Alumni archives
Welcome to the Deloitte International Student Business Forum Alumni page. The aim of this page is to help keep you connected to the Student Business Forum, Deloitte and your former colleagues.
Martine Sanders
University: Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
Country: Netherlands
How did you apply?
Via the website.
What was the highlight of the forum?
The forum was split into two parts, a social one - to get to know one another - and the professional one - namely to solve a real business case. The total mix of activities made the whole experience continuously interesting and exciting. So if I may, I would like to name two highlights. First of all, we went up in to the mountains of Lausanne to do some bonding activities. This whole day was just amazing. Imagine all the students from different nationalities coming together, playing different types of team games in the snow with a nice sunny mountain view! You really get to know your team members in order to get ready for the actual assignment. Which brings me to highlight two, - the rewarding experience of actually winning the business game with my team. After putting in two days of effort and presenting it to the Deloitte panel - we were awarded the winning prize at the final gala dinner!
What was the most important thing you learned from attending the ISBF forum?
The continuous personal feedback you get from your coaches makes you learn a lot about the way you act in a team and as an individual. The constant reflection throughout the week has helped me to realize what my strong and weak points are as a team member. Moreover, it is an insightful experience regarding real business life - how consultants work and finally, what Deloitte actually stands for.
In what ways do you think that the ISBF Forum developed your leadership skills?
As ISBF was such an international event, it taught me to work with a varied group of people with diverse backgrounds. It showed me how leaders must have intellectual capabilities as well as sensitive social skills. Furthermore, during the event you get the chance to meet so many inspirational leaders from the company itself, with their own experiences and vision on things. As they say, you learn and lead by example - this contributed.
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Jose Ignacio Gonzalez-Blanch
University: Universidad Carlos III
Country: Madrid, Spain
How did you apply?
I found out about it at the Career Fair at my university and then I applied through the website because I received a brochure at the Career Fair.
What was the highlight of the forum?
It's hard to say just one thing, because the whole experience itself was very unique. If I have to say one thing I would like to emphasize the organization of the event, from creating the teams in advance and giving us the possibility to get to know each other before the event right through to the team building activities that became essential to speed up the confidence level. Furthermore, the team setting for everything helped to make us feel like a real team the whole time.
What was the most important thing you learned from attending the ISBF forum?
I learned that good team work comes when everyone in the team is not only open to suggestions but brings something different to the team dynamics, without intending to impose anything on the other team members. Also the more diverse in backgrounds the better the team is.
In determining which routes you want to take to the top - in what ways do you think that the ISBF Forum helped you?
It gave me an insight of how working as a consultant could be like - working with people that you have just met who come from many different backgrounds and cultures and you have to make you sure you all listen and understand each other to reach an agreement within a limited time-frame. It also helped me to understand that a team is not about the team members considered individually, but it's about how they interact with each other so the final outcome is what really matters.
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Stefan Olsson
University: Lund University (Business & law)
Country: Sweden
How did you apply?
After meetings with Deloitte, I applied via the homepage and got contacted by Deloitte for an interview.
What was the highlight of the forum?
Meeting people from all over Europe, both students and professionals, was a great opportunity to make lots of international contacts, and of course, a whole day skiing in the Alps!
What was the most important thing you learned from attending the ISBF forum?
I learned to work in a team with people from different cultures and different knowledge. To work under pressure and stress to achieve great results. I also learned a lot about networking, how to mingle with people and make new contacts.
In what ways do you think that the ISBF Forum developed your leadership skills?
Part of the case challenge meant working within short time frames. This required the group to focus on how the work was being achieved. As a result, there were times when a leader had to step in and set the team in the right direction - sometimes this was me (and sometimes not!)
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Mario Peng
University: University of St. Gallen
Country: Switzerland
How did you apply?
The forum was advertised at the school and I was also told by a friend at Deloitte that this was a very good forum.
What was the highlight of the forum?
I especially liked the group activities on the snow and in the class room, as well as the networking possibilities afterwards. I also enjoyed interacting with very interesting and fun personalities at the forum.
What was the most important thing you learned from attending the ISBF forum?
Through the personality profile (Belbin) and the feedback of our two mentors, I became aware of my working style and learnt how to interact with different personalities in group activities or at work.
In what ways did the ISBF forum give you a better direction when it comes to career paths that Deloitte has to offer?
The mix of professionals at the ISBF is great and they really enjoy giving you information about their job. I actually decided at that forum what I want to do for work.
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Nathan Baines
University: University of Bath
Country: United Kingdom
How did you apply?
Online through Deloitte Careers website.
What was the highlight of the forum?
It was all amazing, but the team games on the snow were fantastic!
What was the most important thing you learned from attending the ISBF forum?
Setting clear goals and then working as a team to achieve them is the way forward!
In determining which routes you want to take to the top - in what ways do you think that the ISBF Forum helped you?
There were many Deloitte representatives from different departments who you could talk to and learn more about their specific jobs. This, along with the personal evaluation given to me by my team facilitators, has given me a much clearer idea of which career I would be suited to and what I need to do and improve to get there.
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Kate Teplinskaya
University: Kiev-Mohila Academy
Country: Ukraine
How you would describe the program in 1 sentence?
It was fantastic!
Why did you apply?
I applied to SBF to use the chance to challenge myself and to get experience, to work with talented people and to make friends with them, and surely, to travel and to have fun with teachers and participants.
What was the highlight of the forum?
There have been two highlights for me – 1) the case and our presentations and 2) the gala party. But, no doubt, all the events were very interesting, challenging and exciting.
What did you learn from attending?
I have learned the principles of work in the international team and environment. I received recommendations about dealing with business cases and got some practical advice. However, all in all, I benefited from the experience of others which contributed to my own experience.
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Joana Lencastre
University: Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Country: Portugal
How you would describe the program in 1 sentence?
SBF is an intense international experience and a unique opportunity to interact with talented and captivating people in a challenging learning environment.
Why did you apply?
I was contacted by Deloitte Portugal.
What was the highlight of the forum?
It is not easy to highlight just one single moment. I will always remember the energy and interaction during the case discussions. The strong team spirit and mutual trust when tasks had to be shared. The tension while working together on our final presentation. The first impressions during the welcome dinner. The ski in Les Diablerets! The awards night! The last sunny afternoon…saying goodbye. The ties that still remain beyond distances. Undoubtedly, Student Business Forum 2007 was a great and remarkable experience for everybody.
What did you learn from attending?
I learnt that there are so many different and stimulating activities that I could engage in! I definitely got a better sense on how to approach a business case through working on a real world business challenge. The key principle of focusing on what the client wants. The need to find balance between passion and clarity to consider other people's ideas. The importance of time constraints and developing excellent communication skills. I also learned about Deloitte's services and understood more about what people do on a day to day basis in the firm. Deloitte's openness and spirit of togetherness. How international carriers can be built. I learned that you do not really forget how to ski even if the last time is already very far away!
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Frode Johannesen
University: Norwegian School of Management (BI)
Country: Norway
How you would describe the program in 1 sentence?
SBF gives you as a student an unique opportunity to spend four/five days together with smart and interesting students form all over Europe as you will work in close interaction with representatives form Deloitte – a once in a lifetime opportunity!
Why did you apply?
1. The opportunity to work and meet with great students from all over Europe. This gives you a very good network of some of the best students across Europe, which is valuable both during my student period and after ending my grad studies. 2. Get to know Deloitte form the inside; meet the people that work there under different settings than just a business presentation at university.
What was the highlight of the forum?
For me the highlight of the forum was the final day, where we had the presentation of our solution to the challenge and the following dinner (and celebration of the victory). But I have to say, that the team experience was the most rewarding– I still have regular contact with them, and consider them as good friends!
What did you learn from attending?
For me, personally, the experience from working in an international team was a great learning experience. Furthermore, I appreciated the stay at IMD and the interesting sessions we had there – especially the speech by Stéphane Garelli from the WCC at IMD.
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Laura Gonzalez
University: Icade
Country: Madrid, Spain
How you would describe the program in 1 sentence?
An amazing team experience!!
Why did you apply?
I love travelling and meeting people from different backgrounds. Switzerland seemed to be a great place and the task was a challenge for me. In addition, getting to know the real consultant job and Deloitte is a chance not many people have. And more importantly…who doesn't want to spend 4 days in the best hotel in Lausanne?!
What was the highlight of the forum?
Definitely the team experience and the people. It was my first real team working experience, and having the chance to share it with really smart people was the best! I was really impressed by both the students that attended and the Deloitte people. They really took care of us and the organization of the event was impeccable. And my team won!! I can just be thankful to Deloitte for this amazing experience.
What did you learn from attending?
I learnt to work in team, under pressure and with limited resources! Exactly how real life is going to be! I made really good friends and I skied for the first time in my life!!
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