European Exchange Destination (St Gallen/Bocconi/Vienna/Scandinavia/Leipzig/Mannheim)

Hello WSO,

My first discussion post! I'm joining a Queen's Masters program which encourages a semester abroad to a partner school. Since there's no degree to be gained, and the courses are all electives, the decision will be based mainly on the criteria of: Interest/relevance of course options available, career/internship/networking opportunities, the school's reputation internationally (how good it looks on a resume), and the city/student life.

In terms of career to date I have a finance degree from a non target, and 3 years work experience in commercial banking. For the future I would be open to the idea of getting back into a more quant/analytical banking role, but given recruiting norms hiring undergrads with internship experience I'm not holding my breath. My second option is to make a transition into consulting, I'm also exploring the potential to secure an internship with a multinational NGO (WTO, World Bank, UN) to gain some public policy/economic development experience before considering a move back to the private sector.

Exchange options in order of current preference but subject to change:
1) St Gallen
2) Bocconi
3) German School: Leipzig/Mannheim
4) Scandinavian School: Copenhagen Bus School/Stockholm School of Economics/Norwegian School of Economics
5) WU Vienna
6) University of Zurich

I would assume being in Switzerland would help for NGO internships, but I figured it should be St Gallen or bust given the higher standing of other schools above Zurich. There are also a few other UK options, but I'd rather get out of my comfort zone, and a few dutch (Maastricht/Rotterdam).

Any input is appreciated!

 
Best Response

I would highly advise you to go to Bocconi, all of the schools are good but Milano is just a cool place to live in, and the school is really well known in europe, also before going to st gallen seriously consider the fact that your expenses will be higher than in Paris/Milano/London but you will live in a damn village (must admit a beatiful one). And WU is overcrowded, don't go there. German schools are good studywise but student life sucks there (but compared to St Gallen its at least cheap). Stockholm also offers a nice balance of prestige and student life, but imho Bocconi>SSE

 

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