I felt a spark inside me for the business world

Sitting in my room alone during the pandemic, my only access to the world was through my devices. As I browsed through multiple social channels, I saw many startups coming forth with brilliant ideas to tackle world problems and businesses offering innovative solutions to help during the crisis. Even though my love for biology prevailed, I felt a spark inside me for the business world. I started to believe that I could work around an idea that may change the world for the better. Hence, sitting in my room still, I scavenged through articles and web pages, looking for a place to shelter my newfound venture. My search finally halted when I discovered Savonia University of Applied Sciences and its Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business.

Savonia UAS offered a degree program that aligned perfectly with my visions. As an applied sciences university, it focuses on a more practical and profession-orientated curriculum, precisely what I was looking for to expand my horizon.

There is a course called Project Planning during the second semester. In this course, students are instructed to form teams and work towards a business idea that addresses one or more of the UN sustainability goals. This class was particularly fascinating to me as the course objective was to develop teamwork and project management skills amongst students while also assisting them in creating a business model that tackles a global dilemma. Moreover, it was interesting to witness so many innovative and creative ideas each team had presented during the innovation week, where, based on the ideas, judges/investors gave feedback on the feasibility. It was almost like watching an episode of Shark Tank in real life!

Learning the Finnish language can seem daunting to many when moving to Finland, and in absolute honesty, Finnish can be tricky to master. However, Savonia UAS takes this matter into their own hands and offers students free Finnish learning courses each semester. In addition, even though all my courses are in English, international students get an additional 10% scholarship each year depending on their progress in the Finnish language. Through this added incentive, Savonia UAS ensures that by the time one graduates, they have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the language and can continue excelling further in their professional life.

Besides studies, Savonia UAS has offered me opportunities to explore outside of my courses to get practical experiences and participate in events that align with the coursework. As a student, I get to attend startup competitions like Tahko Ski Lift Pitch and Kuopio goes Slush. These events have been one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life, as the energy of the crowd here is unmatched!

Regardless, deciding to come to study at Savonia UAS was a huge step; it meant leaving the comfort of my home and indulging in a world of newness. I was initially skeptical, but looking through the images of the serene cityscape of Kuopio filled with nature and lakes, I decided to give it a shot! It’s been a year since I took that decision, and I can safely say that it has changed my life for the best! I am amongst some of the brightest minds and encouraging communities, experiencing life one adventure at a time.

Since Savonia UAS offers a multicultural environment, it is also a great place to make friends. Friends made my life here so much easier and more fun. Being amongst a group of diverse people only makes the student life in Kuopio, in a word, “lit.”

My interest in business was further shaped through my studies in digital marketing, branding, and entrepreneurship, and I want to dive deeper into these topics to find the perfect fit for myself. As of now, I am still deciding on a concrete plan after graduation because life in Finland has been quite an adventure in the last year, and I want to continue exploring my options!

To future applicants, if you want to make your daydreams of studying abroad a reality, act now and embark on a journey that will change your life forever! If this needs to be more motivating, did you know you can watch the Northern Lights from Kuopio too?