Geneva Calling: HOK Student Gains Abroad Experience

As part of her semester abroad, Elena Brandl, a student of International Business Studies (now: International Business Management) at HOK | University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol, spent two semesters at the Haute école de gestion de Genève from September 2025 to June 2026.

Her decision to choose HOK's partner university in Geneva was deliberate: As an avid cyclist, she was looking for a location with good infrastructure, a natural setting, and a strong education system. At the same time, she hoped to gain international experience, further her professional development, and combine her studies with leisure time in a new environment.

A STUDY LIFE WITH A FRENCH FLAIR

Student life in Geneva was varied and structured differently depending on the day of the week: On some days, Elena had several lectures in a row, while on others, she only had one class. However, the timetable followed the same pattern each week, so despite these variations, daily life remained easy to plan.

The first lecture usually started in the morning, before she used the lunch break to meet her exchange friends in the cafeteria. Sometimes lectures lasted until late in the evening, and the exam period was closely linked to the lecture time. She reported that good time management played a crucial role in coordinating everything effectively. In the afternoons, further lectures and group work filled the day, before Elena ended the evening with sports and preparing for the next day.

Outside of the university, Elena's stay in Geneva took on a special significance, as life there complemented her studies in a different way. The French influence, in particular, gave the city a distinct character, quite unlike the stereotypical image of Switzerland. She also found the cleanliness, the well-maintained cityscape, and the remarkable punctuality of the public transportation to be a noticeable improvement in her daily life, further enhancing her overall positive impression.

BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL GROWTH

Looking back, Elena describes how she took one thing away from Geneva above all else: new perspectives – both professional and personal. Her stay broadened her horizons and encouraged her to be more open to new people and situations. The exchange with practical lecturers and students from various countries was especially valuable, expanding her understanding of companies, strategies, and markets. In this international environment, she gained confidence and was also able to significantly improve her English skills, as English was the primary language of communication during her studies. While French was a nice bonus for her, it wasn't essential for everyday life.

Besides the academic aspects, Elena also cherished many memories from outside the lecture hall. On warm days, she met up with friends at the lake, went swimming, and enjoyed the high quality of life. The fact that she quickly built a new circle of friends made her stay particularly rewarding. In addition, there were numerous trips within Switzerland, to France, and even a ski trip to the Swiss Alps. Geneva thus became a place where studies, new perspectives, and special experiences came together in a truly impressive way.

In conclusion, she recommends that future exchange students at HOK arrange accommodation early. She herself lived in a student residence near the university and found it a great relief – especially since it was relatively inexpensive by Geneva standards.

Links:

• International Business Management | ft
• International Relations Office | Info page
• Our New Brand – HOK | University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol