India, July 5 -- For many MBA aspirants, getting into IIM Ahmedabad is seen as the culmination of years of hard work. But one student has offered a candid look at what comes after making it to one of India's most prestigious business schools, saying the biggest challenges were not academic but personal.

In an Instagram post, Vivek Kundu reflected on the emotional and mental toll of his first year at IIM Ahmedabad, where he is currently pursuing an MBA. "The hidden cost of my first year at IIM Ahmedabad," the text on the video read.

In the caption of the post, Kundu wrote, "I debated at Stanford, USA. Grew up in a village, later in Chandigarh. Cracked CAT. Thought I was ready. Year 1 had other plans." "The hidden costs came in the form o...