What SPACE Graduates say
Melissa Delft, KATHO - KU Leuven, Kortrijk (BE), second best European student SPACE Eurolanguages SPACE diploma 2008
SPACE, where does it stand for? Or the more, what do you immediately think about? The universe, wideness,...? Well, I must admit, since I participated to the European Network for Business Studies and Languages (SPACE) exam, I associate the above mentioned abbreviation with the given possibility to broaden your knowledge in order to prepare yourself to tackle the challenge of professional life.
During the 2-day exam A day at the office you have to prove that your written and oral skills in several languages, accompanied by an excellent IT-knowledge, are up to standard to enter business life in the big world out there.
Every student knows the "ordinary" exams, but SPACE distinguishes by creativity, initiative and flexibility. The answer to the question is not yes or no, instead you can elaborate your own views within a given context. You can show, written as well as oral, how your point of view can enrich a project within a virtual company.
The SPACE concept can be summarized in the following principle. Every participant gets the same basic information, after which participants get the personal space to work out a strong project which eventually will be a reflection of their own personality. Just to prove how one single person, how you can make the difference!
To end, I only have one recommendation to all of you. Take part in the SPACE-exams and prove to be an all-round professional person who distinguishes by holding a SPACE-certification. I am sure the professional world will open its doors for you!
Bozena Pavkovska from Vilnius College of Higher Education (LT) - best European student SPACE HTM diploma 2007:
I took the SPACE HTM exams (Hospitality and Tourism Management) as an opportunity to help me progress in the future. The prize means a lot as it shows my hard work paid off. It was my dream to achieve something big in life and I have lived my dream. I look forward to more challenges in the future as this result has motivated me a lot.
The exams and the results I achieved could help me in applying for a Masters/PHD as I will hold a competitive advantage since I were "one of the best in Europe". My achievement and experience will help my friends, my classmates and family members to see that everything is possible. I will share whatever I have learnt with people around me by passing on my knowledge and experience.
The result "Best Student in Europe in the field of HTM" came as a complete surprise, since I was not expecting such a big luck. This boosted my overall confidence in myself and now I know what I am capable of.
Birgit Schreurs, Provinciale Hogeschool Limburg, Hasselt (BE), 2006:
I became very interested in this project when it was first introduced to us in the first year.
What was nice about the project is that you learn what it means to work in a company, to work under pressure and to finish your tasks in a limited time. It was an opportune chance to practise my language and presentation skills. Also my knowledge of Office XP came in very handy. The entire project was a combination of all these factors. I think the school should include these tasks more and more in the education programme. It gives the teachers a clear view of what students can do, how they actually manage to work under pressure and what they could contribute to a company in their further professional. I feel very fortunate that I could participate in the SPACE Exams and I’m also very happy that I succeeded.
Wim Maervoet from Kessel (Nijlen) of Plantijn University College Antwerp (BE), best European student SPACE Eurotourism Diploma 2006:
I participated in the SPACE Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) exam organised by the SPACE network to match myself against other students (shortly I will graduate in Hotel Management at Plantijn University College in Antwerp). This exam is the same in all SPACE associated European countries and exists among other things of a case study. The assignment of this year was to put up a planning for a group of business tourists who travel to Norway for a three-day seminar. It also included a calculation of the cost price and a planning for their partners. For this we got six hours time. Two days later we had to defend our work before a jury.
Now that I have received, besides my award for the best foreign placement of Plantijn University College, also a special "SPACE qualification" (a diploma, certificate and 200 euros) I think I am certainly ready for the national and international labour market.
Vera Sacaveca, BA School of Business and Finance, Riga (LV), best European student SPACE Eurobusiness Diploma 2006:
Eurobusiness Exam was a great experience for me. I would like to mention the most useful aspects of the exam:
- It was interesting
- It had real and practical assignments and the assessment was based on studentÂ’s ability to deal with practical situations and find the best solutions
- The possibility to use some additional material if necessary
- During preparatory time there was a possibility to find lots of new information which was used later in the written assignment
- ExaminersÂ’ positive and encouraging attitude during the interviews
I would like to mention some negative aspects, such as:
- Too little time for written assignment
- Some irrelevant information and old data in the case
I am very thankful to the SPACE international association and BA School of Business and Finance for the opportunity to take the SPACE Eurobusiness Exams.
Casper Lindenmayer and Thomas Raaber from NOEA Institute of Applied Management, Aalborg (DK), SPACE graduates in 2003:
We decided that taking the SPACE Eurobusiness Diploma while we studied to become Hospitality Managers would improve our chances for a successful international career. The exam system is good and it has been fun to participate.