Charlotte Ryan began studying in the Degree Programme in Digital Business Innovations at Haaga-Helia Porvoo campus in 2024. She is originally from the Boston area in Massachusetts, USA, but has always had a strong connection to Finland, as she is half Finnish.
After high school, Charlotte spent a gap year in Germany, living with a host family and attending German high school. This experience deepened her interest in international environments and confirmed her desire to study in Europe.
A spontaneous choice ended up being the right one in every way
When Charlotte applied to Haaga-Helia, she was still figuring out what she wanted to study. Even though choosing digital business innovations was first a spontaneous choice, Charlotte quickly discovered it aligned perfectly with her interests.
– Once I started studying, I quickly realized it was the perfect fit for me. I’ve always been interested in social media and the digital world, and this programme connects those interests with business in a creative and modern way.
The programme combines international business knowledge with key aspects of digital business innovations and digital marketing. The studies are very project-based, offering plenty of hands-on learning.
– What I love about digital business innovations is how broad it is. You don’t have to choose a specific focus like marketing or finance. Instead, you learn about all areas of business from a digital perspective, which makes the degree versatile for any future career.
One of the highlights of her studies has been working as a team leader at the Nordic Business Forum, the largest business event in the Nordics, with which Haaga-Helia has collaborated for several years.
– I first joined as a customer service representative and later became a team leader, which was an amazing hands-on experience that taught me a lot about leadership, teamwork, and communication. It gave me so much confidence and helped me apply what I’ve learned in a real environment.
“The social side of the studies has really made me feel at home in Finland”
Coming from the United States, where the student culture and campus life are vibrant, Charlotte wasn’t sure what to expect in Finland. When the studies started, her worries disappeared quickly.
– During the orientation week, I made friends right away, both international students and Finnish students. The tutors did a great job of helping everyone connect, and that really made me feel welcome from day one.
She was pleasantly surprised by how international and interactive the environment at Haaga-Helia was. There are a lot of events organised by the student associations and a great community of international students.
– It’s been amazing to see how easy it is to meet people, get involved, and feel part of something bigger. The social side has made my experience even more enjoyable and really helped me feel at home in Finland.
Advice for future students
Charlotte encourages future students to be active and open-minded.
– My advice is to get involved and take as many opportunities as you can. Even if you’re a bit nervous at first, the community here is welcoming, and it’s easy to make friends and find your place.
She happily recommends Haaga-Helia to anyone considering it.
– If you’re thinking about studying at Haaga-Helia, I’d say go for it! The programs are really practical, international, and give you the chance to explore a lot of different areas of business, especially in the digital world.
