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At the end of April, a group of almost 40 participants from EADA’s pre-experience finance masters Master in Finance, Master in Accounting and Financial Management and Master en Finanzas - Bilingüe) travelled to Frankfurt for an intensive two-day business trip. Participants had the opportunity to meet senior executives from a number of leading financial institutions. 

On Thursday, April 27, the group made its first stop at Deutsche Bank, where they visited the Corporate & Investment Bank Division. The visit included a presentation about FX Risk Management by Mr Matthias Meling as well as a look on the worldwide economic forecast by Mr Jochen Moebert. Next on the agenda was a bit of tourism, as participants enjoyed panoramic views of the city from the Maintower Skyscrapter, one of the main tourist attractions of the city. In the evening, local alumni were invited to a group dinner.

EADA's participants visited a wide number of leading financial institutions, such as the Deutsche Bank or the European Central Bank

The second day began at the European Central Bank (ECB), the financial decision-making capital of the EU. Participants had the chance to ask Communications Assistant for Outreach Mr Marton Bekker gave his take on current economic trends followed by a Q & A session. 

After lunch, the group visited KPMG, located in The Squaire, Germany’s largest office building. There participants met partner Carsten Jaekel, who shared a bit about his career and his professional path within the company. He also covered the different programmes that KPMG uses to evaluate candidates, as well as the possibility of internships and full time positions.

Networking in the financial hub of Europe

According to Jaume Bonet, director of the pre-experience Finance masters, Frankfrut provided professional as well as personal opportunities for development. “It was an excellent opportunity for teambuilding among the participants, fostering networking while visiting one of the financial hubs of Europe,” he said. “Students could ask questions to senior executives at several leading financial institutions, and, at the same time, apply what they had learned in class. They also finished the trip with a better understanding of the job opportunities available to them after graduation”.

International Master in Finance participant Mauricio Verástegui fonriemd that the take aways from the trip were two-fold. “It was a great experience in terms of getting to know the industry as well as a chance to spend some quality time with my classmates and directors,” he said. The multiple company visits and conferences gave him “an idea of what to expect when looking for a job in the finance area, whether in consulting, investment banking or trading”. For Mauricio, the highlight of his trip was the visit to the ECB: “Having the opportunity to see the institution that regulates the European economy from the inside was amazing; and sitting in the same Mario Draghi’s seat wasn’t bad either!”.

Swedish participant Ida Albage –Master in Finance– confirms that the trip was unforgettable. “Being able to see the theory we learned at EADA applied in real life was amazing,” she said. “The visit to the stock exchange showed me how this great intermediary interacts on a daily basis. The dinner together with the whole group was so particularly special, as we are in the last trimester of the programme”.

International Master in Accounting and Financial Management participant Ornela Biberaj agrees that the visits to top financial institutions provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For Ornela, visiting the ECB was a definite highlight: “The country that I am from –Albania– is not yet a member of the EU, and the visit made me hope to see that change one day, and to join the team responsible for the Euro transition at home,” she said. Ornela also mentions KPMG as a high point of the trip. “The visit gave me a broader view of how the company functions and I now plan on applying for a position there after graduation,” she confirmed.