“Budapest Will Always Have a Special Place in My Heart” – Selim Baykiz on His Corvinus MBA Experience
Why did you choose Hungary and the Corvinus International MBA programme?
I was very impressed by Budapest and the university when I first came to Hungary. The city immediately made a strong impression on me, and I always felt that I should find a way to return. I have visited several countries since then, but Budapest has always held a special place in my heart.
I eventually found the opportunity to return through the Corvinus MBA programme. I also considered other programmes, but the quality of the teachers and the overall experience at Corvinus convinced me. I really enjoyed studying there. My wife and I were both students in the same MBA cohort, which made the experience even more special for us. Although we later moved to Germany because of her career, we still often talk about our time in Budapest and the university. We are planning to visit Budapest again soon, and perhaps one day we will return.
What do you consider the greatest strengths of the MBA programme?
The quality and experience of the faculty were among the programme’s greatest strengths. We had the opportunity to learn from experts with extensive experience in their fields, including senior executives and professionals working in major companies.
What I particularly appreciated was that the programme went beyond theoretical knowledge. We were encouraged to participate actively, work on projects and present our ideas. We did not simply attend classes, listen to lectures and leave. We were expected to engage with the material and apply what we learned to real-life business situations.
Was there a particularly challenging aspect of the programme?
The workload was certainly challenging. I was working while studying full-time, and in addition to the courses, I also had to write my thesis. Balancing all these responsibilities required a significant amount of effort.
At the same time, I am very happy that I completed the programme. Looking back, I enjoyed the experience so much that, if I had the opportunity, I would do it again. The culture, the university, the location and the atmosphere of Budapest all contributed to making the experience memorable. The events organised by the programme also created lasting memories, which my wife and I still talk about today.
How did the international environment influence your way of thinking?
The international cohort was extremely valuable. During the programme, I worked with people from many different cultural backgrounds, including colleagues from North Africa, the Middle East and other regions of the world.
Working on projects with people from different cultures taught me to look at problems from different perspectives and to understand that there is not always one single way of approaching a situation. The programme helped me better understand how cultural differences can influence communication, teamwork and leadership. This international perspective continues to be useful in my career today.
Who would you recommend the Corvinus International MBA programme to?
I would recommend it to professionals who already have several years of work experience. In my opinion, three to five years of professional experience is an ideal background for the programme. At that point, students already have practical knowledge and can connect the theory they learn during the MBA with their own professional experience.
I would not necessarily recommend an MBA immediately after graduation. It is more valuable to first gain experience in the workplace and then return to university to deepen one’s theoretical knowledge. For professionals with significantly more experience, an Executive MBA may be more suitable. For those with around three to five years of experience, however, I believe the Corvinus International MBA can be an excellent next step.
