International Business Students Write about Their Experiences

Aki Sand, International Business student in the adult evening programme

When I started the International Business Program at Haaga-Helia, back in fall 2009, I knew it can be quite challenging to combine full-time working and evening studies. I must say that it is challenging, but at the same time it is also very rewarding to use the existing experience and new skills both in my daily work and study tasks. The key things are motivation and time management! When you are motivated to develop your skills and update your expert knowledge, you will find time for studies and work, and enjoy it.

At the beginning it felt overwhelming with all the assignments, readings and exams in addition to my responsibilities at work, but I have developed my time management skills a lot during my BBA studies. This has been great because having enough time also for other things such as my family, friends and sport activities is important.  One practical way to manage time is to make some of then things routine, for example by going to work in mornings at the same time and by reserving a pre-set time for study assignments on weekends.

The better time management has affected my performance at work by improving efficiency. My classmates’ support helps a lot in the hectic semesters.  The excellent team spirit amongst the fellow-students guarantees that everyone supports and back-ups each other if someone cannot be present in all the lessons due to business trips or other work commitments. The International Business studies give me a chance to update my knowledge and get the best of the multicultural learning environment and prepare myself for the future challenges.

Laura Lindborg, International Business student in the adult evening programme

I am a GLOBBA student in HAAGA-HELIA University of Applied Sciences. I study as an adult/evening student for a Bachelor degree in International Business. Spring 2011 is now my 4th semester and I am one step closer in achieving my degree. What I did during my 3rd semester and where I spent it might have been a little uncommon since most of the adult students work fulltime, but I am happy I did what I did. Under certain conditions, you’re allowed to have a study leave from your work – and so I decided to use the opportunity and take a semester abroad.

I spent my 3rd semester studying in one of the partner institutions of HAAGA-HELIA in Seoul, South Korea. The exchange was organized through the bilateral exchange program. The university where I spent my fall 2010 was one of the top five universities in the country. I was very lucky to have been selected to this program. Living in a new culture, learning about the language and the customs is always an experience and you learn a lot about yourself and get new perspectives. Also since East Asia is businesswise very important region, you can get a lot out of it.

Everything worked well from the beginning to the end both from the side of HAAGA-HELIA as well as from the side of the receiving institution. All I can say for all the parties involved, Thank you so much for the opportunity!