Elena

Why did I choose my programme?
I have always enjoyed doing more data-related things, so seeing that this programme incorporates coding into the curriculum interested me. Now, after a year, I can tell I made the right choice. Additionally, my main criteria for my study programme were that it should be taught in English and also be international. As there are around 40% internationals every year, I decided that this programme could be the right fit for me. I wanted to not ‘just’ study Business Administration, and this programme gives me that. 

What do I like the best?
The other students have been very open and welcoming. Everyone is always ready to share and help each other, which is very refreshing. Since we have many international students, everyone knows how difficult it is to move to a different country and then also start university. CBS offers many student organisations with which you can also explore other fields that might not be covered as much by your programme, for example, the CBS finance club. 

What do I think is difficult?
Getting accustomed to studying on your own, and also making the time to study, is vastly different from high school and takes some getting used to. The different forms of exams can be a bit tricky to understand at first. Especially group exams are a new experience, coming from German high school. Even after a year, I cannot say that I am particularly fond of this exam format, but I do see how it also makes it easier to understand, because you always have a study group to talk to about the material. 

What would I have liked to have known before starting my programme?
Knowing how to write proper papers can really save you, especially in the beginning. Yes, we had to write essays in high school but never were they as free to choose as some of the papers in University, so knowing how to find a topic and finding academical resources is a good base to have beforehand. Although it is by no means completely necessary, it will help you and spare you some headaches. Not study related but knowing some basic Danish will definitely help you in getting around in the beginning. 

What do I want to do after finishing my programme?
I aspire to work in the automotive industry and want to do a related master’s after this programme. However, I have joined CBS Case Competition Team, which has led me to explore consulting and now I am also looking into the possibility of that after my programme. Besides career plans, I would maybe like to just work and travel for a year after studying since I did not take any gap years after high school and would like to see some more parts of the world. 

If I could give myself a piece of advice, before starting it would be…
Don’t stress it! So far, everything has been very do-able. Even if you think you are stuck on a topic or can’t seem to understand something, there will always be the possibility of asking the professor, the teaching assistants, other students or (student favourite) the internet. Even if you think that maybe the programming is too hard, there will be many workshops and many brains that can help you understand everything, so do not stress it, and enjoy your time!