"Every course had real-world relevance", FHNW School of Business

Why did you decide to study at FHNW at the time?
I knew I wanted to study part-time so I could continue working. I enjoyed my job and felt that expanding my knowledge would accelerate my development. At that time in my career, a full-time programme would not have been the right choice. I wanted to apply what I learned directly in practice.

The FHNW stood out immediately because of its practical focus. It was not just plain theory, but real cases, real companies, and learning that connected directly to the workplace. As a pragmatist, that mattered to me. At the same time, I worked in an international environment, so the English part time programme in International Management was a perfect fit. The decision came quickly, and looking back, I would choose FHNW again.

How did the programme prepare you for your professional career?
One of the most practical skills I gained was learning to write structured academic papers. It gave me a method I still use today. Define the problem. Research properly. Build a clear framework. Then develop solutions. It taught me how to think in a structured way and how to break down complex topics.

Every course at FHNW had a level of real-world relevance. Even subjects I was less drawn to offered something applicable. That constant connection to practice changed how I approach challenges. Earlier in my education, I often questioned the relevance of what I was learning. At FHNW I had the opposite experience. I was able to connect everything to something practical.

How did you experience your studies abroad?
What stands out most, even before I left, was the sense of possibility. Creating shortlists. Comparing countries. Discovering completely different academic cultures. Even the preparation felt like an expansion of my world. The range of partner universities to choose from was exciting.

I chose Seville in Spain because I wanted to be in a non-English speaking country. I had already started learning Spanish in the programme, and it felt natural to build on that.

One class stayed with me long after I returned. It was a course on the history of the Spanish economy. Very specific and not something I would have taken in a regular semester. But being in Spain, it suddenly felt essential to understand the country beyond the surface. The course showed how much historical developments shape current economic realities. It taught me a surprisingly fundamental lesson. To understand the present and anticipate the future, you need to understand the past. I still use this mindset in my work. It helps me place challenges into context instead of viewing them as isolated problems.

Overall, my semester abroad became much more than just studying in a different country. It gave me the freedom to step outside my usual curriculum, to explore subjects I had not considered before, and to learn in a different academic environment. The mix of new perspectives, cultural immersion, and intellectual curiosity created insights I would never have gained if I had stayed within my familiar routine.

Which highlights from your time at FHNW do you especially like to look back on?
Without sounding too nerdy, I genuinely enjoyed writing my bachelor thesis. It felt like a real opportunity to take everything I had learned and turn it into something meaningful. I was able to apply my knowledge directly to my job, which made the whole process very rewarding.

I was also very well supported. My mentor and my company at the time gave me the space and guidance I needed, which made a big difference. The thesis became the final piece that tied everything together. It felt like finishing a puzzle and placing the last piece in the right spot.

How has the programme influenced your professional and personal development?
The strongest influence came from the programme’s future oriented perspective. It wasn’t limited to how things work today. It encouraged us to understand where fields are heading. That shaped how I think, how I evaluate opportunities, and how I make decisions.

Working on real cases helped me understand what motivates me. Whenever theory met real business situations, I realised how much I value work that creates tangible impact. A defining moment was during my specialisation in International Financial Management. We worked on a real project using data analytics, guided by a brilliant professor who placed strong emphasis on the future of the field. It was my first clear insight into how finance will be shaped by data. That experience sparked an interest that eventually led me toward analytics. The programme did not just build my knowledge. It shaped my direction.

What advice would you give to current and future students?
Use the breadth of the programme as a chance to explore. Pay attention to what each subject triggers in you. I started my studies with a clear idea of the field I wanted to work in. Through the different classes and through reflecting on them, new interests emerged that shaped my path far more than my initial plan.

Stay curious and open-minded. Let your interests guide you, not your assumptions. A bachelor’s degree gives you a rare opportunity to explore your interests before committing to a specialisation. Use that freedom to understand what genuinely motivates you.