At the IBA, you tackle “real-life cases” for companies along the way, says Nikunj, who studied for an MBA

He thoroughly researched 8–9 countries before applying to the MBA program in Kolding.

“Denmark stood out from the rest because it’s safe and peaceful. And the country is pleasantly far away from India.”

That’s how Nikunj puts it, explaining that for him, it was about both gaining an internationally recognized qualification and stepping outside his comfort zone. Before coming to Denmark, he lived with his parents to help take care of them. The journey to Kolding marked the first time he had ever been outside India.

“It was incredibly hard at first, and I was plagued by guilt for no longer being there to support my parents in daily life. But my father reassured me over the phone that they would manage just fine without me”, says Nikunj, who arrived in Kolding by train from Copenhagen Airport in the early hours of 1 February 2024.

The flat had already been rented, and the IBA had arranged for an older student to meet him in Kolding. That student even lent Nikunj a mattress to sleep on for the first night, as the flat had no furniture.

“I remember it was raining. And since I didn’t own a raincoat at the time, I ended up freezing. That continued through the night on the borrowed mattress in an empty flat”, Nikunj recalls with a laugh.

He quickly received help furnishing the flat through New Start in Kolding, which supports new residents with second-hand furniture and a duvet. And he soon began enjoying his new student life at the IBA:

“People always talk about thinking outside the box. And that’s exactly what it’s been like for me after several years of working in India. Starting to study at the IBA and working on real-life cases has given me a much more nuanced understanding of running a business. It’s made me more strategic and analytical. Now, I can always see several leadership paths out of a challenge.”

Nikunj has tried to make the most of every opportunity the IBA offers. Everyone is ready to help – whether it’s lecturers, leaders or staff, he says.

“You can develop quickly here at the IBA, if you put in the effort. There’s lots of support and exciting opportunities. For example, you can visit companies with your lecturer and work on real assignments for them along the way”, he explains.

He hopes to put his new leadership skills to use in a Danish company. But no matter what happens, he says he’ll never regret his year and a half in Denmark:

“Even if I don’t succeed in finding a job here, my time as a student in Denmark has still been a success. Because I’ve learnt so much.”