Module 4 at Copenhagen

May 22 - June 05, 2006

A celebration and Culmination. Of 2 long years of assignments and adventure, learning and looking, training and traveling. For most of us it had been the 2 most eventful years of our lives. There were many notable firsts – first salary, first stint out of home, first ‘recipe book’ cooking, first travel abroad etc etc.

The MISE (Maersk International Shipping Education) had taken us through 3 job rotations at 3 different locations, 4 training modules at Copenhagen, 1 vessel tour, 5 hour exams, meeting 254 trainees from 60 countries and countless number of assignments. Module 4 was supposed to conclude all that with a bang. We always heard that it would be the best of the four but could never imagine it would be this wild.

Reaching there a day early to get over the jet lag and taking time off to prepare for the exams we were put up at the Radissons SAS and spent most of the day trying to peer at Law, Logistics and Liner Trade books. Next day we left for the Comwell Borupgaard, a conference hotel that the company had booked for us. The familiar oohs and aahs , hugs and air kisses, ‘good to see you’ added to the chitter chatter. Entering my room and seeing my Chinese roommate engrossed in studies, gave me a complex.

Soon it was time for Opening dinner - a ritual of formal meals, speeches and introductions. This time however the speeches had traces of humour and light heartedness. After dinner there was some partying though the alcohol was kept low. And then there was a quick switch to Logistics, the first exam. It was a sight to watch hundreds of trainees cramming through notes, trying to figure out hand notes made last module and having heated arguments over Safety stock or Charter parties. By Day 2 most of us had developed steady study partners and cozy study corners. Working late hours could keep you from studying long portions. The paper setters did keep that in mind and set some manageable question papers. Fingers will be however crossed till the results are out.

Three other days were spent in presentations and lectures of the company’s business strategies, negotiation techniques, business ideas and what not. The three days went fleeting by and it was time for the big event we were so anxious about. Known as the ‘Self Leadership’ week this was meant to be a life-changing event for all of us. It indeed was one as most of us did things that we had never done before and never imagined doing. At the end of four days of rigorous mental and physical exercise with just survival level food, water and sleep it was meant to remove the fascia that we all possessed and it did just that. The level of exhaustion was immeasurable and finishing it was like the end of a battle. Battling cold, rain and sun there were many times we felt like fleeing but in retrospect it was such important learning for most of us. It managed to drill basic lessons like team spirit, hard work, introspection right up to our veins. And now those four days of free weight loss, starvation, sleep deprivation, back and head breaking tasks seem like a fond memory.

Reaching the finishing line was a emotional moment. In great style we hoisted the team flag, did the huddle and took a team picture with the rain pouring down our sun burnt faces, thatch roof like hair and mud layered clothes. Then we had the luxury of colas and chocolate and were organizing ourselves in a barn. The sense of accomplishment converted to hugs. Then we had our first civilized dinner in four days. There was a huge spread and everybody simply gorged on it.

Then the tables were pushed aside and a disco was arranged. It was the greatest disco of our lives. Most of us danced like there was no tomorrow. The blisters and bruises, cuts and cramps, dark circles and light-headedness all seemed to take a back seat and the room was simply on fire. After the 2 hour-long session we limped back outside to listen to our co coordinator’s congratulatory speech. It was short and very sweet. We were treated to Queen crooning ‘We are the champions… No time for losers’. It almost made us feel like war heroes. And then came the most spectacular fire work display in the sky I had ever seen. For a brief moment I thought I had a lump in my throat.

Then we were driven to a hotel. The first shower in four days and the first feel of linen in four days felt like heaven. Next day was long and the 8 hour beauty sleep did a world of good. It was a long and eventful day. The transformation was amazing. It was a classic case of what make up and concealors could do to one’s personality. The day started off with a de briefing of the rough and tough week and the auditorium was replete with peals of laughter over some secret pictures taken by the organisors. Then the CEO of A P Moller Mr. Jess Soderberg did his customary Congratulatory hand shake with each one of us. We walked out of the auditorium to a reception hosted by Jess Soderberg. The flag bearers of A P Moller were there. Each and every Area top along with the HR managers was specially flown in for this occasion. Handling so many important people in 45 minutes was a task.

After this was the night that we all did not want to forget. It was time for closing dinner. The girls were at their made up best and the guys at their chivalrous best. We were driven in boats to the Danish Stock Exchange, which is more of a banquet hall than a trading centre. It was 4 hours of dinner, speeches and photographs. Then we proceeded to a discotheque called ‘Luux’ in order to shed our formal niceties and there was crazy dancing which ended only in the wee hours of the morning. Being one of the earliest to leave at 4 A M the hugs and keep in touch talks would never end.

I went to bed and my tired brain did wonder how much I would miss being a trainee, the modules, the friends who have shared so much, the little anecdotes that I blog about. Its been the best 2 years of my life so far and such a humbling experience. I can never be thankful enough for this.