Four months in – and better than I imagined

Sena Karaduman, Türkiye, Class of 2025

I had my sights set on the IBM program for years—and after four months, I can proudly say that I couldn’t have made a better decision.

Sena Karaduman first set her sights on the Master’s program in International Business Management at CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences during her undergraduate studies in International Trade and Management. After gaining professional experience, she realized that her career ambitions required a more global and strategic perspective. The IBM curriculum, international faculty, and accessible learning environment matched exactly what she had been looking for in a modern international master’s program.

Just four months into her studies, Sena was already seeing that the reality lived up to her expectations. Each module combines academic content with interactive learning formats, teamwork, business labs, discussions, and excursions. Current developments such as artificial intelligence and its impact on global business are also integrated into the curriculum, creating a direct connection between what students learn and the challenges businesses are facing today.

Working with classmates from different cultural backgrounds has been another highlight for Sena. Group projects require students to learn when to lead, when to listen, and when to challenge ideas—while also discovering how differently people can approach the same problem. For Sena, these experiences are strengthening her communication skills, professional confidence, and ability to think from a truly global perspective.

The opportunity to work alongside her studies adds another important dimension. The job-friendly structure allows students to continue gaining professional experience while developing their academic and managerial skills. Insights and experiences shared by professors with professional backgrounds further help Sena broaden her understanding of international business.

She has also quickly grown fond of Villach. What initially appears to be a small and quiet town soon becomes a welcoming place where familiar faces, short distances, and a relaxed atmosphere make it easy to feel at home. For Sena, the combination of an international study environment, supportive professors, practical learning, and life in Villach has made IBM an exceptionally rewarding experience—and she is excited to see where the journey takes her next.