Meet our students! How studying at the University of Helsinki can lead to a great career

Are you interested in top research? Many of our students have the opportunity to be involved in research projects already during their studies. Also many of them want to continue with a PhD after graduation. So whether you want a research career or plan to work as a professional, a master’s degree from University of Helsinki will help you in your professional life.

Barbora Czókolyová from Slovakia studies International Master’s Degree Programme in International Business Law and Public International Law (MICL). She came to Finland at the end of August this year, so she has been here now nearly two months. However, Barbora lived in Finland for five months in 2011 when she was an exchange student at the Faculty of Law. So she’s back in business!

Hi Barbora, how are you? Busy with the studies?
Hi, thanks I am fine. I have actually a busy week behind me, the University of Helsinki is giving me a hard time now, but it is worth it. My schedule changes every week as the courses here are based on a block system during the semester. So a course can last from one week to more than a month.

What made Finland stand out as a study destination? Why did you choose the University of Helsinki?
In fact, I had spent five months at the University of Helsinki as an exchange student a part of my master’s studies in Slovakia. I fell in love with the university and city immediately. Helsinki is the best combination of all the advantages of a capital city and calmness of smaller town – at the same time. Every major international company is located in Helsinki and but the city still remains pleasant and comfortable to live in. So there was no mistake, when in 2011, Helsinki was chosen as the most livable city of the world (Monocle 2011).

Moreover, the University of Helsinki is research-oriented with an aim on sustainable growth and the Faculty of Law is considered the leading institute of legal research and education. This is definitely proved by the fact that the Faculty hosts two research institutes –The Erik Castrén Institute of International Law and Human Rights (ECI) and The Institute of International Economic Law (KATTI). I could not have picked up better place for legal studies!

Great, that sounds really good! What has been the best part in your studies so far?
There is no doubt that University of Helsinki provides excellent studying programmes. The whole environment at the university is amazingly student friendly and I love the challenging classroom debates with my teachers and schoolmates. All this makes me “thinking outside of the box”.

We definitely need to think more outside of the box! What are your plans in the near future?
My master’s degree programme is two years. The first year is more or less focused on theoretical basis studies and the second one the legal research and in particular on the topic for my master’s thesis. This a very unique programme, which absolutely fits in with my own preferences, interests and future career prospects. This academic year I would like to focus on extending my legal substance in many different areas of law directly or indirectly connected with international business area. Next year I’d like to concentrate on the research and writing of the thesis. I’m also planning to search for a job or an internship.

Sounds like you have a really good plan. There is life after studies… How does your degree equip you for this challenge?
This degree is an essential part of my future career as it is a specialized degree, with a focus on International Business Law. I can deepen my substance knowledge in many specialized subjects. This will help me in my career prospects in the future.

How does University of Helsinki provide you with support, advice and guidance?
The University of Helsinki has given and will give support and help to students throughout their studies. Starting with general questions on services stuff or specific study-oriented questions for a teacher, help is available at all stages. Such an environment creates student friendly atmosphere with is amazing and inevitable for studies.

Thank you for the interview. Any good advice for the readers?
Helsinki and Finland are for many people something that they do not know much about. I can say I felt the same my when I came here as an exchange student in 2011. Finland is a beautiful place with stunning nature and amazing people, who might be taken as reserved at the first meeting, but at the end of the day a Finnish friend is a true friend for the whole life. Moreover, the competition between students has been replaced with student cooperation, and this has created a unique education system in the world. So my advice will be: Come to study to the University of Helsinki!