BSB Alumni Luca shares Insights about University Life

We are very excited to welcome our alumni, Luca Coban, back in school to share interesting insights about life after BSB with our senior students. 
(See above photo Luca at the BSB Shunyi Class of 2020 Graduation Ceremony)

Luca studied at BSB for 8 years. After he graduated in 2020, he took a gap year to do civil service in Germany, as a teacher for migrant students. In September 2021, he started to study for his Bachelor of Hospitality Management degree at Hotelschool The Hague in the Netherlands, one of the most recognised hospitality schools in the industry.  

Left: Hotelschool the Hague - Practical Education in the Kitchen
Right: Travelling with classmates in Lisbon, Portugal

He has enjoyed an internship at the Rosewood Hotel Group in London, U.K. in the summer of 2022 as part of his university course. He is now on track to complete his bachelor's degree while writing his thesis and interning at BMW, Munich. Luca commented that it has been a truly exciting journey, and he has been accepted by the Erasmus University in Rotterdam to start his Master's Degree in Strategic Management this coming school year.

Left: Drinks with friends around the Hague 
Right: Hotelschool the Hague - Practical Education in  Management

This was a wonderful opportunity for our senior students to hear first-hand about life at university – choosing the right major, the application process, living and studying abroad, how to survive the first year of university, and successful internship experiences. The talk encouraged a lot of lively discussions, and students enjoyed the chance to connect with our alumni. 

Luca sharing his experiences with current BSB students

Interview with Luca 

What do you think is special about BSB? 
"BSB really was special because it felt like a home away from home to me. Even coming back after so many years I was welcomed with open arms and still saw so many familiar faces. I got to opportunity to try everything in a supportive environment, and I really treasured that." 

Luca catching up with his Teachers, and checking out new facilities at BSB with his mother Mrs. Coban, and Jan Kindich, who is also an alumni of BSB.

How has studying at BSB helped you adapt to university life?  
"Going to BSB has familiarized me in getting along with people from all over the world, different cultures and communities. It felt almost natural coming into university where students are also coming from many different places. The extra-curricular activities that I participated at BSB also taught me to just go for it and try something new!"

Luca as BSB Shunyi's Student Ambassador at the 2019 NAE-UNICEF Summit in New York

How did participating in after-school activities at BSB helped you with your academic success and personal growth? 
"Not only does participating in many after school activities give your applications a great boost but it also makes you a more well-rounded person. I managed to learn where my interests really are, what I like and even what I maybe prefer to avoid. You get to do so many crazy things you may never get the chance to do again and they're memories I do really treasure, so I always say to just go for it!"

Luca participated in many Model United Nations Conferences

Top: Luca in BSB School productions "Oliver" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
Bottom: Year 13 expedition to Switzerland

Please tell us about what you've learnt from your internship experiences
"Doing an internship has been incredibly valuable to me. I have learnt about the combination of theory (learnt in the classroom) and real-life learning, which you gain only from working in the field. You can see that sometimes things are just different in the industry than they are in theory. Gaining insights into the every-day life of an industry is incredibly important when making decisions about your future." 

Luca - Internship at the Rosewood Hotel Group in London

Any advice for Year 12 & 13 on how to select their university and make a good application?
"Make sure you know what you're signing up for, and you have a genuine passion for it; then studying will truly be enjoyable and fun. When you apply, know the curriculum, what courses you will take, and show what makes you unique. Especially when more and more people use AI tools for applications, being original and showcasing who you truly are will make you stand out!"

Luca (1st left) and 3 other BSB classmates raised money for a new kindergarten building in a local village school in Myanmar, and taught English for a week there.

We can see an example in Luca of how BSB offers a transformational education to our students, which focuses not only on ensuring academic success but also on inspiring students to positively impact their individual communities and the world at large. All these experiences equipped our students with the skills necessary to succeed in their university life and careers, preparing them to become leaders in an ever-changing world. 

Thank you Luca for coming back to your alma mater. We wish you all the best in your master's degree at Erasmus University in Rotterdam this coming school year!  

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