Column Abroad: Aileen Booijink

Part of the Double Degree programme International Financial Management is studying a semester at the University of Uppsala in Sweden. And here we are, together with about 20 students from Groningen I went to Uppsala mid-January.

I’m Aileen Booijink, 22 years old and member of the IFM society. During my bachelor International Business I went on an exchange to Peru, and the only thing I knew when I came home was that I wanted to go abroad again if there was an opportunity to do so. When searching for masters, I came across International Financial Management and the Double Degree version of it.

Last September, I started with the DD IFM. This programme is offered jointly by the University of Groningen and Uppsala University in Sweden. This semester, we are taking four courses in Business and Economics together with about 20 Swedish students.

Besides studying, most of us take the opportunity to travel a bit. I’ve been to Swedish Lapland, went on a cruise to Tallinn and have planned a trip to Russia! This in combination with the Swedish student life gives us no reason and no time to be bored.

Furthermore, a little while ago, we organised the Risk Uppsala barbecue. Although the weather in Sweden is not always optimal to have barbecues, the balcony of our student flat helped out. Great company, a lot of food and some drinks made this event a great success!

Furthermore, a little while ago, we organised the Risk Uppsala barbecue. Although the weather in Sweden is not always optimal to have barbecues, the balcony of our student flat helped out.

“Valborg” is coming, it is the day that the Swedes celebrate with champagne and strawberry breakfast that the spring starts and will continue partying the rest of the day. However instead of one day, the students of Uppsala celebrate Valborg for four days, with boat races, dinners and parties everywhere in town. Although it also means that our semester here is getting closer to its end, we are all looking forward to it!