ENGAGE.EU Master's Programme in Global Sustainability Management Provides International Experience and New Horizons

Participating in international education programmes provides for students the opportunity to experience different academic traditions, cultures and perspectives, build professional networks and friendships, as well as reassess their personal and career goals. This is exactly the experience shared by Alexandra Uzunova, a student at our university, included in the first class of the Global Sustainability Management /GSM/ Master`s Programme of the European university alliance ENGAGE.EU.

The training takes place at the Hanken School of Economics in Helsinki, Finland, and Alexandra talks about the academic side of the Programme and shares some practical guidelines related to the organization of the semester, accommodation, student life and adaptation to a new country. “If you want to spend an unforgettable semester, experience interactive learning and make lasting friendships with people from all over Europe, GSM is the programme for you”, said Alexandra.

Global Sustainability Management is a joint Master’s Programme developed within ENGAGE.EU. For Alexandra, it’s the unification of different academic perspectives that makes GSM something much more significant than the traditional student mobility: “The Programme is not just studying in another country. It’s an incredible opportunity to study under a jointly developed curriculum by ten European universities, focused on knowledge, skills and developing the inner potential of students”.

GSM is implemented as a one-year programme with a total workload of 60 ECTS credits. Ten partner universities, including the UNWE, participate in it. The curriculum is divided into two semesters and includes mandatory and elective courses as well as a special course. Among the main features of the programme are learning through practical challenges, working in international teams, simulations, project labs, intensive training formats and meeting with university professors and business representatives. For Alexandra, this educational model has a direct impact on the future professional development: “This could very well be the programme that will set you on the path to a career you’ll find fullfilling every day, even on weekends!”

The semester in Helsinki begins in the second week of February and ends in the second week of May. The period is intense, full of academic tasks, new teaching methods and work in an international environment. Hanken School of Economics integrates GSM into its Master’s Programme in International Strategy and Sustainability. The training places a strong emphasis on experiential learning and practical work.

In addition to the academic preparation, staying abroad involves a number of practical questions. Among the first tasks for the participants is finding a place to live. According to Alexandra, the application for a student dormitory in Helsinki is organized entirely online and does not present any difficulty. On the platform, there is an opportunity for the student to indicate that they want to be accommodated with a friend. After submitting the application, students receive one or more accommodation offers. The decision whether to accept or reject the offer must be made in a relatively short time, so it’s important for candidates to regularly monitor their e-mails, and the information on the platform. “For unclear instructions or questions, the coordinators at Hanken are always available and respond promptly”, noted Alexandra. She did not fail to note that living in Helsinki isn’t cheap, but student status provides access to a number of financial benefits that make daily expenses more bearable. Among them are the partially subsidized student canteen and discounts in UniCafe catering establishment. Students can also use a public transport card at a discounted price. Along with the cost of housing, food and transportation, an important issue for any student abroad is the access to medical care. “It’s worth mentioning that the healthcare system is of a very high standard and in unforeseen situations, you will be provided with medical care, and I did not have to pay any fees for examinations”, added Alexandra.

For Alexandra, the participation in the first course of the Programme, and the opportunity to study in Finland remain an invaluable part of her education and personal development: “I highly recommend Global Sustainability Management /GSM/ Master`s Programme. As one of the first participants to go to Finland, I was personally convinced of the invaluable experience it brings. It is a programme with huge potential, which I strongly support”.