Stockholm School of Economics in Riga Students' Magazine

On Thursday, October 15 there was the first guest lecture about master study opportunities for SSE Riga students. That day the visitor was Zanda Indriksone, SSE Riga Alumni year 2006. She was talking about an opportunity of acquiring two master degrees in two years in two prestigious European universities with absolutely no tuition fee.

She said that she was adventurous person as she was standing in Copenhagen with only a suitcase and no idea where to live or go. Nevertheless, time at Copenhagen Business School was quite good. Zanda admitted that after SSE Riga all tasks there were easy to do. Main features of education were few lectures at the university and big amounts of assigned reading (selective SSE-style reading surely helped her). That, however, was not the most fun part of her education.

After a year in CBS every student has an opportunity to go on an exchange semester to one of CEMS universities. CEMS is an alliance of the best European business schools like HEC Paris, LSE and SSE. Ranking of this alliance as the First in the world in Masters in Management makes it seem very hard to get in. That was what majority of Danish students of CBS thought. That was also why for those who were not afraid it was way easier to get there. Formal requirements to get in CEMS are: knowledge of at least three languages (for many students of our school who know, for example, Latvian, Russian and English that should not be a problem) and ability to think out of the box, creativity, open mind and other qualities every student usually talks about in an interview. 

So when you are in and you are sent to some university (Zanda was at Louvain), the fun part starts. CEMS is first of all a community just like SSE Riga. All CEMS students are somehow privileged. They have different cultural activities organized for them. Every week there is a party for CEMS students, so even if you are fed up with them, it is very pleasant to know that you are always welcome. They are always together (this is a good way to meet new friends, partners or simply good people). Another interesting feature of CEMS education is “Skill seminars”. Four times during that semester you are going to some partner university to gain some knowledge there. Just imagine yourself studying in France, then going to study and ski to Sweden, then flying to Barcelona. And that is not the end of adventures; the graduation ceremony takes place in a different city every year, so you will have a very adventurous time there. 

Certainly, life in Europe is not very cheap. Zanda gave advice not to live in university dorms (as they are two times more expensive than a flat). For moving around the city it is better to buy a bicycle, however, if you are going to go by public transport, buy a ticket, because fines are very high there. It is sometimes useful to hitch-hike to save some money.

So, If you got used to cozy atmosphere here at SSE Riga, like adventures and traveling, want to study in a good place abroad, but don’t want to waste much money, one of CEMS universities is a place for you. 

Here is what a participant of the event Ilgvars N. Krauja told:

“ In my opinion, the meeting with Zanda Indriksone was absolutely worth it. The knowledge I gained in that session could not have been replaced by just examining official university web-sites. In addition to that, she gave us an insider's opinion, something more valuable than the information in university brochures. This is the very essence of the project - a graduate of our school sharing his/her experience and practicalities. We should make some use out of it!”

By Stas Filatov

Interview with Eiko Kivisik

On behalf of the Master Studies Project, we are publishing one of the first interviews given by SSER graduates. Meet Eiko Kivisik, an Estonian who is truly in love with the sky, and whose travelling experience seems to excel every SSER student’s. Eiko has devoted his life to piloting (what a rapid change after economics!); thus, he decided to continue his studies in Estonian Aviation Academy, at the same time having practice all over the world! So if you want to know more about the pilots’ “hierarchy”, and also find out how it feels to be in the world’s biggest plane’s cockpit, welcome aboard! Clear the way, retract the landing gear, and let’s get off the ground!

General information

Name: Eiko Kivisik

Country of origin: Estonia

Born: August 4, 1984 (25)

Graduated in: 2008

Last time noticed in: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Hello, Eiko! So, why have you decided to continue your studies in Estonian Aviation Academy? It has to be so different from SSE Riga…

Economics in SSER was a reasonable choice - the smart thing to do. And I don't regret a moment of it, because I met incredible people and spent 4 wonderful years in Riga! On the other hand, flying is something that pulls me so strongly that I can't resist it. So with the Aviation Academy, I was following my heart, not my mind.

I have to say that my program is not a Master's program, it is vocational higher education. Internationally recognized practical education and a commercial pilot's license – yes, but it is equalized only to Bachelor's level, not Master's.

Could you tell us the difference between a "Master's program" and "vocational higher education"?

In short: “Master's” is mostly theoretical studies, while “vocational” means practical - so you get a license/profession during the studies. In my example, I will get the international CPL (Commercial Pilot License) during my theoretical & practical studies.

Is there any Master degree for a pilot? 

There's no Master Pilot degree, but the people who have the Pilot's license & corresponding basic education can continue their studies. So, once you complete the basic education (the one that I am doing now is comparable to the Bachelor level - let's call it "Level1" for simplicity), you can continue with any other Master's program (which is compatible with “Level 1”) in the aviation education industry. I might go for a Master's degree one day, but I don't feel I need it now.

According to the Alumni database, you are currently working in Nokia Siemens Networks. That's rather different from piloting an airplane, isn't it?

Yes, it's like night and day – it might seem that there is no relation between the pilot studies and the job. Actually, there is some - I got interested in the job because it requires A LOT of traveling, and it is by plane, of course, so I'm enjoying that part 150%. To give an impression of what the job means - during the last 15 months I have worked in more than 10 countries on 3 continents, and spent more than 250 hours flying. That makes me environmental activists’ enemy #1, of course… :-) Actually, there is one great benefit that Aviation Academy gives me: whenever I board a plane, I show my pilot student ID and ask if I can visit the plane’s cockpit. So I have seen the inside part of the biggest passenger plane in the world, Airbus A380, and several others, including a huge Boeing 777-300ER. I have even enjoyed several flights just behind the captain's seat ;-)

Awesome! So what are your future plans?

In the nearest future I would try to arrange an elective course in one of Malaysian universities, the goal of which is to inspire discussions on motivation and personal growth. Regarding 2010 - probably working and traveling to Australia & New Zealand. Further future - sharing my life with a wonderful family and great friends, owning several successful businesses, contributing to society, and enjoying every minute of my life! Sorry if it seems too emotional - that's just because I'm rushing to leave to an airport again :-)

Anything you would like to say to SSER students?

Listen to your heart. Getting a Job is boring - get a Life instead!

By Vladimirs Zlotnikovs 

Project Coordinator Simona Tijunaityte