Maiju Schrey graduated in 2007. Nowadays she works as a service assistant in Vaasa at Vacon Plc, which is one of the leading suppliers of variable speed AC drives. Maiju handles service orders and communicates daily with customers all around the world. Besides her day work, she works as an aerobic instructor at a local gym.

Your Motives to Choose Vamk?

The degree programme in International Business made me to move from Pori to Vaasa, as the possibility to study business and improve language skills at the same time seemed exciting and challenging. In addition vamk provided excellent possibilities to complete a part of the studies abroad.

Your Experiences of Practical Training?

I had my practical training done in two periods. The first three months I completed in Augsburg, Germany in Euro Info Centre of the local chamber of commerce. My tasks included answering to customers’ inquiries about the eu commerce and attending an international e-forum. During that time my German language skills improved enormously! Th e second period I completed at Vacon, in the training team that time. Later on I got the opportunity to continue as a summer trainee and to write my fi nal thesis for the company. I still work there, so I have absolutely no regrets I chose that way to begin my career with.

Your Opinion of the Degree Programme?

The degree programme off ered a versatile overview to both international marketing and practices of foreign trade. I think there was a good combination of theory and practice in my studies and aft er completing exchange studies, practical training and the fi nal thesis I really felt ready to meet the challenges of working life.

The Best Memories of the Studies?

Already during the first study year I made great friends, among those were many international exchange students: we even made a trip to Lapland together. Of course my time as an exchange student in Germany was something I will never forget as well as working as a tutor for new ib-students.

Your Plans for the Future?

I’m really happy to have a job which corresponds to my education. Th e studies gave me a good basic knowledge about business that can now get deepened in working life. Perhaps some day I will continue my German studies at university or take part in a mba programme.

The degree programme in International Business provides the students with the knowledge and skills necessary for various demanding expert and leadership positions as well as special skills for both public and private sector careers. English being the language of instruction, the programme prepares the student for challenging international careers. Students from all over the world bring a variety of different cultures and experiences to this degree programme.

Careers

Graduates are employed as managers or experts in various international organisations in Finland and abroad in the fields of marketing, export and import, forwarding, transportation and custom clearance.

Study Methods

The studies consist of active problem-based individual and teamwork learning tasks dealing with marketing and foreign trade issues.Web-based studies and lectures are used in teaching and the databases of the library are in frequent use. Real-life working examples are covered in the form of various tasks and project assignments.

Basic Studies and Professional Basic Studies 95 cr

Basic Studies
Introductory Studies, Society and Entrepreneurship, Languages and Communication, Data Processing, Mathematics.

Professional Basic Studies
Business Economics and Legal Norms, Marketing, Company Economics.

Specialised Professional Studies 60 cr

Specialisation
International Marketing and Foreign Trade

- The main focus is on International Marketing, Foreign Trade and International Operational Environment.
- As another area of focus Asian Business or equivalent courses from other degree programmes, or courses at other universities of applied sciences or universities abroad can be chosen.
- A three-month stay in a foreign country according to the student’s choice is included in the programme, either in the form of studies or work placement. This gives the students the opportunity to improve both their English skills and other language skills, for example in German, French or Spanish and at the same time they will get a more profound knowledge of different business and cultural environments.