates navigated challenges with creativity and resilience. I also interviewed four global senior leaders from top companies in the consumer-packaged goods and fast-moving consumer goods field. Working in Bangalore, I saw firsthand how technology can be a force for good when it’s built with empathy and understanding of local needs. I learned to appreciate the complexity of global business and the importance of adapting strategies to fit different contexts.
Carrying the Lessons Forward
As I return to Cornell, I do so with a renewed sense of humility and a deeper appreciation for the diversity of the tech world. My time in Bangalore showed me that stepping outside the box—and outside my home region—can be a powerful way to grow both professionally and personally. As an EMI Fellow, I’m especially grateful to Lourdes Casanova, Daniel Ribeiro Dos Anjos, and the Emerging Markets Institute (EMI) at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, as well as Gail and Roberto Cañizares ’71, MBA ’74, whose generosity through the Cañizares Fund made this journey possible. Their support allowed me to fully engage with India’s vibrant tech community, learn beyond the classroom, and build lasting connections. This summer reminded me that the world is far bigger than our own experiences—and that real learning happens when we step into the unknown, ask questions, and see with fresh eyes. I’m excited to carry these lessons forward wherever my path leads.
About the author
Vanessa Purnawan is a second year MBA student at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management. Originally from Indonesia, she holds a finance degree and brings eight years’ experience in consulting, banking, and technology across the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and the United States. Passionate about technology’s power to address societal challenges in emerging markets, she is dedicated to fostering growth, collaboration, and lasting impact wherever her career takes her.
All views expressed in articles published on the Emerging Markets Institute webpage are those of the author(s) and should not be taken as reflecting the views of the Emerging Markets Institute.