Online education helped Csilla fulfill her big dream

Shortly after Hungarian Csilla Baksay Rasmussen moved to Denmark, she began studying to become a Marketing Manager while simultaneously learning the Danish language. This was in the early 2000s. After her final exam, she got a full-time job, and with a family of six, there wasn’t time to complete the bachelor’s degree she was truly passionate about.

Since then, the dream has been delayed for several years. But this summer, it has finally been fulfilled.

For Csilla, the solution was to pursue an online bachelor’s degree in International Business at the International Business Academy (IBA) in Kolding. She completed her degree from home on her computer, without having to attend classes at specific times. Group work also took place in digital meeting rooms. Altogether, this provided the extra flexibility that she needed.

– For me, online education turned out to be a really positive experience. Of course, there’s always a deadline ahead that you have to meet. But we always had a week to submit assignments, so there was plenty of opportunity to plan around other commitments, Csilla says.

Several times, the family had to enjoy a movie without Csilla, and she admits that she also had to decline some invitations along the way. However, these were practical challenges that she quickly adapted to. A bigger challenge, however, was the analytical and theoretical language required for the assignments. Fortunately, there was excellent support available from Leeds Beckett University, which offers the program in collaboration with the IBA.

– When you work every day, you develop a very practical approach to your tasks, and over time, you lose the academic way of thinking. So, you have to relearn that when you start studying again. Here, I can highly recommend using the online library at Leeds Beckett University because it is incredibly helpful. Their digital platform is very easy to navigate, and you can find answers to everything you need, says Csilla.

A great personal victory

In her daily work, she is employed as a Customer Supporter & Project Coordinator at Kentaur, a company that supplies workwear to hotels, restaurants, and the health care industry, among others. The company is located in Fredericia. Previously, she has worked in market support in diverse industries, such as the production of windows and propellers for sailboats.

Her current employer covered the expenses for her final bachelor project, but Csilla has otherwise paid for the courses she took at IBA herself. Now, she hopes the company will see a return on its investment by assigning her tasks where her new skills will be useful. Meanwhile, she is planning to pursue even more education at the IBA.

– For me, earning my bachelor’s degree has been a great personal victory, and it’s also a relief that it’s completed. But I have also grown professionally and as a person. In fact, studying has been so inspiring that I’m eager to learn even more, she says with a smile.