Course Overview – Semester Abroad at VIU
During my semester abroad, I am taking five courses. This gives me classes from Monday to Thursday, leaving Fridays free, which provides plenty of time for weekend trips.
Compared to my university in Germany, the exams and courses are easier. For instance, the material is split across multiple exams, and participation in class also contributes to the final grade.
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance is one of my most challenging courses. It focuses on the financial goals of a company, financial markets, the time value of money, and the valuation of debt and equity. Other topics include risk management and portfolio theory. The material is divided into three exams, which consist of multiple-choice questions and calculations. The course is manageable, as we are allowed to bring a cheat sheet with notes into the exams. Additionally, I already learned the basics of finance at my university in Germany, which makes the course easier for me.
Human Resource Management
This course provides an overview of the knowledge and skills required to recruit, lead, and develop employees. Topics include the role of a manager, recruitment and onboarding, interview techniques, training and development, coaching, performance management, and maintaining a harmonious work environment. The teaching style is very personal, with plenty of practical examples and humorous elements. The course includes five individual reports, two exams, and group projects designed to deepen and apply what we‘ve learned.
Organizational Behaviour
This course examines how human behavior in organizations impacts individual performance, relationships with others, and group dynamics. The focus is on how organizations function as a whole and what factors contribute to effective management. We take two exams and complete two group projects in which we analyze various companies. These practical applications help us link theoretical knowledge to real-world examples and better understand organizational dynamics.
Retail and Wholesale Management
In the Retail & Wholesale Management course, we dive deep into various retail formats in both food and non-food sectors. Key topics include growth strategies, new competitors, and the internationalization of retail. For assessments, we deliver two presentations to the entire class, where we can practically apply what we‘ve learned.
Advertising and Promotion
The Advertising and Promotion course is by far the most creative one I‘m taking this semester. The focus is on developing practical skills that can be directly applied in the advertising industry. We learn how to design ads, catalogs, and even radio spots. A significant advantage is the opportunity to submit our work throughout the semester and receive regular feedback. This allows us to improve our projects continuously and prepare for the final submissions. Graded assignments are only due on the last day of class, and we can choose between different projects for evaluation. The professor emphasizes that our submissions should be industry-worthy, meaning they should meet professional standards. Enjoying creative design is essential, as this is the core of the course.
Overall, I am very satisfied with my choice of courses and can manage the workload well. Of course, there are times when I need to focus more on university work, especially when deadlines for multiple assignments are approaching. However, everything balances out, and it‘s possible to achieve good grades by actively participating in lectures.
