Ekbladet 03/24

The Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics student association, HHUS is a volunteer association for all students at the Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics. We are a non-political party, non-union, and non-religious association, with the purpose of handling and supporting our members’ interests. We work towards good contact between our members, our school, and businesses.

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CONTENTS EDITOR IN CHIEF COLUMN Explore the theme

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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

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PRINCIPAL’S COLUMN

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HEAD & VICE HEAD OF MARKETING Advice 101

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RICKARD’S COLUMN

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HHUS MERCH Scan QR

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CROSSWORD

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BLOSSOM FROM YOUR PAST Leisure read

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HECTOR’S COLUMN Finance

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ROOKIES ON INSPARKEN

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ALUMNI BOARD INTERVIEWS

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INSPARKEN GROUPS Pictures

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CAPTURE THE FLAG Pictures

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PINK PARTY Pictures

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Test yourself

Mahi Chottani Editor in chief

Lisa Sånemyr President HHUS

Mats Bergman Dean USBE

Linnea Berneryd Head of Marketing HHUS

Rickard Lindberg

Hector Rosenzweig

Career center

Head of Finance HHUS

Madison Quigley Vice Head of Education HHUS

Maja Hallgren Vice Head of Marketing HHUS

SPECIAL THANKS Writers Rookies:

Saga Fors Madeleine Wennström Matilda Johansson Klas

Alumni:

My Persson Simon Lindgren Fredrik Wilhelmsson Piotr Pokrasen Amalia Hägglund Malin Landfeldt

EDITOR IN CHIEF'S NOTE As I sit down to reflect on academic life, I’m reminded of how much our personal journeys shape our time here. Each of us arrives with unique backgrounds, cultures, and traditions that define us. In this diverse environment, we begin to see the value of our roots, even as we embrace new paths and experiences.

Mahi Chottani Editor in Chief HHUS Ekbladet@hhus.se

University is a time of transitions, filled with fresh beginnings and moments of uncertainty. Whether it's stepping into a new class, making new friends, or joining a club, these small but brave acts help us grow.

Each challenge, whether academic or personal, tests our limits and shapes our perspective. It’s through these experiences that we become more resilient, learning how to navigate the world and find our place in it.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of this journey is the friendships we form along the way.

University gives us the chance to connect with people from different walks of life. We get to hear their stories, learn about their traditions, and share pieces of ourselves in return.

These moments of connection are more than just social; they help us expand our understanding of the world and build bonds that can last a lifetime.

But university life is not just about holding on to the past. It’s about blending where we come from with where we’re going. Many of us find ourselves rethinking traditions, combining old ways with new experiences, and creating something that feels uniquely ours. This process of reinvention doesn’t just enrich us individually, but it adds to the vibrant community we’re all part of.

As you read this, take a moment to think about your own journey. How has your background shaped the way you navigate this space? What friendships, experiences, or lessons stand out to you? Let’s celebrate the community we’ve built together—one that honours where we’ve come from while embracing the unknown.

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HHUS Handelshögskolan i Umeå. Studentföreningen. @epuben @hhus.sports @hhus.finance @hhus.business linktr.ee/hhus

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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN As the new semester begins, the halls of Umeå School of Business, Economics, and Statistics come alive with a mix of familiar faces and new ones. Whether you're starting your university journey or continuing it, this time of year brings with it a sense of possibility and growth, and at HHUS, we're excited to welcome you all!

Lisa Sånemyr SMP, 7th semester president@hhus.se

The theme of Roots and Rebirth perfectly captures where we are as an association. Founded in 1997 through the merger of Umekon and Umenek, HHUS has deep roots in the student life of Umeå. Over the years, E-Puben has become a core part of that experience, serving as a gathering place for 40 years. Since then, 243 students have become members of the HHUS Board and 1620 members have been actively engaged in the association. Their engagement has shaped HHUS and ensured that we stay grounded in tradition, as we continue to grow and evolve.

As a new or returning student, you're now part of a community that includes over 18,900 members who have been a part of HHUS since its founding.

But as much as we honor our roots, every new school year brings the opportunity for a rebirth. This year, HHUS will see the election of nine new board members and the recruitment of over 60 roles within the association. Each of you, whether a new or returning student, has the chance to get involved and shape the future of HHUS. With a wide variety of activities ahead—from networking to social gatherings where you’ll form lasting friendships—the opportunities for personal and professional growth are endless. For those of you just starting out, this is a chance to gain valuable experience while building on the rich history of HHUS. Get involved in our events, join our committees, candidate for the election or attend E-Puben.

HHUS is a community that supports your growth both personally and academically.

As president, and as an old hen I’ve seen how each new group of students brings something unique to HHUS, helping to shape the future while respecting the traditions that ground us.

Your roots, the experiences and values that brought you here, are important, but this time at university is also a chance for reinvention and discovery. It’s an opportunity to challenge yourself, take on new responsibilities, and grow in ways you might not have expected.

So, as we move into this new academic year, let’s honor the foundation we stand on while embracing the fresh starts and opportunities that lie ahead.

Welcome to the HHUS family —I can’t wait to see how we’ll grow together this year!

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PRINCIPAL’S COLUMN Mats Bergman Principal USBE 2024 mats.bergman@umu.se

De moderna universitetens rötter sträcker sig lång tillbaka i tiden. Universitetet i Bologna, grundat 1088, brukar ofta kallas det första universitetet även om organiserad undervisning om religion och annat i förekommit i klosterskolor och madrasas många hundra år tidigare. I Bologna, där begreppet universitet myntades, var juridik inledningsvis det viktigaste ämnet.

Modellen spreds i det medeltida Europa till exempelvis Paris, Oxford och Cambridge och nådde Sverige när Uppsala universitet grundades 1477. Viktiga steg mot det moderna universitetet togs i Tyskland i början av 1800-talet när Humboldt verkade för att universiteten skulle förena forskning och undervisning, för principer om akademisk frihet och bildning och för att kombinera konst och vetenskap. Genom frihet att välja väg och en undervisning som bygger på tankens frihet, logik, förnuft och empiri kan studenterna bli självständiga och ansvarstagande, menade Humboldt. Den tyska universitetsmodellen blev stilbildande för många av världens stora bredduniversitet, inklusive de svenska. Även om Umeå universitet i jämförelse är ungt går rötterna alltså långt tillbaka i tiden. Universitetet som organisationsform, med sin speciella blandning av kollegialitet och individuellt entreprenörskap, har visat sig vara en modell som fortfarande fungerar väl efter nästan tusen år.De senaste 60 åren har universiteten i Sverige och många andra länder gått från att utbilda ett litet fåtal till att vara ett naturligt steg på vägen för ungefär hälften av alla. Umeå universitet grundades, 1965, mitt i en period när den högre utbildningen växte snabbt. Antalet studenter mer en sexdubblades mellan 1950 och 1970. År 1965 fanns det knappt 70 000 studenter i hela Sverige; idag har bara Umeå universitet 38 000 studenter.

En viktig fråga för ett universitet är vilka utbildningar som ska ges och hur många studenter som ska antas till varje utbildning. När universiteten gått från elitskolor till breddutbildning har principerna behövt anpassas, men de har också anpassats efter tidens vindar. Från 1950-talet och fram till 1977 var huvudprincipen att alla antogs till sitt förstahandsval och att universiteten fick så mycket pengar de tyckte de behövde för utbildningen. En bra modell, både för universiteten och studenterna! (För vissa utbildningar, exempelvis läkarutbildningen, var dock antalet platser begränsat.)

Men när antalet studenter växte så kraftigt blev denna modell alltför dyr och en sorts planekonomi infördes alltså 1977. Antalet studieplatser bestämdes av utbildningsdepartementet utifrån prognoser över arbetsmarknadens behov. År 1993 var det dags för en ny reform. Universiteten fick mandat att själva – det vill säga ledningen tillsammans med lärarna – bestämma vilka utbildningar som skulle finnas och antalet studieplatser. Givetvis inom ramen för en tilldelad budget men också i kombination med en ”studentpeng”: ett visst antal kronor för varje student som registrerar sig och ett visst antal kronor per student som klarar kurserna. Om ”produktionen” inte motsvarar budgeten så minskar de tilldelade pengarna proportionellt.

Under Umeå universitets livstid har vi alltså gått från kundstyrning till planekonomi till en styrmodell med inslag både av professions- och marknadsstyrning. Universitets rötter går långt tillbaka i tiden och under århundradena har det skapats en stark akademisk tradition som förhoppningsvis står stadig när trenderna blåser åt olika håll. Men samtidigt påverkas universitetet av sin samtid, också när det gäller grundläggande styrmodeller. Rötterna går djupt men ibland svajar trädet i vinden.

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23-YEAR-OLDS

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By: Linnea Berneryd & Maja Hallgren

Insparken has come to an end, and as a rookie you are now on your own. It was not too long ago we were in your shoes, now two years later (feels more like a decade) we stand here and are living our best life. If you ask us, we (may) have cracked the code on how to survive the university in Umeå, so here is two 23-year-olds guide on how to do it! You are probably wondering who the hell we are (not really?), so let's introduce ourselves.

My name is Maja, 23 year old from Norrköping. I moved here, not knowing anyone, with my boyfriend. And my friend is…

Who? Me?

Yes, who else is writing in this document as we speak??!

oh, I'm Linnea, a 23 year old from Stockholm. I moved here without knowing anyone, without accommodation or a boyfriend :( Oh god, let's begin! Our first year we were in the same faddergroup, our third day (aka Amazing race) I asked Linnea to come to my hotel room and color my hair pink.

And the rest is history! 2 years filled with memorable (and not so memorable) moments.

As you hear, we know what we are doing (kind of) so here comes some solid advice but take them with a pinch of salt.

A big one. Here we go!

1. Our first advice, take a leap and embrace

new experiences! It might sound like a cliche (and it most definitely is). But what we mean is to say yes to EVERYTHING basically.

Our rookie year we went to almost every event possible, which led to us finding out what we like or not. Unfortunately we liked everything, so now we are event junkies.

Linnea Berneryd Head of Marketing HHUS head.marketing@hhus.se

But because of that we got to know our classmates beyond school related stuff, and most importantly we got to know people beyond our class.

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2. Second advice is about TentaP, we all do have a

hate-love-relationship to TentaP. We all do hate it because we really do need to study to make it through the exam, but we have to admit it is kind of cozy to be in school during the weekend eating candy and treating yourself (unna dig) a picadeli salad (not sponsored, but please do!).

Our best tips to survive TentaP (except eating candy and buying salads) is to have a solid time of non tenta stuff. We usually drink wine, non alcoholic of course ;), but it is (as always) optional.

We also talk, between the sips.

Maja Hallgren Vice Head of Marketing HHUS vice.marketing@hhus.se

What we mean is to take a break, because we noticed that at one point our brains get saturated with information. Nothing goes in, and nothing goes out! At that point you can most definitely (it's for the best!) take a long, well deserved break.

The following advice is good for everyone and does not only apply to students.

3. LAYERING! Layering is essential for everyone to survive the winter in Umeå, take it from two girls from the south, you will not survive if you do not know how to layer your clothes. If you do not look like a kindergarten teacher playing in the snow, you are not doing it right!

4. Our fourth advice, and maybe the most important. EPP’s (efter plugg pub) are sacred!

We know this is one of the most valuable times of the week, you can literally buy liquid gold. This is the best time to play games and talk with your friends (and non friends, because unfortunately they are also welcome), no more is needed to say so let’s continue with the next advice.

5. Our personal favorite event, pre party marathon, aka PPM!! This is a must to attend to

6.

survive the university in Umeå. Why is this so great you may ask? Well, anything can happen. Just think about it, meeting 26 new people dressed up in something messed up during one evening. It does not get any better than that. We can guarantee that you will meet friends that you keep for the rest of your years at university.

Last advice is a short one. Do not be scared to go into the lounge, we do not bite! During our rookie year the thought about going in the lounge was terrifying. But now we are there on a daily basis and it is the perfect time to chit chat with everyone and have one (or five) cups of coffee. The old folks (us) love to talk and give advice!

That is everything for us (for this time), if you have come this far we hope you feel a bit wiser and excited for what's to come. You have many good years left (unlike us), please enjoy. If you want more advice, see you in the lounge!

Advice | 101

Thank you for reading!

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RICKARD’S COLUMN “A bit of this and that from a campus resource perspective mainly (in career center terms)” Alumni and guests from the outside -different ways to interact but perhaps all rewarding

Rickard Lindberg Career Center USBE Rickard.Lindberg@umu.se

Hopefully when you read this we are closing in on upcoming events that explore the hybrid format as an additional way to create interactions besides the campus visits from guest.

This autumn, some of you in class have already met this form of interaction, i.e. that we meet in a lecture hall but drive dialogue with a guest via teams/zoom.

We couldn’t have talked to the CEO:s of Kappahl or Icebug unless we utilized those technologies.

International alumni is another such example where campus visits will be extremely rare to non-existent but digital doors might be open. I hope to return with some feedback in this matter in spring.

By the way, if you want to catch up with some reflections from David at Icebug you can listen in on the pod, Neue Horizonte- David Ekelund: Sustainability needs Inner development (in English) or Change or die -David Ekelund (in Swedish).

Mentorships with students and alumni are up and running As I write this we are in the process of reconciliation meetings with those of you that signed up interest to get mentorship dialogues with alumni. Almost 40 alumni signed up interest in acting as mentors and we got roughly the same numbers of people from you guys signing up.

Outcomes may differ but we hope to conclude a good value overall as we have did in the past exemplified by this comment from a previous year “My take-aways were that I got to know a very interesting and inspiring person, that it became clearer to me what I think is important when choosing an employer, I learned to think in new ways. Above all, I was super happy after every conversation and working life felt more enticing and not at all as scary as before.”

Workshops on career and self leadership This activity is a reoccurring offering for the undergraduate classes but could perhaps both be adjusted for new master students coming to Umeå or perhaps in follow up versions more labor market oriented. A bit of challenge to get high attendance from CEP while our smaller programs SM, HLP and IBEP perform better. Feedback is overall positive which of course is important but a higher reach would make it even more rewarding. Let me know if you miss/-ed the opportunity or would like a retake with some peers in your class.

“Many thanks for today's workshop! Felt very rewarding and calming!!”

"Your workshop was an awakening and now I have attended several activities” “Nice to get a different point of view for my studies since it is so easy to end up in the squirrel wheel!”

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How about the individual session to discuss your case?

It sometimes surprises me when a students says they never heard of the opportunity to book an individual session around career/labor market issues. As long as my schedule allows you are more than welcome to book a meeting with you focus questions in mind.

“Thank you so much for the conversation today, it was very inspiring and has opened up new avenues of thought! Even though the thoughts are a bit scattered, I now have better tools to be able to narrow down the thoughts. Also thanks for all the links!”

How about the bigger picture?

Yes, we have data and comments along with that from the follow-up surveys for the Civilekonom degrees. A bit less from the Master programs but aiming to pick that up again.

Oops, maybe there were some flaws around trend watching The previous issue I boosted trend watching (which I also tend to do when meeting many of you) since I see it as a good tool to keep up your curiosity and also helps you to “stumble across” insights for yourself along the way.

It is never as simple as it seems however. In the marketing magazine Resumé they compiled input from the trend guru Matt Klein who put together a meta-analysis in which he combined insights from more than 70 global forecasts. It turned out that the technological hopes and behavioral truths of business are largely of the same nature today as when his newsletter was launched six years ago. The trends seem to be much of the same thus.

In the hunt to be “trendie” it also, according to Matt, seems that many companies miss out on indepth analysis in the day-to-day hunt for “the new new”. Perhaps we need to stop and reflect a bit more once and a while where our behavior is leading us. Or, perhaps a good trend watching is to realize that trends tend to not be as hyped as they seem all the time and that we need to move more in actionable terms to also move trends forward.

Or, we just listen and learn from “the great one”, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky;”I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.”

I summarize this chronicle with a music tip as usual, as autumn is stepping in why not go for “The night has begun to call” with FM Laeti. (but do keep visiting the outdoors, I myself look forward to some potential ice skating on frozen lakes (with safety in mind of course)) As usual, keep an eye on emails from Career Center through information@usbe.umu.se and as always you are welcome to contact me at rickard.lindberg@umu.se when you want to discuss initiatives for activities, personal development opportunities, job considerations and the future 13 labor market.

HHUS Merch Buy Buy now now Scan the QR code and order Hoodies for 339 kr and Computers case for 139 kr 14

CROSSWORD Across

Down

4. a large animal with four legs that people ride or use to pull heavy things.

6. a large fish with very sharp teeth.

9. a small animal with fur and long ears that lives in a hole in the ground.

10. a slow animal with a thick, hard shell.

13. an insect with large, coloured wings.

15. an intelligent sea animal that breathes air and looks like a large fish.

16. a large, black and white animal that lives in forests in China.

17. an African large animal with a very long neck and long , thin legs.

1. an animal that lives only in water.

2. a farm animal that gives milk and meat.

3. a big reptile that lives in lakes and rivers, with a long mouth and sharp teeth.

5. long, thin creature with no legs that slides along the ground.

6. an animal with smooth fur that eats fish and lives near the sea.

7. a type of large, flesh-eating animal of the cat family, the male of which has a long, coarse mane.

8. a small, green animal with long back legs for jumping, that lives in or near water.

11. a small, four-legged, fur-covered animal often kept as a pet.

12. a very large, grey animal with big ears and a very long nose.

13. an animal that has wings and feathers and is usually reliable to fly.

14. a hairy animal with a long tail that lives in hot countries and climbs trees.

15. an animals with fur , four legs , and a tail , kept as a pet often.

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1. fish, 2. Cow, 3. Crocodile, 4. Horse, 5. Snakes, 6. Shark, 7. Lion, 8. Frog, 9. Rabbit, 10. Tortoise, 11. Cat, 12. Elephant, 13. Butterfly, 14. Monkey, 15. Dolphin, 16. Panda, 17. Giraffe

Issue 3, October 2024

BLOSSOM FROM YOUR PAST Madison Quigley

Our past makes us who we are today, but our past does not define us. One goal I have set for as long as I can remember is to always grow. It can be programed in our daily routines to stay the same, to be afraid of change, to believe what you are now is what you will always be. But that could not be further from the truth, the version of you today is slightly different from who you were yesterday, or years ago, you exist yet another day. And that is worth celebration. Change can often hold a negative connotation, “You’ve changed.” But this phrase to me means something beautiful and valuable has occurred. Change is not always comfortable, but it is beneficial even if we are unable to see that in the moment. We have so much to learn every day, something new to seek about ourselves if we step outside of our comfort zones or take a minute to sit and think about our days. Something to learn about someone else which can cast a reflective image back onto us.

Observing our family and friends in the past and present taking note of the things we wish to hold onto and carry forward, or things we do not want to become. We can change as we design the life we want to live. There is respect that should be given to both the moments of triumph and hardship as they all have taught us a lesson that brought us to where we are. To know yourself also requires being lost sometimes.

Our roots may be different, but they are also what connect us. We come from different backgrounds, different cultures, different traditions, we also have different formative experiences that have shaped our identities. In some ways I have found myself holding on to my roots, not wanting to let go of them, often for comfort of familiarity, fear of change, or acceptance that those parts of myself make me who I am. Change can feel like you are not being true to who you perceive yourself to be. It can also feel freeing, like you are breaking free from invisible ties that no longer allow you to move forward. You can honor your roots in harmony of your pursuit to a new path where a new version of yourself is waiting to be re-born.

I often think of my most influential memories.

How similar am I to my younger self, how different am I, and in what ways have things truly shaped me? When I was younger, I was extremely sensitive to how others may feel, or how I made them feel. I would rotate my stuffed animals each night to sleep with me, so that way none of them would feel left out. I once was so shy, I could not order my own food, or answer the phone, I would not dare to perform or participate in public speaking for it terrified me.

I witnessed my family be extremely warm, welcoming, and accepting, they taught us to be kind to all people, and really understand that everyone has a story that led them to where they are. A combination of that sensitivity and awareness for others has stuck with me when I view the world.

I took a gap year after graduating high school and was an exchange student in Sweden for one year. I wanted to experience a culture different from my own, see what the world was like outside of the confinement of my routine. See how the education system worked, versus just reading about it. I felt so sure of who I was. I had an idea of the cultural upbringings I wished to hold on to, and the ways I knew I wanted to adapt into a new culture. The values my family instilled in me I wanted to hold onto, versus the ones I wanted to let go of. But my idea of who I was, was emphasized in all the wrong things. I had defined myself so heavily on how others perceived me without even realizing it. I had defined myself on achievement, and labels that were placed on me in the small confinement of my world.

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Coming to a place where no one knew me was a new sense of freedom that I wish more people could experience, yet it also came with a lonely learning curve. I would think to myself if only they knew me. Yet I had barely known me, at least not in the ways I needed to. Being somewhere new where no one knows you, you are not known for your mistakes, or your triumphs you are perceived as you are now. Who was I? Who am I? I had a lot of time to reflect and realize that I want to be known as someone who is kind, who is happy, who is curious, warm, inviting, inclusive, and open.

Those were the things I knew to be true of myself, and that is how I wished to show up in this new world. Hopefully the way others could see me as well. Everything was new, the language, food, people, culture, traditions, scenery, routine, the list goes on. But getting to know me was also new.

I fell in love with the LAGOM way of life. I liked the quiet and reserved nature of those around me.

At the same time, I wanted to hold onto certain things about my own culture. I needed to not be afraid to spark up a conversation, speak to strangers (perhaps not on the bus or in the grocery store), and dare to stand out even if who I was looked a little different than those around me. It would take a lifetime to express the changes in myself and how coming to Sweden shaped me for the better.

I loved who I was becoming. I wanted to maintain that feeling when I came back home, say yes to trying new things, look at the world around me as if it was the first time, I was seeing it. I wished to continue creating a life in Sweden. My journey back looked a lot different than I had planned. From then to now I have grown through hardship, held onto new and old traditions, and am still finding my footing to define who I am, who I am meant to be. When you are in a new place it almost feels like all your senses come alive for the first time, when everything is new your perspective shifts.

Colors look more vibrant, the food has a new hidden yet distinct ingredient, the air feels different on your skin. I have found that often the senses can create a certain nostalgia, you hear your favorite childhood song and flash back through time. A certain smell can create a longing in your heart.

In many ways I am still the shy little girl afraid to order her own food, but it shows up differently now. I can speak in front of crowds, yet am still quiet in nature, and enjoy being an introvert that energizes in the confinement of my own space. I still worry about others, but in a way that makes me extra curious about who people are, and what has shaped them. I look at each day as if there is a lesson to be learned, someone can change my life with one sentence, and just as well I could change someone else’s life, our roots got us here, and sometimes those roots need to be cut just a little bit so that we can continue to move forward and grow into something more.

I challenge those who have come here from a different country to say yes, be curious, be open, and look at things with fresh eyes, then wrap all these lessons up carrying them with you, wherever you end up geographically in the world. Your roots are your history that can remain close in the present, yet many versions of you will blossom as you experience the world around you.

Then ask yourself, Who are you, who do you wish to be, what has shaped you?

Madison Quigley Vice Head of Education HHUS vice.education@hhus.se

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“EVERYTHING ELSE IN LIFE WAS ON HOLD" – THE JOURNEY TOWARD AUTHORIZATION

Together, they began their audit journey through the BDO Internship in the fall of 2017. Earlier this spring, it was also confirmed that they would become authorized auditors together. A goal that wasn't always certain, but which today is described as the most important milestone in their careers. Join Ozan Yildiz and Kristoffer Saglind as they share their journey at BDO and the challenges and opportunities they've encountered along the way to becoming authorized auditors.

To become an authorized auditor in Sweden, you must pass a theoretical exam administered by the Swedish Inspectorate of Auditors. According to the newly authorized auditors Ozan Yildiz and Kristoffer Saglind, the exam requires the right preparation, mindset, and mentality. To be eligible to take the exam, both practical and theoretical training is required, and the exam is based on case-based knowledge questions within auditing. Once you pass the exam with a satisfactory result, you receive authorization through the Swedish Revisorsinspektionen.

Audit – An Obvious Choice?

As economics students, there were many career paths to choose from, and for neither Ozan nor Kristoffer was it obvious what auditing actually entailed. But after participating in BDO's internship in the fall of 2017, both felt that auditing was the right path for them. The two economics students signed employment contracts with BDO several years before they later started their employment.

"BDO Internship opened my eyed for BDO as a workplace, I immediately liked the atmosphere at BDO and it felt like a really great place. It was fun and relaxed, yet serious and professional," Kristoffer explains. He also points out that the internship was an opportunity to get a real insight into what an auditor does, as he initially thought it was something completely different.

According to Ozan, the surprises came first when he started working at BDO. He believes that it is partly a tough profession and that it requires a lot of time and patience.

"Of course, the profession is tough in itself, but at the same time, I feel that you are constantly learning new things. Even today, there is still something new that comes up, and I thought that was just a cliché that people said before."

The Road to Authorization After four years as employees at BDO, both Ozan and Kristoffer felt ready to aim for authorization. The mental process began already in the spring when they signed up for the exam, and it intensified significantly as fall approaches.

"For me, it was all about the right mindset. I decided that I would pass, and then I would put in the time required.

My private life had to wait," says Kristoffer.

Ozan and Kristoffer studied together every weekend and two to three weekday evenings two months before the exam.

"I'm not going to lie; it was a tough and challenging period. But as I usually say, as long as you're disciplined and put in a lot of time, things tend to work out," describes Ozan.

For all employees approved to take the authorization exam, BDO offers materials and mandatory literature, as well as days off to study for the exam. There is a strong sense of community and support internally, and it is common for preparatory study sessions to be organized for those taking the exam.

"I wouldn't have passed without the others and Ozan; it feels good to have each other, and we push each other to succeed," says Kristoffer, "It was also important to feel the trust from the company. If they believe in me and think I'm ready to take the exam, then I believe in myself too."

When the exam day arrived, both Ozan and Kristoffer knew that time pressure would be the biggest challenge.

They explain that you could prepare as much as possible, but you also knew there wouldn't be much time for reflection.

Describe your feelings when you found out you passed the exam.

"Immense pride, joy, and relief at not having to go through it again," Kristoffer describes.

"Joy, relief, and irritation. Irritation over having overthought things and built up a lot of worry in myself when it was actually fine," says Ozan.

What's Next?

Both Ozan and Kristoffer believe that entirely new opportunities open up once they become authorized. They already feel excited about attracting their own clients and working more on the advisory side of auditing.

"Now we're starting step two, where I can begin bringing in my own clients and revenue to the company. I'm looking forward to building a brand for myself and really showing what I'm capable of. It opens up a whole new world," Kristoffer explains.

Kristoffer Saglind and Ozan Yildiz are just two of many more examples who started their journey through the BDO Internship and who are still with BDO today. But the journey doesn't end here; new opportunities await them both, and new eager colleagues are now taking over where their journey began.

“I want to take the opportunity to remind everyone new to the industry not to forget to have fun along the way. If you can also make your colleagues your friends, it becomes even more enjoyable, I can guarantee that," Ozan concludes.

About the BDO internship The BDO Internship was started to increase awareness of auditing and provide insight into what the role of an auditor entails. The year Ozan and Kristoffer participated in the BDO Internship, students from various universities and colleges were accepted. They received training from BDO's auditors over a seven-week period at BDO in Stockholm in auditing, financial statements, working on annual reports, solving case studies in auditing, and working side by side with an auditor for a few days.

HECTOR’S REVIEW Understanding what you own In finance, success comes from more than reacting to market swings; it’s rooted in knowing what you own and understanding the value of the underlying businesses behind the stock. The Finance Group has been tested by 2 major crises 2007 and and 2020 - and each time, these principles guided our decisions.

Hector Rosenzweig Head of Finance HHUS head.finance@hhus.se

In 2007, as the financial crisis unfolded, the HHUS board at the time pressured the group to sell off our holdings, fearing the worst. But the Head of Finance at the time insisted that we hold. He knew that what the group owned were not just stocks they were pieces of real businesses with intrinsic value. By trusting the fundamentals and having a long term view, the group resisted the urge to sell.

When the markets recovered, the holding didn’t just regain their value - they thrived. It was a lesson in patience and understanding the true worth of the group's investments.

Fast forward to 2020, and the world was again thrown into uncertainty with the Covid19 pandemic. This time, rather than panicking, our group saw opportunity. The group understood that while stock prices fell, the businesses owned still had strong foundations. Instead of fearing loss, the group invested and reallocated over a quarter of the portfolio in the month of March alone. Many of these investments are still core parts of our holdings, and represent a lion's share of our net returns during the past 3 years.

These two moments - holding firm in 2007 and aggressively investing in March 2020 illustrate how essential it is to stay rooted in knowing what you own, while also being able to capitalize on opportunities when they present themselves. Knowing the true value behind our holdings, and not just seeing them as numbers on a screen, has been a key part to the group's long-term strategy.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to these principles. Understanding the businesses behind each stock their intrinsic value gives us the conviction to stay rational and seize opportunities during uncertain times.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out on our Instagram @hhus.finance or through email at Head.Finance@hhus.se.

20

Flintstones

ROOKIES ON INSPARKEN Being a part of Insparken this year has given me a lot of fun memories and friends. If you ask me, there couldn’t have been a better introduction and start to these four years. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we have had a lot of fun, which our fadders deserve a lot of credit for. The event I personally enjoyed the most was the pink party. It was a really fun night, and I think it became even more special for our group since we won the amazing race and got to skip the line at E-puben.

What I will miss the most about Insparken is all the fun events we did with our fadder groups. Even though we all eventually got sick—probably from swimming in Klammedammen—we did it together. There has been something special about being "thrown into" a group full of strangers that quickly turned into good friends, and now we share a lot of nice memories.

101 Dalmatiner

by: Saga Fors

The activities I liked the most were the campus day, the toga party, and the pre-party marathon. It has been a fun experience to be part of Insparken! Right from the first day when we met our faddrar, I felt like part of the group. They have taken good care of us and made us feel safe and welcome from the very beginning. Something I will miss about Insparken are all the fun pre-parties with the fadders, but also all the competitions where we had to compete in our groups. by: Madeleine Wennström

22

Wanda

Insparken for me was something I didn’t even think about attending but something my friends pushed me to try and I was so skeptical to it but on the first night, I had so much fun and felt so included, I ended up calling in sick for work.

The most fun was for me the Beach and When I Grow up Parties. It was so fun and I made real great friends during them.

The faddrar were amazing really, they were a big reason as to why I could actually let lose and be a bit more outgoing, it’s extremely unlike me otherwise. They made sure I felt included, helped with things as well as gave advice on how to plan the studies etc. I’m forever greatful to them.

What I’ll miss the most is the faddergroup, it’s been so nice to be a part of a group and feel so included. Almost like teamwork hahah. No but, I’ll miss hanging out with everyone as a group and the faddrar as well, I wouldn’t mind if it never ended but that’s asking a bit much I think.

All in all, insparken has really brought out a new side in me and that seems far fetched but anyone who knows me at home would say the same. I’ll forever have some of my greatest memories from it.

Musse Pigg

by: Matilda Johansson

My favorite events during Insparken were the Pink Party— everyone was really excited and gave it their all; the Gasque—because it was an incredible experience in every way; and Capture the Flag—it made me feel like a kid again, running around and playing water wars.

I was nervous at first, but I found the fadders welcoming and felt at home right away. The fadders had a strong sense of community, which quickly spread to us rookies, making us feel included from the start. What I will miss the most about Insparken are all the activities we did together, but above all, I will miss my fantastic fadders. by: Klas

23

HHUS BOARD ALUMNI PRESIDENT - 2018 “From the first day I set foot at USBE, I knew I wanted to be a part of HHUS. From Insparken and sittningar to SM i Ekonomi and the E-pub, I was impressed by how students could run it all alongside full-time studies.

For me, HHUS was a way to strengthen my resume and improve my leadership skills. I like to think of HHUS as a playground; it is the perfect place to practice what you have learned so far during your education in a real organization. I take many things with me from my year on the board, but what I value the most is that it made me more confident as a leader.

If you ever consider joining HHUS, my advice is to just do it. It is probably the most fun and developmental thing you can do alongside your studies.”

My Persson

BOARD ADVISOR - 2022 “What mainly motivated me to join was my curiosity about working as a board member in general. I also really enjoyed the social aspects of HHUS, making it an easy decision to apply.

My time on the HHUS board benefited me personally, as I got to meet a lot of new people and have a lot of fun along the way—it truly made a positive impact on my overall university experience.

Professionally, it gave me valuable insights into how boards operate, and it was interesting to see the similarities between the HHUS board and other organizations.

Additionally, it’s a very valuable experience to showcase on my CV. In hindsight, I wouldn't have done anything differently during my time on the board. There’s always the thought of "what if," but every decision we made came with its own learnings. Overall, I feel happy with the value we were able to deliver to the members of HHUS.”

Simon Lindgren

HEAD OF MARKETING - 2010 “I applied to HHUS to mainly improve my resume and gain exposure to a position of accountability early on. It is an opportunity that everyone should consider.

While the experience helped my career, some of the friendships I forged became an even greater reward. Looking back, I wish I had been bolder and more innovative in preparing students for their next career steps. We Europeans are often too risk-averse, and I wish I had realized that earlier and helped to change that mindset while at HHUS."

Fredrik Wilhelmsson 24

HEAD OF EDUCATION - 2020 "My strongest motivation was to become a part of the ongoing change and development of HHUS while gaining valuable experience and skills in leadership.

I believe I have put significant effort into learning and understanding how the institutions operate and create value for us as students. This experience has provided me with new perspectives and insights into student life and allowed me to form meaningful friendships.

I have learned that every decision and the work required in this position contribute to my personal and professional development."

Piotr Pokrasen

HEAD OF SOCIAL - 2021 "I wanted to get involved in HHUS to challenge myself with new experiences. The social aspect was a significant motivator for me, as it provided opportunities to meet new people from different programs and classes, and to be part of the best committee—the SOCIAL committee, of course!

On a personal level, HHUS greatly contributed to my study years. I made many new friendships and attended numerous fun events and activities, which made my study time truly enjoyable.

Professionally, I gained board experience, leadership skills, and a holistic perspective from being responsible, along with the rest of the board, for the organization during the board year.

I served on the board during a year when half of it was affected by the pandemic, and in hindsight, I wish I had organized even more grand events to make up for the "boring" first half of the corona year.

Otherwise, I don’t think I would have done anything differently; perhaps I would have just enjoyed the time even more, as it was a fun period of my studies!"

Amalia Hägglund

HEAD OF EPUBEN - 2021 “I knew that I wanted to be a part of some type of organization during my student years. To apply for the board felt exciting and to join the E-Puben specifically felt like a natural choice since I have worked in restaurants before. I also saw it as an opportunity to meet new people outside of the classroom, which I really enjoyed.

I recommend every student to join HHUS in some way, either in the board, in a committee or just working at the E-Puben, since it is very rewarding to your personal growth. The struggles I thought I would encounter were not necessarily the struggles I ended up with, which made me realize a lot about myself! Two things I take with me is to not be too serious about things that should be fun, and that there are more people that want to help than you think! You are not on the board or in the committee alone.

When I think of this period I see all the great students that were a part of the committee, and the ones that worked at the E-Puben. I see the ones that spent so much time making it the place it was. During these times there was so much happiness in spending your Friday at the E-Puben, and without these stars it would not have been possible. If I could change one thing, it would be to enjoy the moment more and not worry too much about what everyone else thought!”

25

Malin Landfeldt

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Fadder groups of Insparken 2024

Capture the Flag

PINK PARTY