EU Bachelor of Business Administration graduate Mr. Alex Stöckl is currently continuing his studies at the Grenoble Graduate School of Business in France (GGSB), ranked seventh in the Financial Times Global Masters ranking. EU Today caught up with him to discuss his university studies.

EU Today: As you look back on your time at EU, how would you say that your time with us prepared you for your Master at GGSB?

I must say that EU did a great job preparing me for my Master studies at GGSB. The undergraduate studies at EU gave me a perfect basis for the Master level in business.

EU Today: Did the international study environment at EU benefit your learning?

The international study environment at EU definitely benefitted my learning as it gave crucial insight into cross-cultural differences, leading to a strong broadening of perspective. Studying with students from such great variety of cultural backgrounds tremendously increased the quality of class discussions and enhanced a global way of thinking among students and faculty.

EU Today: Are there marked differences between teaching methodology at EU and Grenoble?

The greatest difference between classes taught at EU and at GGSB is that EU has a stronger focus on the practical side of the subjects. While in Grenoble I spend a lot of time reading academic theories and text books, at EU I felt a stronger emphasis on the practical approach of topics, meaning presentations, role plays and assignments.

EU Today: Can you name three aspects of your European University experience that you can relate directly to your chosen career path?

Practicality, Internationality and Approachability, are the three words I most closely link to the experience at EU that brought me to where I am today. “Practicality” refers to the approach of practical learning, meaning the application of theories to management situations. In every course plenty of short case studies are used to underline the practical use of what is being studied and having to hold at least one presentation per week makes you become an expert in communicating your opinion and pitching your ideas. “Internationality” stands for the strong diversity of nationalities and cultures within the EU classroom. Sharing knowledge and discussing issues with other students from Asia, North and South America, Africa and all over Europe makes you better understand the global environment you are going to work in and opens your eyes and mind to other cultures and different ways of doing things. Last but not least “Approachability” stands for the open-heartedness of European University’s administrative staff, but even more its faculty. Professors are not only easy to approach with classroom topics and questions about course content, but also about personal issues such as career path, advice for applications and support in difficult life decisions. While at most universities professors are rather distant from students, at EU professors build a very close relationship to their class and students which leads to strong networking boundaries.