Using IT to promote sustainability
Former NHH student Francesca Accerbi travelled from a little village on the Ligurian coast in Northern Italy and ended up in Orkla’s headquarters.
Taking a double degree in finance
‘It is perhaps the best way to acquire as much knowledge as possible in a master’s degree,’ says Sabrina Maria Erlacher. She and Beatriz Soares Magalhães are taking a double degree at NHH and Nova.
Beatriz Soares Magalhães (21) from Portugal and Sabrina Maria Erlacher (23) from Austria started their double degree at NHH in August last year.
When they graduate in 2021, they will have two master's degree titles; MSc in Economics and Business Administration from NHH, and an additional MSc in International Finance from Nova School of Business and Economics in Portugal.
GAIN a global mindset
‘A double degree program is an excellent opportunity to get a global mindset, and to build a network of friends and future business partners from all over the world. It is perhaps the best way to acquire as much knowledge as possible in a master’s degree,’ says Erlacher.
They applied for a double degree because they wanted international experience and new perspectives:
‘By taking this degree I get perspectives from both my home country Portugal and Norway, which are two countries that are very different,’ says Magalhães.
The double degree programme at NHH is for ambitious and motivated students who want to challenge themselves academically. The students will finish their master’s degree in the same time as it usually takes to finish one degree.
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Finance needs more women
At NHH, all double degree students can pursue the specialisation of their choice. Magalhães and Erlacher have both chosen Financial Economics.
‘Finance is known for being dominated by men and a really competitive environment, but if you really like something you have to put those things aside and pursue what you want,’ says Magalhães.
Women are still under-represented in finance studies and the finance market. At NHH, the finance specialisation has in total 76 percent men and 24 percent women.
Magalhães and Erlacher emphasise that women are important for long-term success in the finance market:
‘Finance needs more women, because we have a different perspective than men, for example when it comes to investing or risk management. We add diversity, and this is important for long-term success,’ says Erlacher.
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Among the best business schools
The master’s students had never been to Norway before they started their double degree at NHH. For Erlacher, international rankings was a key trigger:
‘I applied for studies at NHH, because it is among Europe’s best business schools according to international rankings,’ says Erlacher. NHH is number 39th in the latest Financial Times’ ranking.
Magalhães decided to go to Norway after an exchange semester during her bachelor studies at Copenhagen Business School:
‘Copenhagen made me fall in love with Scandinavia, and therefore I had to come back. I am not used to the mountains and the Norwegian weather, but I have really enjoyed it,’ says Magalhães.
The students just started their second semester at NHH, but are already starting to appreciate Norwegian work ethics and values:
‘My impression is that Norway is working strongly for gender equality, has a good work-life balance, is giving a voice to everyone, and at the same time, has a sense of responsibility and professionalism. Much of this is different from my home country, and I think the rest of the world really has something to learn,’ says Magalhães.