TEKO Design + Business

My name is Maria (22) and I am at second semester, international sales at TEKO. I come from Iceland and moved over to Denmark in August last year to begin my studies here at TEKO.The reason for me choosing TEKO was because one of my teachers back home recommended the school highly. I have a small background in sociology and fashion design and TEKO combined both, which was very convenient for me, because I was able to study two of my favorite subjects at one time.

When I came to TEKO in August it was the first time I ever saw the school. The only thing that I had done was doing an interview through phone and read about TEKO on their web page. Therefore I was a little bit nervous before arriving, but there really was no need to. As I am in the international class there are student's from all over the world e.g. China, Brazil, Macedonia, England and of course Denmark as well. I soon got very good friends within the class and also outside the classroom as I am in the students council and live at a dormitory where there are people from all over the world.

The social life is very colorful and there is always something going on in connection with TEKO, the students' village and the dormitory. The activities at TEKO are for example Tuesday-cafes, theme parties, trips to fares plus there is always something going on at the school in which you can participate. As an example; last semester the graduation students set up a huge fashion show where I was asked to be assistant coordinator. There where 9 shows and of those shows 2 where VIP ones where people from the Danish fashion industry where invited. It was great fun and I got to know many students from the other semesters. Furthermore I also learnt a lot by participating in this event, so as you can see there is always something to do after school and in the weekends.

As I said before I am studying sales which is mostly marketing, supply chain management and studies of different culture along with other subjects. We both do regular classes and group projects where we are mixed up with the other classes. For me it is good because I am more of a group project person than one that can sit every day and listen to lectures. What I also think is an advantage is that no week is the same so the months pass very quickly, I feel like I just arrived two months ago when it really is half a year!!

About being a foreign student in international class I think that there are definitely more upsides than downsides. For me it was a bit tricky to begin to talk and think in English every day as my mother tongue is Icelandic. When my parents call me I even sometimes think that it would be easier to talk in English because I use it much more often than my own language. The experience of being in a class with foreign student is also great as I get to know different perspectives from people with different cultural background. This I think is great especially because I am studying sales, which is a subject that requires international experience.

I've been away from home now for 10 months (I lived in England for 3 months before coming here) but I can't really say that I have been homesick since leaving. It is a long way to go back home to Iceland as it is placed in the middle of the north Atlantic sea so I don't really have the opportunity to take a short trip home when I want to. But I went home over Christmas to be with my family and friends which was very nice. I would rather see it as a plus to be on the continent because it has given me the opportunity to travel more!
For example I just went to Holland 3 weeks ago over a weekend, something that I would never have done back home! For me staying here is a choice, not an obligation, so I really don't want to waist my time in feeling sorry when there is so many fun things to do and see. Even though I miss my family from time to time I have learnt that my friends here have become my family, because they also come from other countries and 'need' a family has well!

I hope this gives you a little insight into the life here in TEKO.