I think it was on 23rd August this year when I received a response to my application for the fourth batch of the ‘She Creates Change’ training program.
The mail began with some wonderful statistics that bloated my ego. Out of 1200 applications they will select only 30 women. I had to submit the written test by 27th August.
Fast forward three weeks later, based on the written test I qualified for the interview which took place on 24th September.
Then it was forgotten as I was getting ready for Durga Puja celebrations.
Only on October 15th when I receive a mail confirming fully-funded scholarship for a one-year program that begins with a 6-day in-person Learning Lab in Bangalore (24th November - 29th November 2018) that I first checked out the venue in Google.
When I saw glimpses of the venue online, I landed in cloud nine.
It was simply beautiful. My enthusiasm sore and I surfed more about the venue.
Founder
The school was founded by Late Mrs Manize Sait who wanted to start a spiritual center for human transformations, someone who believed in the religion of love as the most powerful energy in the Cosmos.
The Campus
I was not aware that the campus had facilities like a library, reading room, book shop and a research center.
What I had not realized was the other 29 participants aspiring to be change makers in that lab had captured every bit of information about the venue.
Our Accommodation
It was on a twin sharing basis and my room mate was an author of several books, a fitness freak, runner and entrepreneur. Above all – she was beyond labels- a terrific human being.
Dining
All meals are strictly vegetarian. Consumption of non-vegetarian food, alcohol, drugs and smoking are not allowed in the premises
The meeting point close to the main gate had tea-coffee break area.
Campus Facilitates Learning
I was literally scared that it will be a taxing session and we will be drained by the end of the day. Though the schedule was tight starting at 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM, the module was designed in such a manner that it addressed different learning styles and preferences – keeping our minds at ease and open to learning.
The learning road map encouraged solitude, painting, bonding, connecting, warm up dancing, music and so much more. The learning was definitely not informational or confined to cerebral stimulation alone. It was aimed to be transformational that touched different components of your mental space and mostly self-directed.
The campus, the training hall, the calm atmosphere, the distance from the city, the seclusion from home, the bonding with others – that depth of learning probably would not have happened if we were not in that campus.
You have to visit their website to interpret their logo.
How to reach:
It is just 7 kilometers from Devanahalli Airport. I have not seen an auto or bus ply there. I was picked and dropped by car. I am sure Uber and Ola are prominent players there.
I am not sure if I would learn or enjoy this learning program in a different environment. After years in Corporate and having trained dozens of participants, I know the greenery works much better than glass walls.
The environment can make a huge difference to one’s learning and ability to reflect.
The cost shows Re 1 as this was fully sponsored trip and it cost me nothing. The training was a life time experience and the journey to bring change has already begun.