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 I was recommended Koenig by a good friend who had recently completed a MCSE and CCNA with them. I haven't travelled much and if it hadn't been for such a glowing report from a trusted source I would not have come as I found the idea of travelling alone to somewhere so far away and so culturally different very daunting.
I had a good look through the Koenig website, which I found very informative and has proved to be very accurate. I also liked the fact that the prices are clearly displayed and not concealed like many other companies, which I found very annoying when I had previously looked at boot camps.
I decided to take MCSE:Messaging at Shimla and after exchanging a couple of emails with a Koenig representative,
 which were all replied to very promptly, I obtained my visa and paid the deposit.
I arrived in India just after midnight and was met at the airport, given an information pack and taken to a hotel by means of an auto-rickshaw. An experience I won't soon forget! The hotel in Delhi wasn't great but it was only for a few hours as the information pack contained my travel itinerary for the journey to Shimla and it started with a 5am Cab pickup to take me to the train station, where I met several other students travelling to Shimla. The second part of the train journey, the mountain train, was cramped, fairly uncomfortable and slow, but that did mean you had plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. There were also plenty of stops where you could get out and stretch your legs. Upon arrival at Shimla we were met by another Koenig representative who directed us to the waiting cabs which took us to the hotel.
I stayed in the Willow Banks Hotel, which seems to be the most popular with the students. The rooms are very clean, spacious, well maintained and the staff are all polite and helpful, I personally didn't find the food there very appetizing but there are plenty of places to eat along the Mall road. After arriving you will soon meet and make friends with the 'veteran' students who will show you the best eateries and pass down lots of tips and advice.
During my stay I had 2 tutors both of which were very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. There are two aspects to the training, the first is gaining in depth knowledge about your chosen subject the other is preparing for the exam. I found the balance between the two to be just right, both the tutors I had really did like to teach and imparted a lot of knowledge.
One thing that impressed me was that all the Koenig staff instantly remembered who you were and what you were doing, I know I was having problems remembering the names of all the new people I met, it was a really nice personal touch. In fact Koenig really do focus on customer satisfaction and flexibility. If you want to change any aspect of your stay or arrange trips up into the mountains just ask the centre manager and he will do his up most to accommodate you.
I recently went on a trip to Tattapani which was arranged for both students and tutors. The first stop was at Shiva Cave and then on to Tattapani for lunch, river rafting and then relaxing in the hot springs. It was a fantastic day out and a great break from studying. You really do have to work hard on the course and spend a lot of time studying in the evenings so if you want to be able to relax and spend time enjoying the sights of India then allow yourself extra time.
I'm right at the end of my stay now, I have finished all the course work and have one more exam to sit, which I should really be studying for right now. I am glad that I decided to take the plunge and come to India with Koenig, it has been a fantastic experience and I have a lot of great memories as well as new qualifications to take home with me.
If you are looking to obtain some new qualifications then I would certainly recommend Koenig, don't be worried about being alone in a strange county as they really look after you well and you will soon make a lot of new friends. |
