Each spring, students from the EADA finance programmes –International Master in Finance, International Master in Accounting & Financial Management, Master Internacional en Finanzas – Bilingüe– participate in an international business trip. This year, more than 35 participants travelled to the financial capital of Frankfurt. We asked three students to share their experience: Mauricio Verástegui (Mexico; International Master in Finance), Ornela Biberaj (Albania; International Master in Accounting & Financial Management) and Ida Albage (Sweden; Master Internacional en Finanzas – Bilingüe).
What was the highlight of the trip for you?
Mauricio: For me, the highlight of the trip was visiting the European Central Bank, and having the opportunity to see the institution that controls and regulates the economy in Europe from the inside. Sitting in the same place as Mario Draghi definitely added to the visit.
Ornela: The International Business Trip provided me with the unique opportunity to see leading financial institutions up close.
Ida: The International Business Trip was one of the highlights of my year at EADA! I found the visit to the Frankfurt Stock Exchange very exciting, since it was a unique experience to be able to see how this great intermediary interacts on a daily basis.
How did the trip contribute to your future professional planning?
Mauricio: The company visits and conferences gave me an idea of what to expect when looking for a job in the finance area after graduation, whether it be in consulting, investment banking, trading, or another area.
Ida: The International Business Trip was very valuable for me regarding my future career plans – the opportunity to visit the Deutsche Bank headquarters, KPMG, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the European Central Bank was incredible. To see these leading organisations in real life was truly inspiring and allowed me to see the theory that I had learnt at EADA applied in real organisations.
Ornela: For me, the most interesting visits were the European Central Bank and KPMG. The ECB was of particular interest to me because my country, Albania, is not yet part of EU. The visit made me hope that Albania could become part of the EU so that I could one day join the team dealing with transitional issues of the Euro. The KPMG conference was also a highlight – it gave me a broader and clearer view of how the company functions and it is now in my plan to apply for a job there when I graduate.
Would you recommend participating to future students? Why or why not?
Ornela: I would definitely recommend participating in the International Business Trip. The experience is unique for each participant, depending on the personal perspective and future career plans.
Ida: Yes! First, because it is very interesting and exciting to visit so many leading financial organisations in the world. Second, for the opportunity to get to know your fellow classmates in finance better and enjoy a trip together before graduation.
Mauricio: Future master participants shouldn’t miss the chance to enjoy the International Business Trip! It allowed me to get to know the industry in which I aim to develop my career, while providing a great opportunity to spend some quality time with the programme director and my classmates.