School of Business and Economics

Lea | MSc Econometrics and Operations Research

“You’re about to graduate from your masters, any plans for next year?”
“I’m going to start my PhD in Economics at Stanford University in September. Before I started my studies, I had never considered academia as a possible career path, yet here I am. Throughout the past years, my passion for statistics and its applications to economic problems has grown and when people ask me about my motivation for pursuing a PhD, I often like to quote Greeta Iyengar: “Knowledge has a beginning, but no end.” There is so much more out there in the field that I am eager to learn about, which cannot possibly be taught in a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. So I’m really excited about the upcoming years and I’m looking forward to some sunny Californian weather, even though I will miss Maastricht and my friends here a lot.”
 

Peter | Dean School of Business and Economics

“Nowadays knowledge can be acquired anywhere and often for free by using apps, online courses and social media. How can we take advantage of these opportunities to facilitate lifelong learning?”
“Technology is changing not only the way in which we learn, it will also significantly change our future jobs. Young people under education now will have seven different jobs – and five of these do not exist today. Half of the jobs that exist today will disappear in 10-20 years. To prepare for my new job, I started to learn Dutch (Ik leer Nederlands) already in the middle of February, six weeks before I started the job. And I am using the DuoLingo app. This shows how easy it is to learn outside the traditional classroom and we should take note of this and also support PBL, the international classroom, and the Maastricht University Student Experience via technology. On top of that lifelong learning will become both a necessity and a wish of just about all ‘employees’ in whatever work relation they engage in. So, we need to think lifelong learning into our educational activities at both the traditional bachelor/master level and the continuing education that takes place in UMIO. Lifelong learning is a mind-set. It is a continuous and positive attitude towards learning and development both personally and professionally… often the distinction between professional and personal development will vanish.”

Anne | 2nd year International Business

“As a Student Guide you are encouraged and expected to help our fresh batch of students become familiarised with SBE, what was in it for you?”
“Last year, I really got excited when I saw that they were looking for Student Guides. I learned so much during my first year in Maastricht and I wanted to share my experiences and little tips with others, so this was the perfect opportunity. It doesn’t only include being a guide, though. I met awesome people who made it really easy for my fellow guides and me to enjoy organising the community activities throughout the year. Every year, so many interesting new people come to SBE and you would definitely miss out if you wouldn’t take the opportunity to get to know them.”

Aaron | 3rd year student, BSc in International Business

“A European football shirt? How did you come up with this genius entrepreneurial idea?”

“I first had the idea of the European jersey coming home from an Interrail journey in 2014, having had an absolutely amazing trip through Europe… I was determined to show the entire world how much I identify as a European. I realised that European merchandise didn’t really exist, besides a few lousy European gadgets like mugs and flags.
“Maastricht is definitely a place where you meet people who are inspiring and think in a European way… it’s where I met Ben [UCM alumnus Benedikt Kau, WhyEurope’s co-founder] for example.  If I’d studied in my hometown of Stuttgart,  I probably would never have done any of this. I really perceive Maastricht as the heart of Europe, and so I totally think this is a Maastricht story.”

Julie | MSc IB – Strategic Marketing

“I had loved my gap year abroad after high school so much, that when I came back I decided to change my whole plan of studying Law in Belgium. Meeting countless amazing people from all over the world during that year made me realize that there was so much more to learn and discover. That’s why I decided to study International Business in Maastricht. Being close to home and all the people I love, and at the same time the opportunity to meet new people from around the world thanks to the international character of Maastricht.”
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Son | MSc Business Research

"Receiving a High Potential Scholarship for the Master’s programme in Business Research still feels like a dream has turned into reality. I was born and raised in Vietnam, and as a student from a developing country, I found the financial burden a real barrier to pursuing international opportunities. Therefore, being selected as the recipient of this prestigious scholarship has given me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join one of the best universities in the world without experiencing financial difficulties. I believe that equality of opportunity does exist for anyone who is persistent and hard-working. For me, being accepted to Maastricht is an important step on the road to success in both my academic and career journey".
 

Christina | MSc Human Decision Science

“In September I started my Master Human Decision Science at SBE. The Problem Based Learning approach was new for me. However, the combination of working together with students with different backgrounds and passions, make the PBL sessions very lively and sometimes very funny as well.”