Nina Grace, La Châtaigneraie 2021
Nina Grace
La Châtaigneraie, 2021
Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management at EHL Hospitality Business School
I think that my time at Ecolint was very helpful for university, especially the HL Business Management classes I took. The whole IB curriculum is rigorous, but it really did prepare me better for the workload at university.
Where did you study, and what course or program did you choose? Why did you choose it?
I studied at EHL Hospitality Business School and obtained a Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management. I chose this course because after the IB, I wanted to combine theory with more practical aspects, which EHL offered. The first year of studies is completely practical, with 6 months of workshops on campus and 6 months of operational internship.
What has been the highlight of your business school experience so far, academically or socially?
The highlight of my university was in the last year, where instead of a thesis, students are expected to work on a consulting project in groups of 6 for real companies. We got to work with IWC Schaffhausen, which was very interesting. It was great to get an insight into the professional world before graduating.
What are you doing now?
I am currently working as a Mobility Intern at UEFA in Nyon. The department coordinates and organizes how spectators will travel to the stadium of all club competition finals (Champions League, Europa League, Conference League), as well as for the EURO and Women's EURO. Although the department is highly operational, I am working in a more desk-based, analytical role.
What advice would you give to Ecolint students preparing to enter university?
Learning to manage your time and keeping track of all your tasks is important because with university applications, exams, extra-curriculars, it is easy to forget some things or get overwhelmed. I find that this is a skill that is also really important in the professional world. Another piece of advice is not to forget to do the things that bring you joy, whether it is sports or other hobbies. It is easy to get absorbed by schoolwork near the end of high school, but I found that making time for extracurricular activities during my last year of high school actually helped relieve stress and focus better.
What would be your advice for Ecolint alumni looking for an internship or a job?
When applying, make sure to always research the company beforehand, looking at their culture and reading reports that they have published/have been published about them (if applicable). Always adapt your CV/cover letter based on this as it will make you stand out from other applicants. I have also found that doing research and reading reports have made interviews less stressful and show the person you are talking to that you have a genuine interest in the company.
Are there any experiences or lessons from Ecolint that helped you adapt to or succeed at university?
I think that my time at Ecolint was very helpful for university, especially the HL Business Management classes I took. The whole IB curriculum is rigorous, but it really did prepare me better for the workload at university. Additionally, playing in the girls' football team at La Châtaigneraie was a great experience which led me to join the EHL women's team, which was a great community.
What is the main thing that surprised you in university?
The structure of university courses initially surprised me. There were less classes than in high school, but there were a lot more projects to work on outside of class so it was really up to me to manage my time efficiently. At the start, it was a bit difficult as I was getting to know people, trying to see what extracurriculars might interest me, but I eventually found a routine that suited me well.