The TalTech School of Business and Governance's Team Estonia was represented by Arina Kozik, Daniela Daudiša, Janne Emilie Lasson, and Anastasiia Neizhko. During the programme, the students explored the Estonian energy market, developed strategies through business simulations, and collaborated with international peers in a multicultural environment. In the following interview, Daniela Daudiša reflects on her experience and explains what made the programme both challenging and memorable.

What motivated you to take part in the intensive NordBiz course?

I was mainly motivated by the idea of spending a week in an international environment with students from different countries, which immediately caught my attention. I also liked that the course focused on real-world topics instead of only theory. Since I had never really explored the energy sector before, I thought it would be interesting to step outside of my comfort zone and try something completely different.

What were your expectations going into the programme, and were they met?

Before the programme started, I genuinely had no idea what to expect. I knew it would be intensive, but I didn’t realise just how much teamwork, discussion and problem-solving would be involved. I was expecting something more lecture-based, but the programme was much more interactive and engaging than I had imagined.

How would you describe the programme to future students? What did the programme entail and how was it structured?

The programme consisted of three main parts.

First, we researched the Estonian energy market and wrote a country report under the supervision of Marianne Kallaste, who was always supportive and ready to help us throughout the process.

The second part was an intensive week in Denmark, although the host country changes every year. During this week, we presented our reports, discussed our findings, and provided feedback to other groups.

The final part was a business simulation game. I won't go into too much detail about what we had to do in case the same topic comes up again next year, but I will say that it really tested our resilience, communication skills, and ability to work under pressure and it was a lot of fun! 

Besides the academic part, there were also many social and cultural activities, such as the international dinner where each country brought traditional food, sightseeing and activities organized by local students.

What project or solution did your team develop during the programme?

During the programme, our team wrote a report about the Estonian energy market, focusing on current challenges and future developments. During the simulation game, we worked on developing strategies and making decisions in response to changing market conditions and unexpected challenges.

What was the most valuable part of the experience for you?

The most valuable part of the experience for me was definitely the people I met. Getting to know students from different countries and cultures made the whole experience much more memorable.

Was there a particular activity, simulation or discussion that stood out for you? Why? 

One activity that really stood out to me was Michael Nørager's lecture on resilience. Unfortunately, we arrived around 30 minutes late, but I was immediately engaged by the lecture. He explained the topic so clearly and interestingly that, even at 8 am, I was fully focused and genuinely interested in what he was saying. What I liked most was that the lecture wasn't just theoretical; he used real-life examples and discussions that made the topic relatable and easy to understand.

Why would you recommend this programme to future students?

I would recommend it because it offers a unique combination of academic learning, practical experience and building international connections. It helps students step out of their comfort zones, improve soft skills such as teamwork and communication and gain experience working in multicultural environments. It is also a great opportunity to travel and create fun memories.

If someone is interested in participating now, where or how should they start?

My advice would be to watch for the NordBiz application announcement and simply go for it. You do not need to know everything beforehand, the programme is all about learning through experience!

Would you like to take part in next year's programme? Then come and study International Business Administration!
Check out our programme and apply today