1,000 km from home – and not a second of regret

Leonie Kalina, MA, Recruitment Consultant, Storm2/Levin, Hamburg, Graduated in 2022

Studying in English, gaining international experience, and working on real business projects gave me the skills and confidence to start my career abroad.

After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Business Psychology in Cologne, Leonie Kalina faced a choice between continuing in psychology or pursuing a career in business. The Master’s program in International Business Management at CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences quickly became her preferred path. The opportunity to study entirely in English, combined with the international environment and practical focus of the program, convinced her to move from Cologne to Villach.

The international character of the program became one of the most valuable aspects of Leonie’s experience. With around 17 nationalities represented in her class, everyday interactions provided insights into different cultures and perspectives. Studying in English also helped her further develop her already strong language skills into professional business English—something that later proved particularly valuable when applying for jobs abroad.

Leonie especially appreciated the practical approach of the curriculum. Rather than learning theory in isolation, students worked on real business challenges and projects, supported by lecturers with professional backgrounds who could connect academic concepts with their own experience. Projects such as developing a market expansion plan for an Austrian shoe company and creating a complete business plan gave Leonie tangible examples of her skills that she could later discuss in job interviews.

The work-friendly structure of the IBM program also allowed Leonie to gain professional experience alongside her studies. She worked until the afternoon, financed her studies independently, and completed an internship during her final summer term. Together with her international study experience and practical project work, this helped her build a strong profile for entering the international job market.

Today, Leonie works as a Recruitment Consultant at Storm2/Levin in Hamburg, where she draws on the business, management, leadership, and communication skills developed during her studies. Looking back, she sees her time at CU Hochschule Kärnten as an experience that not only prepared her for her first professional steps, but also gave her the international perspective and practical skills to confidently pursue opportunities abroad.