Anita - 2nd Year International Business Student

Study at ISB

I am studying International Business Bachelors with a specialization in Management. I chose this study because it gives me a wide variety of opportunities in multiple fields of business. I was unsure what aspect of business interests me the most, so I am glad I could try several types of projects in business such as marketing, logistics, finance, and management.

The Program

I recommend it because it is an open communication-based, welcoming study environment and students can try themselves in the fields of business both theoretically and in real life. Having this diploma gives you amazing opportunities in the job market, and you get to meet people from a lot of different countries.

Advice for Future Students

Make sure that you are willing to work for yourself in order to achieve your academic dreams, and be motivated to learn business from many aspects! Try to be open-minded and you will get to meet many amazing people, both students and lecturers, from whom you can learn a lot. Also, don’t be afraid to be your authentic self, it is much appreciated at this international course.

Why ISB and The Netherlands?

I wanted to explore The Netherlands, since I had grown up in Budapest, I am honored to have the chance of receiving education and living in West Europe, due to my EU citizenship making the process easy. Also, because the novelty of being in a new country and having adventures has always intrigued me. I think that the Dutch education system offers good quality, and students have possibilities in becoming successful in the business field within a well-functioning economy.

Electives Courses Taken

I have taken Consumer Behavior, Dutch 1 & 2, Circular Economy, Value Creation from Data, Coaching & Consulting, Get Hired!, and Excel. Circular Economy taught me a lot about sustainability and how state-of-the-art ways to reduce waste and protect our planet look like, and what it takes to establish these processes and ways of thinking. I would say that Consumer Behavior and Excel were rather challenging. I would recommend "Get Hired", because CV writing and interview skills are very important in this course of study and field. 

Elective Dutch

How to have a successful job interview, what are the foundations of consulting jobs, and a basic level of Dutch language. I have met many different students outside of my class, and the same goes for lecturers. Fortunately, I met a lecturer who speaks my native language, which is quite rare, so I was really glad that I chose that elective and I got to expand my network!

 

Hands-On Projects: A Quick Overview

• External Environment – We learned about the external environment of companies and how they operate in these environments.
• The Organization – We learned about how companies differ from each other, for example in their daily operations, and what types of organizations there are.
• Operations – We had to design a drive-by COVID test site in order for it to operate more effectively and efficiently.
• Trends and Innovations – We learned about trends in the maritime sector and researched a specific company and what trends they implemented or could implement.
• Finance – We analyzed the financials of a telecommunications company compared to their competitors in the market.
• Supply Chain Management – We played the simulation called The Fresh Connection, in which we acted as players in the logistic chain within a company.
• Marketing – We advised a second-hand designer online store on how to improve their online marketing.
• Organization & Change – We studied a company’s structure, culture, and systems and identified differences between how it is currently and how it should be.
• Internal Change – We had to solve inner conflict between managers of a company.
• Organizational Change – We had to solve organizational issues in the healthcare industry with a crisis and a change that needs to be implemented.

Favorite Projects

Organization & Change and Internal Change, because we could use our creativity to help a company find its way to a better state of operations and resolve conflicts.

Most Learning During Projects

During the Supply Chain Management project, we learned the difficulties of coordinating logistics, and how to orchestrate different players of the supply chain in order for the operation to result in a higher profit. In Organizational Change, we could conduct interviews with stakeholders of a hospital during a crisis. I learned a lot about internal and external players’ behavior and how difficult it is to implement change in the face of resistance.

Key Learnings from Projects

Students must share equal parts of the task and have open communication with each other. Also, identifying your group members’ strengths and your own can help in planning the layout of tasks. It is also important to make sure that everyone learns and is on the same page. Advice for Future IB Students Try to establish open communication and settle group rules in the beginning, to make sure that everyone will thrive and get the most out of what the course offers to teach.

Specialization

I chose the Organization & Change specialization, which is the Management specialization in practice. It deals with the people-side of business. In this field of work, there is quite some admin work, but also it includes facing managers and many other stakeholders of the company. Within management, there is HR, Change Management, and Project Management which are different areas. If someone is passionate about understanding the inner workings of a company, this specialization might be the right choice.

Reason for Choosing the Specialization

I chose Management because I want to make positive changes in companies, make sure that employees are cared for, and that I can help companies set their code of conduct, project plans, managerial tasks, and overall, I could work with people face-to-face. I am also interested in sociology, politics, and behavioral studies, which somewhat correlates with this field.

Favorite Subjects Within the Specialization

In Organizational Change, we could conduct interviews with stakeholders of a hospital in the midst of a crisis. I learned a lot about internal and external players’ behavior and how difficult it is to implement change in the face of resistance. I feel good in this field and I am happy that I chose it as my specialization.

Advice for Students Choosing the Specialization

Be open to learning from your lecturers during simulations, go with the flow of the projects, and try to make sure that your group members are just as enthusiastic about getting it right, as you are.