Stoyan Vasilev: In ENGAGE.EU the Students Could Touch to the Sharing of Common European Values and an International Outlook
Stoyan Vasilev is 33 years old and currently works in a multinational corporation in the field of financial planning and analysis for Southeast Europe, Turkey and Israel. In 2023 he graduated an Executive MBA and had the opportunity to participate in the ENGAGE.EU online exchange initiative at Vienna University of Economics and Business /WU Vienna/. Prior to that, he graduated Finance from the WU in 2013 and has a Master's degree in Financial Control and Financial Law from the WU in 2015. In a short interview he shared his impressions of participating in our European University courses.
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How did you choose to join the ENGAGE.EU project?
The ENGAGE.EU project gives you the exceptional opportunity to study at another university in Europe, to interact with professors from different countries and students from all over the world, so I didn't hesitate to apply at all. It is a unique chance to study at some of the best business universities in Europe and work on real case studies in a group of people from different cultures, nationalities and backgrounds. This way you also share common values in a globalized world.
What impressed you the most during the exchange?
Perhaps the fact that all the students who participated in the project were extremely motivated and knew why they were there. There were constant and fruitful discussions on various topical cases, most related to major societal challenges and important issues. There was a quality exchange of ideas and experiences. Last but not least, I was very impressed by the very clearly structured application system and the excellently developed digital platform.
What is the teaching and assessment method?
Extremely interactive training with constant contact between the students and lecturers, the opportunity to work on real cases in real time and teamwork which I consider very important as it is part of the reality of the business environment. The assessment was based on clearly defined criteria that were announced to us before the start of the course and were based on a certain point system on a scale. There were also included assignments, group projects, an exam and bonus points for overall personal participation during the course. There was also an opportunity for students to evaluate their peers in the group assignment portion which I also found helpful.
What did you like most in the selected courses from the online exchange initiative?
I chose courses that were relevant and related to my expertise. One, for example, was related to the business development in an international context, and another - to the management and funding of investments in projects in high-risk countries. They dealt with highly relevant topics such as corporate social responsibility and sustainability strategies, industrial and organizational change in the context of sustainability. We also had the opportunity to discuss many of the issues of venture investment as a system of factors concerning all stakeholders. For example, the challenges arising from the large-scale infrastructure investments in high-risk countries. Possible diversification, risk transfer and mitigation strategies were discussed. We see all these issues as relevant in today's globally uncertain and ever-changing environment. It is worth noting that it was not just theory that was worked on, but real existing projects and case studies that also taught us of practical work.
What advice would you give to the UNWE students to motivate them to participate in the initiative?
First of all, as a graduate of UNWE, I would assure the students that the education they will receive in Bulgaria is competitive with that in the European universities. I would advise them to not hesitate to use all kinds of programmes and projects such as ENGAGE.EU to exchange and acquire experience and knowledge, especially on an international scale, because this experience is extremely useful not only for developing professional qualities but also for building many personal habits. As part of ENGAGE.EU the students could touch to the sharing of common European values and an international outlook that will undoubtedly be part of their daily professional development. Most of all, I wish the students to be persistent, to pursue their goals and to know that they have chosen a worthy university where they can obtain the necessary preparation.
What do you like doing in your free time?
The balance between the personal life and work is important to me, I love spending time with my family and seeing the world through the eyes of my young daughter. I also love to travel and explore different cultures, visit natural sights and beauty spots. Also, I follow the cultural events and I spend time doing sports for a good tone. I enjoy visiting our destinations with the mineral springs as well as those in nearby countries. Last but not least - I appreciate the good wine, cuisine and sometimes make experiment in cooking.
Any final words you would like to share?
Be committed and consistent. Set high and clear goals, not average ones. Always be ready for the hard part. And if you stumble, don't give up.
About the ENGAGE.EU Online Exchange Initiative
The ENGAGE.EU online exchange initiative provides innovative courses and modules for Bachelor`s and Master`s degree students. The educational modules are composed of 3-4 interdisciplinary online courses that address different societal challenges. They are aimed at developing the knowledge, skills and competences that contribute to the economic and social development of Europe
Read more about the online exchange initiatives and apply by 1 July 2023 HERE.
The modules can be viewed HERE.
