I never knew about IBA until I came to Karachi from a remote town of Larkana. I was in A-levels and one of my friends was in love with this institution. Attended the Open House, and it became a dream that I had to accomplish then on. Coming from a humble background, my father always told me to attempt Civil Services examination after doing CA- yeah you read it right, he wanted me to go for Chartered Accountancy.
A dream come true..
More than a dream, it became a battle for me when my father agreed but on one condition- it was either IBA or going back to my town, forever. Without any other backup plans, I tirelessly prepared for IBA. It was indeed a dream come true to be there finally. Everywhere I could see excited ‘Freshies’. After a week or so, the excitement started to fade and students began to realize that the dream place was not so perfect.
Nothing is free of imperfections, absolutely nothing
However, despite all the imperfections, I was still able to love IBA. I was fond of my second home if you can call it so. The friends I got to make at this place are still the ones I cherish the most. We would walk from Adamjee to the CDC Building chatting and laughing, sometimes running to full of our abilities to reach in classes on time. Going to the gym, canteen and meeting with most of the batchmates in the prayer room are best of my memories from this chapter of my life.
Course selection process was indeed a tough task, but that brought us closer
The course selection process is nerve-breaking, but I still enjoyed it. It was the time when we would sit and plan to have courses together with the most desired teacher in terms of leniency and grades, course. But all would not end well; one of our friends would end up with the least desired teacher, most of the times it was me. Ironic as it is, I always managed to score better grades with those teachers.
Despite imperfections, I still love IBA
The fact that we used to complain a lot about certain things at IBA doesn’t change my love for it. This is because I believe nothing is free of imperfections. We must work together on those imperfections for better and acknowledge the positives. Instead of starting to disown a place that makes us feel proud of ourselves in our personal and professional lives, we must fully own it with pride and stand corrected if there are any wrongs identified.
I can never bid farewell to IBA, ever
Its already been five years since I graduated in year 2016, but it feels like yesterday. I miss IBA, a place that helped me make the best of my time. It helped me in learning and growing to become a better version of myself. Even after graduating, I availed the opportunity to attend a three-day Entrepreneurial Mother’s Camp with my little one. This makes me feel that I might never leave such an opportunity ever, because I miss IBA.
