IBP Magazine 8th Edition

INTERNSHIP AT THE DANISH EMBASSY IN LONDON

Meet Jakob Nørgaard

CAN YOU DO IT ALL - AN ELECTION'S TALE

Casper Øhlers gives us insights into running for Parliament

Editor’s letter

Congratulations! We all make it another semester, and in fact, a whole nother calendar year! I believe I speak for most of us saying that this year has continued to challenge us with the inevitably hard “study-work-friends-family-sports-etc.” balance. Especially, the first year students deserve applause for getting through the first semester of university with a sometimes overwhelming workload. However, despite many IBP’ers finding themselves being busy, the IBP Union has helped provide many fun and entertaining moments throughout this semester. This semester started off with an amazing intro week - completely restriction-free - where first year (and second year) students got to form new friendships. Third year students got to go on exchange and do their internships, and we in communications loved bringing you the stories of their exciting adventures.

Furthermore, we have had plenty of events this semester! IBP Academic has provided us with what seems like more events than ever before. We have been able to see top politicians and experts debate the EU and climate crisis, and have visited companies like Ørsted and Mærsk Management Consulting. We also all got to follow the Danish parliament election live together. Additionally, IBP Social has brought back the communal dinner at Absalon, along with our favorite events of the Tour de Chambre, Friday bars where I could have been confused whether it was an IBP or a-list celebrity party, and the cozy fall dinner. They also made sure we got in the holiday spirit despite exam season with a Christmas market event.

In Communications, we have been working hard to bring you the IBP Magazine! With our new fresh members, ideas have been flooding in. Thus, we can proudly present the 8th edition of the IBP Magazine. We have interviewed second year student Alex Smith, sharing his uncon-

ventional path to IBP, and alumni Nima Tis dall, the Forbes “30 under 30” entrepreneur. Professor Ayca Uygur Wessel takes over this edition’s Professor’s Page, where she will share her favorite and maybe least favorite parts about teaching IBP students. We will bring an update on whether the current third year student’s fifth semester lived up to their expectations. Similarly, we have Jacob Nærgaard sharing his experience doing an internship at the Danish Embassy in London during his 5th semester. Furthermore, Casper Øhlers will also share the process of running for parliament for Denmark! Additionally, to help you spend your free time wisely, we will bring you some fun first date ideas, book and movie reviews, and much more! Needless to say, we have got content to hopefully entertain and inspire all of you IBP’ers.

Lastly, the end of this semester sadly also means the end of the current board’s term. Thus, it is also the last time where I get to be the editor of our magazine. I want to thank all of you on the behalf of the entire board for this year! We deeply appreciate you for giving us the chance to shape this fantastic community! See you all soon back on campus, and enjoy the upcoming spring semester!

All the best,

Amanda Kierkegaard Brandgaard Head of IBP Union Communications

Keeping up with

President Mathias

The buzzword this year has definitely been ‘sponsorships¨. Coming into the position with a bit of a challenging financial situation and a general lack of partnerships with firms made it a large priority for us in the board from the get go. Through trial and error (and a lot of emails), I’ve done extensive work with Sidsel and Gregers to acquire exciting new partnerships that the next board will have the pleasure of working with. Besides the sponsorships, it’s been great to watch the heads of the Academic, Social, and Communications branch thrive and grow in their roles through the last year. Social has become more organised than ever and is providing a great, varied range of events. We have Communications to thank for our amazing new website and the host of fun and informative social media engagements (my personal favourite is and will always be the ‘Music Fridays’) and Academic continues to knock it out of the park with great supplementary events to our base education. I am proud and honoured to have been able to work with these talented people over the last year, and am humbled and grateful to have been able to serve the best bachelor at CBS. I look forward to meeting the new board, and I am excited to see what they continue to do with the foundations we have created. Thank you for a great year!

Vice President Sidsel

What a year! I have spent most of my time this year making sure that we could secure ideal partners and get the sponsorships that benefit us all! This has proved to be both a challenge as well as a great opportunity to form the Union into something even stronger and even more professional. It was surely difficult in the beginning since the board position was new to me - but luckily I got the hang of it quite quickly and learned a lot. Especially, meeting with the bigger guys out there showed me just how valuable and lovely IBP is being perceived by others too (not only by us haha!) However, I have also enjoyed the role of being “in between” all the different branches. This means that I have still been able to stick with planning within Social (for example our wonderful evening at Absalon!) but also help out within the other branches. But this would not have been possible without strong heads of each branch to coordinate with - not to mention the wonderful IBP’ers that show up whenever they feel interested, ambitious or social! IBP is truly like no other study. Thank you for being wonderful, IBP.

Head of Social Cecilie

I am very proud to be part of such a talented, motivated and dedicated board and not least union. With increased cooperation across bran ches; we can thank Communications for our beautiful social media banners for our events. And we can thank our amazing Treasurer for acing the economy so we in the future can have many more exciting events! One of my major focuses as Head of Social has been organising and restructuring internally, so that we already now can present a plan for this coming semester, including; wine-tasting, Gala 2023 and a Roskilde Festival camp! All of this would not have been possible without the dedicated social team behind. Their hard work and energy keeps inspiring and contributes to our social lives and feeling of togetherness in the IBP bachelor. I believe some of the major successes in 2022 have been our dinners. Our Gala, the communal dinner at Absalon, and Spring- and Fall dinners (with after-parties) have met huge participation across the IBP bachelor and enabled us to meet in new groups and create bonds across the different years. We are all looking very much forward to the third years coming back from their exchange-trips, and last but not least, to the event of the year: Gala 2023! I am also very excited to see what the next Head of Social may bring about for the branch and IBP. I can only say that it has been a great opportunity to grow and experience leadership in a fun way!

Head of Academic Jella

As our time as the board of IBP is coming to an end, I am grateful for so many things that have happened over the course of last year. So, I would like to say thank you to my lovely colleagues from the board, all members of IBP Union and especially Academic and of course to everyone that showed up continuously to Academic events - they are for you and your interest and engagement is what makes them fantastic! The past year was all about making Academic not only informative but also engaging and more social- and I believe with events such as the Election Night or the Simulation Game with the Alliances for Democracies as well as many more we have really accomplished to do that. Moreover, thanks to us having many new exciting partnerships, events for the coming semester are already in planning and opportunities and ideas are seemingly endless. Looking forward, while I will miss being part of the board, I am also more than excited and happy to see what the new board will create. I hope that whoever will take over my and our positions, will find as much joy and opportunities as I did and experience what it can give for our studies and beyond. Thank you for a fantastic year!

Treasurer Gregers

It has been an eventful and successful year for the IBP Union. When we (the current board) were elected last year, we were ”board-rookies”, but through hard work, dedication, and great people in all branches, we have again proven ourselves to be the best student union at CBS. In my first three months as treasurer, I faced many hurdles: The financial situation was very challenging, and the process of gaining access to the Union’s financial accounts was prolonged. However, I can confidently assure the incoming board that these challenges will not be encountered in the future as the Union’s economy is now doing very well. With a tight grip on the economy and efforts to secure funding the economy is standing strong. I have, by example, been able to secure financing for the Union’s merchandise and refunds of expenses for Friday Bar. Furthermore, the board and I have secured new sponsors for the Union. Our most newly agreed partner is Simon-Kuchers & Partners, a fast-growing global consultancy. Lastly, I would like to thank everyone in the IBP Union for their hard work and dedication - you are amazing.

Alex Smith

By Valdemar Hedegaard

Meet Alexander James Smith, but feel free to call him “Alex”. In this edition of the IBP of the issue, we are honored to present The Renaissance Man of IBP, namely Alex. He is currently entering his 4th semester of IBP, while working as a writer for a software company, where he works with many different fields, including marketing, technical writing, and corporate communications. In this issue Alex will tell us a bit about his (crazy) path to IBP, his active engagement in the IBP study board, his top places to travel and his overall advice to his fellow peers.

We do however recommend sitting down with Alex and hearing his story. He has the broadest field of interest of anyone we’ve ever met – and at the young age of 34, he just might have some great advice for all.

From making movies, to shaking drinks behind the bar and now IBP?

The story of Alex and his road to IBP can best be described as a butterfly fluttering in the wind. His story seems to be driven by a lust to understand things – and by things, we pretty much mean everything. From a very early age, in England, he garnered an interest in math and physics, wanting to understand the functioning of the universe, while also being very interested in the humanism of the arts and design. He actually wanted to study physics when he first started university back in 2006, but he made a sudden change of heart and decided to study a Bachelor of Arts in film & television production. He graduated in 2009, but opportunities were scarce at the height of the financial crisis, which made it very difficult for him to pursue a career within the field. He does however still love movies and wishes he had the time to watch more.

Fast forward to 2014, at the age of 25, Alex made the move to Copenhagen, partially sparked by a long fascination with the Nordic Model. Here, he got a job at a bar and worked for several different establishments, where he rapidly gained management experience. This provided an initial beginning into understanding management and organizations in practicality. However, having a curious mind, he had a broader interest in exploring how organizations act within the world and how the world affects the actions of the organizations within it. Here he hit the nail on the head in choosing to pursue a degree in IBP, where he resides today.

The generational gap

Given that Alex is currently 34 years old, which is 12 years above that of the average IBP student, we had to address the elephant in the room –the generational gap. However, Alex does not seem to mind, or even notice. He mentions that due to the open-mindedness, intelligence, and maturity of his peers, the age difference has not had any noticeable effect. As a matter of fact, he encourages older students like himself who wish to pursue a degree to take the plunge and send in their applications.

Top 3 places to see

We asked Alex about his top 3 places to see and the answers were very unexpected.

1. Nørrebro

He shows much love for the neighborhood of Nørrebro in Copenhagen. He describes it as gritty and honest, while at the same time being friendly and down to earth.

2. Islay

A relatively large island located off the west coast of Scotland. He recommends a visit here, due to its natural beauty, rich history, and unique culture. The island is known for its rugged landscapes, picturesque beaches, crystal-clear waters, and long summer sunsets.

3. The Manly Ferry – specifically at the moment when Sydney Harbour comes into view

When Alex describes the Manly Ferry’s journey into central Sydney, it sounds like a completely utopian setting. Naturally, many ordinary citizens take this ferry to and from work on a daily basis, and might not pay full attention. However, if you manage to step back from the moment and admire the never-ending blue ocean, the beautiful architecture of Sydney and the prominence of the arts-dedicated Opera House, it is one of the most stunning ferry rides in the world.

So to put this into perspective with the pace of our daily life in Copenhagen, he advises people to sometimes stop, breathe, and actively take in their surroundings. We sometimes tend to filter out the beautiful surroundings of our everyday life and even the most amazing landscapes are sometimes ignored. He insists that everyone can do this on command, with a little reflection.

The importance of the study board

As most students at IBP know, Alex has been invested in the study board and its activities. Throughout our conversation with him, he greatly advocates that students participate in the opportunities available for them to be involved at CBS, whether that’s the study board, academic council, or any other. As he explains, it is vital that students build relationships with people who aren’t just on their course, but who are also doing a hard job teaching and administering their course and have incredible knowledge about their work. At the same time, having the opportunity to be in a room filled with many different interests and discussing solutions that satisfy multiple parties is a very unique and much-needed skill to possess. He also reiterates that the study board should be regarded as a place where information is collected and processed and important forward-thinking decisions are made, and those decisions need student representation, but it is not necessarily a place where students simply want their wishes taken and expect them to be granted.

Advice for fellow IBP students

Alex had one very unique piece of advice, for both young and old:

“Remember that you are in dialogue with the world in which you live.”

To elaborate, he says that as IBP students, we are constantly told that we are on a good track to succeed in the world. But if you succeed individually, in a way that doesn’t help the world actively avoid crashing and burning, then it’s going to be a very short and quite unhappy victo ry, because you are ultimately damaging the place in which you yourself live.

Ayca Uygur Wessel

Dear IBP’ers,

I’ve been taking a trip down memory lane, since the day I got invited to write on this column. The whole process took me straight back to the year 2017, which is when I first began teaching at IBP. I was younger, and being somewhat of an outsider to the Danish educational system, completely clueless about what it meant to teach on IBP. I remember being surprised that people from outside of academia knew about the program and thought that teaching on it was a big deal. Well, I’m quite glad that I had no idea that the program was so well-known. If I had known, at the time, that I had just been entrusted with teaching some of the most talented and curious minds of the region, I would have completely freaked out. Instead, and to my luck, my relationship with IBP got to be a smooth yet positively challenging learning journey, one in which I discovered a true passion for teaching. Believe me; a career gift does not get better than that! And now, thanks to the editors, I get to look back on those wonderful five years, and tell you in a nutshell some things about my experience with IBP that might hopefully speak to you.

Interacting with numerous students on IBP over the years has taught me that educational success is not about grades. It is more about staying curious and trying out things with the intention of finding your own path, on your own time. Many of you come here having secured the best of grades in your educational journey, and in that sense, you are a teacher’s dream. But now, it’s time to slightly let go of that target to make room for other ones that will help you flourish in your future lives. Targets such as trying out possible career paths, looking deeper into certain topics, making time for networking and social interaction,

building strong relationships with peers, professors and other stakeholders who will contribute to your long-term growth…

We all know that grades are only a measure taken at a particular point in time. And whereas they may be the best estimate we came up with, they are not a perfect measure of how successful you are, or how good you are in a certain field. To be honest, I wish we had a system of giving you feedback without having to mark your work. Teaching and learning would have been so much more effective and stressfree that way! Well then, here is my advice to you under this imperfect system of grading and marking: Do not let grades define your self-worth as a learner or distract you from other important things you want to accomplish through your education.

Furthermore, do not let grades come between you and professors whose courses you find challenging. Speaking for myself, whether you show up at my office wanting to secure a top grade, or you’re going through tough times and need to make sure you pass the course, I will treat and guide you equally.

To me, IBP is not a place where you have to prove yourself or your worth, but one where you can find your strength and your passion. Some people think of this program as a series of boxes that you tick as you go along, but in my opinion, this is quite far from the IBP logic. This program is more about questions rather than answers, and more about discovery rather than performance. This is the program where you do not necessarily have to be good at every single thing, but one where you explore paths and come one step closer to picking your own lane. What this might mean for you is that you should never be afraid of putting more weight on topics and activities that interest you, and less on things that you intend to make use of more generically. In the end, you taking charge of your own path to learn deeply about what matters to your journey will be way more important than what question is more likely to come up in an exam. The bottom line to learning is that you learn for yourself, and never with the intention of pleasing anyone else.

So far, we talked mostly about the learning side of things. But there are also things on the teaching side that IBP has had me reflect on that I’d like to touch upon before I conclude. Before teaching on IBP, I tended to think of being an educator as a job where one has to convey certain topics in a ‘neat way’. But as the years passed by, I got to experience a different side of teaching, one that is more about mentorship. I’m not claiming at all that I’m good at doing this, but only trying to say that this is definitely my number one goal in my relationship to you, my students. I literally live for those magic moments when I manage to get someone feel more curious about a topic they had not encountered before, or when I can convince someone that they can in fact achieve what they set out to achieve in the first place (this last one happens on Qualitative Methods a lot!). These are the things that give so much meaning to what I do.

For all of those, I have you to thank. So thanks to all of you IBP’ers, for making my IBP journey such a lovely experience. Please keep on making all of us better with your constructive feedback, and keep on working hard to make this world into a better place with the tools you get here! If you want to have a chat, my door is always open.

Wishing you all the best, Ayca

EXPECTATIONS VS REALITY

OF THE 5TH SEMESTER

By Kari Grov and Tania González Horstmann

Before the summer we heard about five third-year students’ plan for the 5th-semester. Did reality meet their expectations? And what tips do they have for electives, exchange and internships?

CECILIA ZADE ISENI

And how was it having Eddie Ashbee again?

Eddie was just as amazing as expected. He only taught online during my first year, so it was great actually getting to experience the famous Eddie Ashbee in person! As the class was small the lectures became very intimate and Eddie created an environment with lots of space for participation which I really enjoyed.

Do you have any tips for students taking electives?

Take the time to get to know the other IBP’ers who aren’t traveling during 5th semester and spend time with them! I wish I would have done more of this, I’ve really missed the IBP-spirit this semester.

First of all how has this fall semester been?

Great in so many unexpected ways! In August, I decided to postpone 15 ects to next fall in order to be able to focus on my volunteer work without compromising my studies too much (let’s just say I’ve made that mistake before:)). And it’s been the best decision I’ve made while studying! I’ve had a lot more time to get into depth with the courses I’ve followed and catch up on everything I missed while I was in New York at the beginning of the semester. While I was in New York, I also got a job offer, which was everything I wanted in a student job and just too good to turn down, so I actually changed jobs this semester as well. I moved in with my boyfriend at the beginning of the semester, so there has been a lot of change, which has made me extra happy about my decision to postpone courses. It’s been a blessing to actually be able to settle into a good routine at our new home and this feels like the first time during my studies it hasn’t been completely chaotic haha.

How were the electives? Fun? Challenging?

The two electives I took were two completely different experiences. One was a small class taught by Eddie Ashbee, which was super interesting and engaging. The other was quite a large class and taught by a professor whom I personally didn’t find very captivating, so I wasn’t too happy about that. But that’s pretty common I guess, we can’t be equally satisfied with every professor’s style of teaching.

And we must ask, how was it going to NYC as the Danish Youths representative UN General Assembly?

Amazing in every possible way. I had that “pinch me”-feeling several times a day from experiencing so many amazing things. We got to be part of the launch of Denmark’s candidacy for the Security Council, participated in the official meetings of the Danish delegation, and were invited to the ambassador’s residence for dinner with a group of Danish MP’s. I even got to go to a rooftop reception with the Crown Prince! The highlight of it all was writing and giving my own speech on behalf of Denmark to the General Assembly’s third committee - it was such a special and empowering experience. The trip was made even better by the fact that I got to spend time with a bunch of great IBP’ers who were on exchange or doing an internship in the US, as we linked up for an amazing weekend in NYC.

Lastly, were your expectations for the 5th semester met?

A lot of my expectations for the fifth semester were exceeded by lengths! Postponing half my subjects has allowed me to spend more with the people I love, living with my boyfriend is even better than expected and I am so happy about my new job. However, I’m a bit disappointed that I never got around to visiting my friends on exchange in Paris - the semester just went by so fast:/

SARA LIND ARLAUD

competitive university like USC, the academic level was not as high as I expected. Since classes were not restricted to business or politics students (with some exceptions), the level among students varied a lot. Combining that with curved grading, I often found myself in a favorable position to get good results without a very heavy workload. This is not to say that studying at USC was not challenging, but the challenges were different from those at CBS. There were more day to day assignments and more presentations and class engagement, which in some cases put me outside my comfort zone. An example was in my negotiation and persuasion class, where we would role play different kinds of negotiations every week with the other students. This was very different from CBS and taught me a lot.

How was exchange in Los Angeles? Wow, where to start? Exchange was absolutely amazing! Having the opportunity to go to another country and get out of the routine of life in Denmark and at CBS was such a blast and it really allowed me to gain some perspective on IBP and life in general. I chose to go to Los Angeles partly because I was curious about living in a big city in the US. Los Angeles is such a vibrant and diverse place where you very quickly get a feeling of endless opportunity. This was a very motivating environment to study in and it gave a good reminder of the international aspect of IBP and how a career after uni is not constrained to Denmark. Aside from the big-picture thoughts inspired by the city, LA is also just such a fun place. There is always something to do and you would be hard pressed to explore it all in one semester.

What was it like studying at USC? Did you get all your courses and how were the courses?

USC was an interesting experience, let’s put it like that. The campus was beautiful and included a distinct USC Village with cafes and shops where many hours were spent in the sun. The university is known for being very social, so I got to experience some of the stereotypical American uni activities like tailgating for football games and frat parties, which was a lot of fun. The university system in the US is very different from what I was used to at CBS. The way classes are run is more comparable to high school, where the professors check attendance, expect you to raise your hand and participate, and hand in homework throughout the semester. All these factors combined with midterms and exams are components of your final grade, which definitely took some readjustment after spending semesters at CBS mostly cramming for a single final exam. I was lucky enough to get all the courses I applied for and was very happy with all of them. I was surprised to find that for a

Before summer you said you lived in an apartment with other CBS students on exchange in LA, how was that living situation?

Yes, I lived in an apartment with five other CBS students at an off-campus student housing complex called the Lorenzo. It was a 3-bedroom apartment so we stayed two students in each room with a common living room and kitchen. The Lorenzo was a great place to stay with amazing amenities including several pools, hot tubs, gym, rooftop bbq, cinema, and more. It also provided frequent shuttles to and from campus, which was great since the area around USC is not the safest due to the high homeless population in LA. Staying with other CBS students was great and it made it easy to make connections fast, both with each other (of course) and with the people each of us met in class. There was always someone to do stuff with and since we were all there on exchange, our priorities mostly aligned regarding activities and trips.

And, tell us about your trips! Did you get to travel to Las Vegas and San Francisco?

We took some amazing trips during the semester. All of us had Fridays off so the long weekends were perfect for getaways to some of the destinations around LA. Las Vegas was our first trip as it was on the list for all of us and we wanted to get there during the summer season to experience the infamous day parties. It was such a blast, and we certainly made the most of the trip with a very packed schedule. We also went to San Francisco and drove up along the coast, which was a beautiful drive with a good amount of stops along the way such as Santa Cruz and the Danish city, Solvang. Additionally, we went to San Diego, Palm Springs, and Orange County where we celebrated Thanksgiving and had a great time. While the trips were certainly amazing, there are also so many cool places in LA to spend time such as Santa Monica, Venice, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Malibu, etc.

Do you have any tips for IBPers going on exchange? Any tips for the US or California in particular?

Hm, enjoy it! The semester goes by so fast, and it really is an incredible opportunity to make memories, new friends, and challenge yourself. Figure out what kind of semester you want and choose the destination based on that. I would say that USC is the right place for you if you want to experience the US, sunshine, and have fun while getting a recognized uni on your resume. As for California, it is more expensive than I expected. Inflation and a very unfavorable exchange rate means you burn through money fast, so I would prioritize the time necessary to apply for scholarships. On a more fun note, Kyte Rentals is a great app to rent cars for trips in the US, and as a student you don’t pay insane premiums for being a young driver. Finally, if you plan on going to LA and Las Vegas and you want to go out, promoters are a big help and can save you a lot of money (especially, but not exclusively, for girls).

What would you say was the highlight of your exchange semester?

That’s a tough question. Las Vegas and Palm Springs were the most fun trips and created so many memories, but what made them highlights were ultimately the amazing people I met and experienced it with.

Lastly, were your expectations met?

They were met and exceeded by far! I didn’t really understand the very LA-saying of ‘living my best life’ until this semester – I think that pretty much describes it.

LOUISE DOHM MOGENSEN

What was it like studying at the University of Sydney? Did you get all your courses and how were the courses?

It was a very different experience studying at USYD compared to CBS. In general, I would say that courses at USYD are less difficult but demand a higher work effort throughout the semester. For instance, my final exams only acconted for 30-40% of my grade - the rest had been covered by in-semester quizzes or assignments. Moreover, 2nd and 3rd year courses (read: the interesting courses) did not have any mandatory participation, which made my week pretty flexible. Specifically, I had the following courses:

• Investments and Portfolio Management

• Marketing

• Intermediate International Relations

• Experimental and Behavioural Economics

Before summer you said you didn’t have a place to stay, but we are guessing that worked out fine? What was your accommodation like?

It was actually much more difficult to find accomodation than anticipated! But it turned out really great in the end. I had chosen not to take the student accomodation on campus, and instead looked for something near the beaches together with the other people from CBS. My roomie and I ended up finding a really nice place in Coogee (right on the beach), that had two seperate rooms as well as a common room. The key to finding a place that was both affordable and liveable was definitely that we ended up renting something unfurnished. We just rented some beds and bought some necessities from IKEA, which we sold again once leaving Australia.

Do you have any tips for IBPers going on exchange in general, but also people going to Australia?

General tips

• Take the trips! Wherever you go, make sure that you go on as many weekend trips as possible - exchange is going to be over before you know it!

• Make sure to apply for the scholarships - you are going to be so grateful for the extra cash once you are leaving.

Aussie tips

• Aussies are really friendly and often want to give you advice - so take it! Advice from locals is always the best.

• Write down your bucket list - Australia is a huge country, so it is nice to get an overview early on.

How was exchange in Sydney?

Exchange in Sydney (and Aussie in general) was just as great as I imagined!

• Do not drink in public! Australia has laws against public displays of drinking... Personally, I am a big fan of the “gå-bajer” (walking-beer), which is really a no-go in Aussie.

What would you say was the highlight of your exchange semester?

The highlight of my semester was probably taking a road trip up the east coast together with my boyfriend during the so called ’spring break’.

Lastly, were your expectations met?

YES - it has really been such a good semester. I am so jealous on all the 2nd years that are able to look forward

ANDREAS LØVENGREEN

shopping, watching a movie, or whatever. Just never relaxing at home. Probably because the apartments are so small.

Before the summer you looked forward to living that movie dream with cosmos on rooftops, did you feel like you lived in a movie?

Haha, definitely. I really have done a lot of things. And I think it is safe to say that I have had my fair share of cosmos. Lately, I have also gotten to experience more everyday-like things. Just going for walks in my own neighborhood in Brooklyn, writing the internship report in my bed for a whole day and so on.

Have you gotten to see some other parts of the US?

Actually, not really. I had so many ambitions to travel when I started, but I just never really got around to it. I was in DC for a weekend and hiked in upstate New York. But that is it.

What is the process of an internship report like?

First of all, how has the fall in NYC been? It is beautiful. The sunset over the city becomes sort of dusty. It might just be pollution, but it looks really nice. New York is really at its best during the fall. In the summer it is too hot and, in the winter, too cold. But fall is just right.

How was the internship? Did you work around the clock like most New Yorkers?

I love it. It is full of challenges, and yes, we do work around the clock, but it is perfect for me. It is not just working around the clock. I think New Yorkers are just always doing something. Always on the run. If you are not working, then you are probably out eating, training,

Horrible. The worst. I had imagined that I would write a report about the internship and how it relates to IBP. Boy was I wrong. This report is serious business. It is a 100 % academic report with everything that entails. About the practicalities of it. There is an application process. If you cannot find it, then write to Manuele Citi or the Study Board. The first step is to find a supervisor. Then you must apply. The application is fairly simple, and one can easily make an internship fit IBP. At the moment I have ongoing meetings with my supervisor, and we e-mail back and forward. The greatest struggle is to understand the learning objectives of the internship. If someone from the Study Board is reading this – for future students, can we please have a look at the learning objectives? They are very extensive when one has a full-time job, and it is not clear what the actual report should contain.

Do you have any tips for students going to New York or students taking an internship?

OMG, so many! If you are going to New York, then hit me up! I have lists of restaurants and bars and second-hand stores. Hmm, I think my best advice I to just go into the internship with open arms. Be ready for new experiences. Be ready to learn. Be ready for challenges. Be ready to meet new people.

And lastly, were your expectations met? Yes!

UPDATE FROM THE

STUDY BOARD

Dear IBP Students,

The past year in the Study Board has been quite a journey. We have discussed formalities, curriculum, and semester structure changes in the process of adapting to the changes in the IBP program. It is a long process, and while we have tried to incorporate as many of your suggestions as possible, many things are decided by higher-ups. In the past year, we have:

• Elected four Course Representatives for Political Science to ensure direct and better feedback

• Held an event with the IBP Union to raise awareness of all the library’s online resources, courses and tutorials

• Managed to move first-semester exams to not overlap with each other

• Changed the Course Representative electionprocess to ensure the best collaboration between students and teaching staff

• Been working towards coherent semester structures do not have quarters and semesters courses at the same time

• Worked towards incorporating the Nordic Nine goals in the course material

After the election in November, a new Study Board was elected. We welcome three new members to the board: Amalie Holst, Astrid Schou, and Luna Solhave! With that, many thanks are due to Alex Smith, Matilde Galioto Lecker, and Victor Wersinger for their hard work over the past year!

What is the IBP Study Board?

The best way to think about the study board is to think about it as a forum or a meeting place for ideas. The study board consists of 5 professors teaching on IBP, 5 student representatives and 2 IBP staff members.

What do we do?

The study board meetings happen roughly every month and usually behind closed doors. Sometimes, when debating about a specific issue, we also invite people to provide us with insights. Officially, our most important task is ensuring the courses’ academic quality. We do so through, for example, establishing the qualityboards, which means finding course representatives for each course, talking to them, reading the course evaluations and discussing with teachers whether the exam format should be changed. Additionally, we deal with personal cases of exemptions, credit pre-approvals for exchange, internship approvals and appeals.

Who exactly are we?

We are the five students who were elected as student representatives by you in Autumn 2022. We will sit on the study board for a year, from January 2023 to December 2023, until the next IBP Study Board is elected.

Why should you care?

We want you to understand that we, as the student representatives are YOUR VOICE for structural change within the IBP program. If you are concerned about something, unhappy with a course, or have criticism or suggestions, please reach out (CBS email or in person). At the beginning of each meeting, the board’s vice-chair has a specific timeslot allocated to updates from the students, in which any issues can be brought up.

We sincerely hope this has helped us understand our work better!

On behalf of the study board, Sofie Andersen, current vice-chair of the IBP Study Board

Sofie Andersen (2nd year BSc.)

Jonna Schmude (1st year MSc.)

Luna Solhave (2nd year BSc.)

Amalie Holst (1st year BSc.)

Astrid Schou (1st year BSc.)

HOW DO YOU START A SUCCESSFUL COMPANY?

NIMA TISDALL

By David Thomassen

Amid a hectic, fun, stressful and exciting intro week filled with new relationships and impressions, there was scheduled an event where former IBP students would come and share what they had done following the completion of their education. A bit hungover and tired, this did not intrigue me all that much, this however changed when Nima Tisdall walked into the room. The young and eccentric founder of Blue Lobster filled the room with energy and gave an inspiring talk on her entrepreneurial journey. Nima’s charismatic presentation stayed with me for a long time, and was the reason I chose to seek her out for a conversation.

Could you start by briefly sharing the entrepreneurial and educational journey that has led you to where you are today?

It’s actually my 10-year anniversary for starting at CBS, I started right after high school. I studied my first year, and then I thought that CBS wasn’t really something for me, so I decided to take annual leave (årlov), and went backpacking in South America. After this experience I decided to give CBS another shot. I Reenrolled and finished my bachelor’s in 2016 and started on my master’s in IBP right after. I structured the way in which I took my masters quite creatively, which made it possible to do a data analysis internship at the UN, get a full-time job there for a while and to visit Nepal to do research for my master thesis. It was kind of a mess, but it was fun, and it was cool to kind of tailor my own education. While taking my master’s I also started Blue Lobster, we began operations in 2019, around the time I defended my master’s thesis, I have been working on it full time ever since.

How did you get the idea for Blue Lobster and what does the company do?

Blue Lobster is a digital marketplace for seafood, we connect fishermen using sustainable equipment directly with customers. Right now, we are mostly focusing on larger B2B customers, with

restaurants being our largest customer segment. Our biggest mission is to create an economic incentive for fishermen to apply sustainable practices, as we believe the green transition won’t be successful before there is an economic incentive driving it forward. When we got into the industry there was no reason for anyone to use sustainable methods, because no one was paying a higher price for it. The idea for the company sparked from my American cofounder asking about where all the fresh fish was, as she expected Denmark to have a ton, because we are surrounded by oceans everywhere. The fact that most seafood was old

and quite expensive made us curious, so we literally went down to harbors knocking on boats and asking fishermen what they get paid for their fish and who they sell it to. Looking at this, we discovered a very inefficient supply chain with the produce trading hands five or six times before reaching the final buyer. After talking to every expert we could find, we found out that if we could fix the expensive transport, and only have one step between fishermen and final customer we could decrease co2 emissions from transport and offer the fishermen a price premium. The power to pay fishermen about twice what they would normally get gave us a lot of power, which we decided to use in a responsible way, choosing to exclusively work with the fishermen using the most sustainable methods and equipment.

Did you always have entrepreneurial aspirations, or did they develop at a specific point?

I didn’t actively know that I had entrepreneurial aspirations, but I started my first company when I was sixteen in high school. We were too young to have our own bank account and CVR number, so we did it through my friend’s parents, who cofounded the company with me, and I loved it. I thought it was fun, and we made money, were able to hire part time workers, get an intern and things were good. We stopped when we thought it was time to get a “real job” or like a “real education” and get serious with life. But generally, I never thought of myself as an entrepreneur, I just loved creating stuff, I love starting something from scratch. However, when I was at CBS I thought I would end up working for the UN or as a consultant. It was when some of my friends and CBS started creating companies that I thought “I’d love to do that!”.

You’ve had a great deal of success at a relatively young age, has it all been sunshine and rainbows, or has the journey been a bit more challenging than that?

I think it’s always ironic when you’re watching other people’s journeys that it seems super easy, but I think very few journeys are, at least mine certainly wasn’t. We were trying to get into a very established industry and disrupt it, which meant that a lot of traditional players didn’t want us to succeed and that at the start, no one wanted to partner with us. As no one wanted to drive the fish for us, we had to get our own van and drive it ourselves. Another example is that the fishermen buying from us received threats akin to “if you work with Blue Lobster you’re going to get alienated from the industry”. Our team members were also threatened at certain times, and we experienced having our fish stolen and being told that it was a consequence of us trying to address the issues in the industry. In retrospect I’ve started to realize how much shit we had to deal with, a fun example was at one of the big old school wholesalers the CEO would come out where everyone was working and be like “today we’re going to fuck up those Blue Lobster girls, come on!” and use that as a sort of rallying cry. We knew this because some friends of ours used to work there. Finally, Covid and the way it affected the restaurant industry has been a big existentially challenge to the company, as it happened right around the time we got investment on board in 2020.

”In retrospect I’ve started to realize how much shit we had to deal with”

Has taking your master’s degree in IBP helped you in some of your ventures, what have you been able to take from it?

I think IBP was the perfect program for starting Blue Lobster, because we are working with fish which is a very regulated resource. It is a common good and fishermen are therefore bound by quotas set at an EU level and then issued down by Denmark. We’ve been in touch with the fishing ministry and built out new technologies to report all the catches of fishes correctly to the ministry. It has also been funny to see the things I read about in IBP play out in practice exactly as they did theoretically when studying about them.

Finally, if you had to give aspiring entrepreneurs one piece of advice what would it be?

It’s a good question, and I feel like I answer it differently depending on the day I’m asked. I think a common mistake is to wait for too long before testing your idea. The reason for this is that you can sit in your own head, or with a partner, and talk about how perfect this idea is for months, but if you can’t communicate it to customers and get them to commit, then you’re never going to build a business. Another common mistake is for people to be afraid that someone will steal their idea, this happens so rarely, and is a large misconception in the startup environment. Go out and speak to people, because instead of having people steal the idea, what is most likely is that they’ll say, “You know what, I know someone you should talk to”. To distill my advice down to its core, firstly just get started, and start talking to customers quickly, secondly ask for help, people in the Danish ecosystem are so friendly, and finally find people who compliment your skillset and that you don’t mind spending all your time with, because you will see this person more than anyone else.

"It has also been funny to see the things I read about in IBP play out in practice exactly as they did theoretically when studying about them"

Internship at the Danish Embassy in London

WITH

JAKOB NØRGAARD

Are you interested in diplomacy and foreign affairs, or are you thinking about doing an internship during your bachelor of IBP? Jakob Nørgaard is currently studying a MSc in IBP. As part of his BSc in IBP, he did an internship at the Danish Embassy in London. He shares his thoughts, experiences, and tips for students who are interested in becoming an intern themselves. He gives insight into his day-to-day life at the Danish Embassy and how it is to live in a city like London. If you are curious about how to make friends in a foreign city or want to hear the best application tips first-hand – so read along.

By Helen Hummel

Why did you choose to do an internship at the Danish Embassy in London during your IBP bachelor?

Right from the beginning of my studies at CBS, I have been excited about the possibility to go abroad. Such experience would fit perfectly into the IBP profile that I was seeking. Thus, I applied for exchange on my bachelor’s. I got offered a spot in Melbourne, but then it got cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I was extremely frustrated and thought about my possibilities at hand going forward. I became aware of peers who were interning Danish representations around the world and got inspired to follow suit. I ended up postponing the hand-in of my bachelor project as enrolment at a university is required to be eligible for becoming an intern at a Danish Embassy. I really wanted to

pursue this experience, so I ended up applying for multiple internship positions around the world. I got an offer from the Danish Embassy in London which was fantastic. Besides the experience abroad that I had been seeking for some time, the internship was also a unique possibility to apply my knowledge from IBP in an exciting and relevant work environment, which was very motivating.

How was the application procedure for you?

Since I knew that I really wanted to become an intern at a Danish Embassy, I was quite structured about the process and started out by looking at a world map showing the different locations of Danish representations. Based on this map, I was asking myself which representations I found parti-

cularly interesting and went to the respective website to find the job post. For example, I went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website for the United Kingdom to find information about the internship positions at the representation in London (link). As it usually works, I submitted my application and got invited to an interview for an internship position in London. The virtual interview only lasted for 30 minutes by which I got the opportunity to hear more about the organisation/position and elaborate on my motivation. The day after the interview, they called me and offered the position.

Life Science Conference, Innovate Finance Global Conference and London Fintech Week. It was really cool to experience different venues in London, and meeting some of the smartest people in the world. My workload varied quite a lot since some periods were busy with several activities going on at the same time. On average, however, my working hours were primarily from 9am to 5pm.

What expectations did you have going into this internship?

I knew it was going to be a once in a lifetime experience, and since I had never tried anything like this before I was possessing an open mindset. Although, to be a bit more concrete, I was expecting a steep learning curve by becoming an integrated part of the organisation and work on real (business) cases. I knew it was going to be an incredible experience, so I had high expectations about learning a lot both professionally and personally.

How was it to live in a city like London? Did you have a hard time settling in and finding friends? Especially the housing situation in London is known to be tough. How did you manage to find a place to live?

Can you describe your day-to-day life at the Danish Embassy in London?

At the embassy, I was part of the department Invest in Denmark (IDK), which is Denmark’s national investment promotion agency. IDK is assisting foreign companies looking to set up or expand business or research activities in Denmark. I worked across a number of key industries including life science, food, defense, tech and cleantech where I assisted full-time Investment Managers. My working tasks were to identify potential investors, attend virtual and physical meetings with investors, write minutes of meetings, prepare benchmark analysis, organize round tables and events in the Ambassador’s residence among other things. Sometimes I also got the possibility to attend conferences in London including the Anglonordic

It was amazing to live in London. I loved it. I never got bored because so much was happening all the time. It was not hard finding friends because we were a group of eight interns at the Danish Embassy in London, and we did all sorts of things together. For example, we went to pubs, concerts, museums, restaurants, football, tennis and trips to Edinburgh and Cardiff together, and it was a blast. Since I also wanted to meet locals, I decided to play badminton in a club in London. The people in the badminton club were very welcoming and I ended up hanging out with them outside the court as well. The housing market in London is indeed messy. It is incredibly expensive to find something decent. However, I was lucky in the sense that I overtook a room from a former intern. It is always a good idea to seek advice from someone who has tried something similar before. If you end up in a similar situation, I can only advise you to reach out and ask how they managed to find a place to live.

What was your favourite moment during the internship?

One of my favourite moments during the internship was to participate in the event London Fintech Week. It was very inspiring to be listening to some of the brightest minds talking about how their Fintech solutions could solve the problems of tomorrow. The venue was gorgeous, and the entire experience reminded me of the British culture. Something I will not forget. If I should mention other incredible moments, it would be the guided tour of the British Parliament as well as all the different cultural events in and around London such as concerts, football, Wimbledon, etc. Altogether, it was just super exciting to be part of the embassy because so much was going on all the time.

With the knowledge you have now, would you still choose to take the internship position today if given the chance?

Anytime. It has been one of the most rewarding times in my life. I have learnt so much from the internship position in London. And most importantly, I have made friendships for life.

If you could give one piece of advice to other students wanting to apply at the Danish Embassy in London, what would it be?

Ask yourself why you want to become an intern at the Danish Embassy in London. It is important to be driven because it is a long process that requires a lot of research. The application deadline is usually five months prior to the internship as some time is needed to get all kind of things sorted such as the required security clearance. Be organised about the whole process and talk to people who have some sort of experience. Inputs would help you better understand what you are going into and shape your profile to increase the likelihood of being selected.

Can you see yourself working in a job like this after you finished your studies?

Yes, absolutely. It was super meaningful to assist foreign companies getting a foothold in Denmark. Therefore, I applied for a student assistant position in IDK at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Denmark, where I am currently part of the tech team. I really enjoy my current position and in the future, I want to become a diplomat.

Last but not least, what is your biggest takeaway?

It was just surreal to be living in London for half a year. Besides all the learnings that I have gotten from the experience, my biggest takeaway is a new perspective on life. If you are motivated to become an intern at a Danish Embassy in London, I would be happy to elaborate on some of my answers or reply to more specific questions you might have. Moreover, if you are looking for recommendations in London, I would also be happy to share my list of great places to visit. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn (link).

CAN YOU DO IT ALL?

AN ELECTION’S TALE

By Emma Solgård Rasmussen and Kari Grov

Before the summer Casper Øhlers was IBP Magazine’s Human of the Issue, and if you didn’t know him at the time, you have probably seen his face on posters all over Copenhagen this fall as he ran for Danish Parliament. Even before the announcement of Denmark’s parliamentary election, IBPers have asked themselves how Casper had enough hours in a day to study, work and be so involved in the Conservative party. Through the intense months of September and October, one could follow the ups and downs of campaigning and debating on Casper’s social media, and many are left wondering how he got through it all.

The preparations for the election started before the summer when doing summer school to ease the workload during the fall and election. “I did summer school and worked full time at Nykredit during summer to be able to quit my job in August and have enough money to live for during the campaign. That was quite stressful. I was quite frank with my professors in the two courses I had during the fall semester about my absence when elections came. It ended up working out quite well”.

Making time in the CBS schedule for an election campaign is not straightforward, and shows his commitment to politics. Casper says that the reason he has gotten so involved with politics is because he didn’t see enough climate action, youth representation, and LGBT-justice in the Danish Parliament. “Sometimes the best motivation to do something, is to realize no one else will do it if you don’t” he concluded. However politics is not an easy game to play, and what surprised the new politician the most was the amount of work spent campaigning. With crazy hours and constant stress, management consultants have nothing on parliamentary candidates, Casper pointed out. “The hours are crazy and the stress factor of seeing your face around town for four weeks is horrendous - yet extremely exciting and motivating at the same time”.

Not only is it demanding for the candidate to run for election, but also the candidate’s wallet - especially a student wallet! When asked about how he was able to finance a whole election campaign, Casper thanked IBPers and other friends who contributed to his micro-fundraiser. Companies and private donors have also helped him financially, but like many third-year students, he had saved up some money for an exciting fifth semester. While many students’ savings were spent on a semester abroad, Casper spent it on posters, flyers, and everything else that comes with a campaign.

The highlights of the election were according to Casper debating tax policy in the political TV show Deadline on DR. As well as a debate that was live streamed on TikTok and the national evening news at the same time. “Lastly, all the debates at dorms were fun because of the intimate and cozy vibe. Simply because meeting the young people I tried to represent was so meaningful”.

Digging deeper into the question of how the IBPer got through the stress and anxiety of campaigning, the constant adrenaline made him numb or protected him from feeling too stressed. However, Casper describes the weeks after November first as being burnt out, with a constant feeling of being hungover. Maybe not too surprising when witnessing his politician life through Instagram. Being a politician also comes with the struggle of always having to be the best version of yourself. After a minimum of partying due to a busy schedule and the fear of being caught on camera with a bit too much alcohol in his blood, Casper actually missed clubbing something surprising to himself. So December and January have been payback time with regards to clubbing he shoots in, “it’s been a bit too lit haha”.

However, the election did not scare the new politician away and he is excited to try again in four years when he has more real-life experience from his new job. According to Casper, working now for Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Foundation on CO2-reduction projects in Denmark is the perfect combination of business and politics. With the hands-on experience of how to actually reach Denmark’s CO2-reduction targets and the lessons he learned from the election, he hopes to stand even stronger.

Lastly, Casper’s tips to IBPers on a hectic schedule who are playing it big is to be nice to yourself and fake your self-confidence. “You (probably) did your best”, and when it comes to networking it “works best if both people feel like they are equal - not in rank or seniority but in confidence and interest. So bullshit your confidence if it’s lacking in the beginning”.

IBP CASE COMPETITION

By Valdemar Hedegaard

The inaugural edition of the International Business and Politics Case Competition (IBPCC) reached its much-anticipated finale on November 11th, where 12 teams from IBP came together to showcase their innovative ideas and battle it out for the ultimate prize of 8.000 DKK. The competition was intense, as each team brought their A-game and showcased their business acumen and knowledge of current political and business issues. The stage was set for an unforgettable showdown, as the teams did their very best within only 24 hours and still managed to present innovative ideas that left the judges and audience in awe.

The winning team, Team Buzzword, consisting of Sofie Andersen, Lars Laugesen, Victor Wersinger, and Brendan Walsh, presented an innovative concept of revolutionizing and digitalizing meal planning and shopping. Their idea not only showcased their creativity but also their understanding of the current market and its needs. They proposed a solution that would streamline the meal planning and grocery shopping process for young consumers, using cutting-edge technology to make it more efficient and convenient. In addition to this, their proposal included an environmentally friendly aspect, which would reduce the carbon footprint of the consumer.

The finale was held at the headquarters of PwC in Hellerup, where the students were treated to snacks, drinks, and networking opportunities. After the event, the audience and finalists were transported to the heart of Copenhagen for additional networking activities, providing a perfect opportunity for the students to connect with industry professionals. The event proved to be a success for both the audience and participants in the case competition itself.

The IBPCC serves as a platform for young, ambitious individuals to showcase their talents and ideas, and the committee is excited to make it an annual tradition. The competition proved to be a great opportunity for students to gain practical experience, showcase their talents, and connect with industry professionals, making it a must-attend event for IBP’ers.

The winning team, Team Buzzword, not only took home the prize but also the admiration of the jury and the attendees. Their proposal was not only innovative and practical but also environmentally conscious, making it a stand-out among the competition. We can’t wait to see what the next edition of the competition will bring. Rumor has it that the next competition will feature a surprise that will take the competition to the next level.

IBPCC is proud to host such a prestigious event and they and their partners are look forward to seeing more of the next generation of business leaders and politicians rise to the challenge. The competition is a great opportunity for students to gain practical experience, showcase their talents, and connect with industry professionals, making it a must-attend event for invested students. So, mark your calendars, and join them next year for an exciting and intellectually stimulating experience.

By Caroline Andersen and Simone Birkebæk Agger

Are you also tired of looking for the perfect first date? It can, at times, be very frustrating, which is why we have gathered some first-date ideas that we really enjoy.

Firstly, we have Camping Kødbyen, a minigolf bar. This is a great place for talking whilst participating in an activity and maybe enjoying a couple of drinks ;) You cannot reserve a spot, so make sure to be there earlier or be ready to wait a bit.

During the summer, a stroll in Kongenshave or the Botanical garden, or lunch/dinner at Reffen are also really nice and chill.

Walks with coffee and baked goods are also great for conversation. Here are some of our favorites: Juno, Andersen & Maillard, Buka, and Hart Bageri.

REVIEWS

FIND YOUR NEXT BOOK TO READ OR MOVIE TO WATCH!

The young model couple Carl and Yaya is invited to a holiday on a luxury cruise. Mingling with Russian oligarchs, British weapon dealers and Swedish tech millionaires, they are immersed in the world of the super-rich. Out on the crystal blue water, the whimsical guests gets all of their wishes fulfilled by the ever-so-patient staff. At the same time, the alcoholic, Marxist captain is taking refuge in his suite. But there are not only blue skies on the horizon. A storm is brewing and just in time for the captain’s dinner, hell breaks loose. Soon the ship, its social hierarchies and everybody’s stomachs are all turned upside down. Washed up on the shore of a desert island, the survivors find themselves in a new reality where everything but money is the currency you need to survive.

That is a glimpse into Ruben Östlund's latest movie, the black comedy Triangle of Sadness. For almost three hours, Östlund brings the audience on a spectacular and very intense journey. The movie is split into three acts. The first one focuses on the relationship between Carl and Yaya and brings up discussions of gender roles and money. The second act takes place on the luxury yacht and includes, among many humorous scenes, the infamous 15 minutes of… seasickness. The third act is set on a deserted island. Where movies this long usually tend to feel forced - time flew by with this one. I found myself constantly entertained and fully immersed in the story. Östlund succeeds in involving the watcher, making the absurd scenes

TRIANGLE OF SADNESS AVATAR - THE WAY OF WATER

feel strangely intimate and equally unsettling. By making the stressful sound of a windshield a little louder than needed, or tilting the camera along with the waves when the storm hits the boat, tension escalates in the story and brings you along. As usual for Östlund movies, you are always a bit uncomfortable, always on the edge of your seat. Östlund, beginning his film career filming ski stunts, comes from a tradition of pushing every scene to its limits, something very much evident in Triangle of Sadness. He holds you captive to his strange imagination and at least in my opinion, being immersed in his bizarre universe is worth the expensive cinema ticket. The movie is bold, funny and completely wild. If you’re up for the adventure - go see it.

In the enchanting world of Pandora, a decade has passed since the events of the first Avatar film. Jake Sully, the protagonist of the first movie, has now raised a family with Neytiri and is the clan leader of one of the Na’vi forest tribes. Their peaceful life is disrupted when the star people, aka the evil human colonizers, once again are looking for trouble. A mission led by human soldiers as Na’vi avatars is sent out to eliminate Jake. Seeking to protect their tribe and stay hidden, the Sully family exiles themselves and retreats to the coast, given refuge by a reef clan. By the sea, the family has to adapt to a new way of life and as they deal with unruly sea creatures and conflicts with the other clan, the humans are getting closer and closer…

The wait is over. After 13 years, the much anticipated Avatar sequel has hit cinemas. Faced with countless delays and staggering expectations, the release of this movie has not gone unnoticed. Director James Cameron, known for Titanic and the Terminator franchise, has made a name for himself as an ambitious filmmaker - Avatar 2 is not an exception. The movie is beautiful and the visual effects are so impressive you almost forgive Cameron for those 13 years. You can see the visual work put into this movie and I definitely think it should be recognized as a technical achievement. However, for me, that initial fascination steadily ebbed out as the movie progressed. To be honest, I did not find the plot of this movie intriguing at all. The rather predictable storyline could in my opinon not really carry the 192 minutes that the movie goes

on for. However, you can sense that Cameron's intention with the plot is to establish a universe of the Na'vi people and to build a generational story of the Sully family. The goal might not be to surprise us with unique twists and turns of events, but rather to nurture and deepen our understanding of the Avatar universe. That is the perspective that I think you should go in with when watching Avatar 2. Then, you might be more equipped than I was to have a rewarding experience of this movie. However, it should be said that it really is a cinematic happening, a movie that deserves praise for revolutionary visual effects. A movie that, if you’re the tiniest bit intrigued, will want to see for yourself to make up your mind about. I know a lot of people love and care about this movie so please, do not let the 3 hours or dreadful Papyrus subtitles scare you away!

Leila Osvald

Leila Osvald

WHEN MCKINSEY COMES TO TOWN

“The difference between Enron and McKinsey”, a McKinsey consultant claims, “is our values.” When McKinsey Comes Town’s ambition is nothing short of an attempt at tearing down the institutional behemoth is McKinsey. Their aim reaches beyond just showing a dissonance between their stated values and practices where most exposes tend to stop, as even their technical prowess is cast in doubt.

They drove Wall Street to the securitization processes that led to the crisis in ’08, they ruined insurance and they caused the opioid crisis. They hide behind euphemisms as mass layoffs are veiled under terms as “right-sizing” and slick slide-decks instructing organisations how to reorganise from the ground up. While their process brings short-term profits, the picture the authors paint is one of coming disaster. And if it does not, they advise their competitors shortly thereafter with the exact same strategy.

It is not so much a legacy institution sticking to a clear set of values they have had enshrined since their inception as much as it is a corporate hit-man serving whomever shakes their money bag and pays their exorbitant fees. The prodigious M.B.As straight from Harvard or other Ivy League schools choose McKinsey exactly for their values, but time and time again the authors present them as meaningless and but a veil to hide from criticism, always subordinated to the principle of serving their client. The strategy is the same: accidentally help a few authoritarian regimes assembling, say, a hit-list of their most prominent critics as in Saudi Arabia to showcase the effectiveness of their cutting-edge sentiment analysis, then apologise profusely and double down on their supposed values.

Once those idealistic, bright-eyed M.B.A graduates realise it, they are subtly forced into conforming. Officially, a McKinsey consultant is allowed to turn down any consulting task they want, but internally they are quite aware of the spectre of punishment through the negative performance reviews it entails. The authors recount not one, not two, but three separate employees pulling a literal Jerry Maguire and mass-emailing manifestos against existing partnerships.

But despite the authors stacking example after example, it seems unlikely that this book will convince those not already sharing the authors’ clear contempt for McKinsey. Despite their attempts to get behind the veil of secrecy covering this company, there is no silver bullet that can truly and unequivocally motivate the complete condemnation of McKinsey. The book verges on appearing as nothing more than yet another polemic rambling of a capitalism run amok. There are seldom any clear ties between McKinsey and the crises they link to. While the stories are harrowing, those defending McKinsey can easily maintain plausible deniability. The cohesive thread is just expose after expose of “McKinsey came, crisis ensued”. While narratively effective for the first few chapters, the structure grows tired by the end as you drag yourself through yet another chapter though this time about their involvement in the hollowing out of the NHS instead of Disneyland.

The mosaics painted when “McKinsey comes to town” are skilfully and are overall narratively well-executed, but on the whole, they lack the impact expected by the authors and the book rapidly grows repetitive. The conclusion the authors seem to want to provide the reader is that for all their supposed values, their carefully crafted image of an upstanding institution, they merely represent the “banality of evil, M.B.A edition”.

REGARDING CALCULATION OF VOLUME I

Have you ever thought about what it would be like, if you were stuck in the same day? To be honest, I haven’t given it much thought before I read the book “Regarding calculation of volume”, written by the Danish author Solvej Balle. However, after having read the book, I have not been able to escape the thought, what would I do, if the same day kept repeating itself? Probably the same as the first-person narrator of the novel, Tara Selter, who finds herself stuck in the same day. More specifically, the 18th of November. After a business trip to Bordeaux, she returns to her home in the fictive city of Clairon-sous-Bois in the Northern part of France, where she lives with her husband Thomas. Together they run an antiquity bookstore and share a happy and undramatic life, or at least until they get separated by time. Unlike Tara, Thomas cannot remember that the 18th of November has occurred multiple times, and unless Tara intervenes in his day, it will follow the same pattern. Each day they can have different experiences together, but when they wake up in the morning his memory of the former day is deleted, and he is of the conviction that he is about to experience the first 18th of November. In the beginning, Tara is patient and as they wake up every morning, she is forced to explain the situation to Thomas. Together they try to understand the breach of time and work intensively together to come up with a proper solution to the problem.

Nevertheless, as the 18th of November keeps repeating itself and approaches 365 repetitions, she begins to lose hope. Even though she physically can be together with her husband, they are divided by two times, and they can never create new memories together.

To find out the rest of the plot, and whether it will ever be the 19th of November for Tara Selter, you will have to read the book yourself. Otherwise you could always ask me, I’m happy to share my excitement of the book with you. And don’t be frightened about the title of the book, you don’t need a math degree in order to read it. The book is without a doubt one of the most interesting books I have ever read. Luckily this is only the first book out of a series of seven. I have already started reading the second one, and it’s definitely not disappointing. I will end my review by giving the book 5 out of 5 globes and with my favourite quote of novel “The days flow, and I’m flowing with them. I wake up and follow the pattern, and before I notice it, the day is over”. I hope you feel inspired to read the book yourself.

Oscar Julius Adserballe

CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE

Arendt’s essays are always about more than their title would suggest. This essay, as the rest under the collection of the Crises of the Republic, is perhaps the most faithful to her credo “to think what we are doing.”

The essay centres on rescuing the place of the civil disobedient’s appeal from Henry David Thoreau’s subjective conscience that served as the motivation for so many during the protest of the late 60’s when she wrote it. But looking deeper, it is an account of a particular view of democracy and what she saw as the spirit of the American system. In the act of civil disobedience lies the confirmation of the promise and consent inherent in the American system. Civil disobedience paradoxically affirms the general system of laws in its attempt to refound it.

While the Lockean subject could justify his disobedience with an “appeal to heaven” or Antigone her disobedience to Creon invoking a tragic vow to the Gods to bury her brother, such defences are rendered incoherent as natural law loses its place. So too does Thoreau’s argument for civil disobedience unravel as his invocation of conscience seems hopelessly self-indulgent: the individual’s motive is wholly private, opaque to the broader community and can only show its truthfulness in an ultimately self-defeating act of self-sacrifice. The civil disobedients, then, are instead cast as another kind interest group who can appeal to the common opinion of the group. The community of the interests they represent appears as the last remnant of the moral associa-

tions Tocqueville saw as the bedrock of the American system. Civil disobedience itself “is compatible with the spirit of American laws” she states, as she advocates for constitutional protection of civil disobedience.

Stylistically, it is as Arendtian as any of her other works - including the nearly excessive use of foreign languages, as you are always reaching out for a dictionary to translate the obscure Latin or Greek phrases that often evoke an image so central that missing it compromises one’s whole reading. As her essays are prone to be, it is dense and the difficulty of reading satisfactorily is immense. There are countless allusions and references as she builds on a conceptual apparatus she has built up through the rest of her works, notably “The Human Condition” in this one. Arendt restlessly shifts lenses, as the essay goes in one breath from legal analysis to Kantian aesthetics all with a clear phenomenological tint. But in the end, it is no doubt worth bearing through for a highly original and idiosyncratic understanding of the nature of consent, of morality, politics and the very nature of citizenship and participatory democracy.

The recent revival of this essay pointing towards apparent surges in civil disobedience to explain its relevancy miss the broader picture. Arendt’s Civil Disobedience is about more than explaining the phenomenon of civil disobedience. At the heart of it is a timeless account of the underlying nature of democratic politics and how it can deal with change.

SOPHIE’S WORLD

“Sophie’s World” is a novel written by the Norwegian author, Jostein Gaarder, in 1991. The novel explores the history of philosophy through the eyes of its teenage protagonist, Sophie Amundsen. The book begins with Sophie receiving a series of letters in the mail that introduce her to the subject of philosophy. The letters are sent by an enigmatic figure named Alberto Knox, who becomes her teacher and guides her through the history of Western philosophy, from ancient Greece to the present day. As Sophie studies the various philosophers and their ideas, she also becomes embroiled in a mystery involving her own past and the identity of Alberto Knox. Therefore, if you are interested in exploring the topics of PET further, and in a more fictional way, the book is definitely a good fit for you. The novel explores a wide range of philosophical ideas and covers many of the major philosophers and movements, including figures such as Socrates, Descartes, Nietzsche, and many others. One of the main themes of the novel is the concept of reality, and how different philosophers have understood it throughout history. For example, Sophie studies the idea of the “cogito” proposed by Descartes, which states that the only thing that can be certain is one’s own existence, and that all other knowledge must be built upon this foundation. She also looks at the idea of the “world as will and representation” put

forward by Schopenhauer, which posits that the world is essentially a projection of the individual’s will. Furthermore, the book touches upon the relationship between the individual and society, many of you have probably included the same topics in your PET exam. In the book, Sophie learns about the ancient Greek concept of the “polis”, or the ideal society, and how it relates to the individual. Additionally, she also studies the ideas of Marx and Engels, who argue that society is shaped by economic forces and that true self is only possible in a socialist society.

Overall, with the book is a perfect fit for IBP students who wish to dive further into political and economic thought. I read the book for the first time around eight years ago, but I recently revisited the book, and I don’t regret it. The book invites the reader to think and reflect on the questions that have been asked by philosophers throughout history, and it’s a great way to discover the richness and diversity of human thought. It’s a true classic in popular philosophy and I will reward it with 5 out of 5 globes.

Oscar Julius Adserballe Heidi

Recap of Social Life at IBP

By Eline Kiirdal Ludvigsen & Clara Moimini Jørgensen

2022 has brought with it some amazing moments, and since we left you last, the IBP Union has continued to create an abundance of events for us all to enjoy. So, it is only appropriate that we give you an opportunity to look back on some of them. To reminisce about the good times this semester has brought along, and to forget the last few weeks filled with the stress of a daunting exam period... On that note, please enjoy this little recap of the amazing social life we are lucky to experience here at IBP.

June 14th

Gala

The atmosphere at the annual IBP Gala was characterized by wide summer smiles and light post-exam hearts. After powering through the spring semester, the IBP Gala was the perfect opportunity for all IBP’ers to get dressed up and celebrate each other and the beginning of an amazing summer. At Søpavillonen we enjoyed each other’s company at dinner and danced until we dropped!

August 22-26th

Intro week

For the newly arrived IBP’ers, along with their amazing tutors, the semester was kicked off with a week of fun, well-planned activities and parties. This year’s theme ‘A glamorous night in Hollywood’ certainly fulfilled its promises. From Wednesday’s BBQ at Nørrebro to Thursday’s IBP Olympics where all freshies got to show off their athletic skills, the week was anything but lacking in excitement. After having defied rain and beaten some obstacles, the week came to an end at Chateau Motel with plenty of opportunity to socialize across yeargroups.

January

Tour de Chambre

Is there a better way to get to know the new first-year IBP’ers than with a Tour de Chambre? We don’t think so! With amazing themes and signature drinks planned at every stop, the scene was set for an amazing night. The end destination was at Allegade 11 where every group met up and continued the fun all the way through the night.

September 16th

Halloween party

As an IBP first, we met up with IB and DM students at the newly-opened club KB III for a scary night with spooky costumes and a lot of dancing. A fun way to branch out to some of the other programs. Maybe something we will see more of this upcoming semester?

Election night with Djøf

In true IBP spirit, students from the program gathered at Bootleggers to follow the exciting election of a new Danish government. Not only did we get to enjoy a fun Kahoot on Danish politics and the delicious (and might we add “free”) pizza sponsored by Djøf. Most importantly the event provided a nice break from the daily routines of uni and work. Thanks to IBP Social for making our daily lives even more fun and filled with great memories!

October 28th

November 1st

September 30th

Friday bar

A red carpet might have been appropriate as this semester’s Friday Bar was filled with famous attendees when we all gathered up mid-semester for a well-deserved break from extensive studying. The cheap beer, amazing costumes and a great atmosphere proved to be the recipe for a perfect night.

January 2023

Absalon communal dinner

IBP communal dinners at Absalon turn out to be a true success time after time - and no wonder why. The food is great and the atmo sphere is magical. This time we were served an amazing veggie-lasagna and Absalon’s sig nature focaccia-style bread. Absalon’s dining hall has true “højskole-vibes’’ which leave some with a fuzzy feeling of nostalgia, and others with an energizing feeling of comra dery. As such, these dinners present a great opportunity to make new friends across year-groups at IBP.

November 15th

November 18th

Fall dinner x Chateau Motel

Another IBP tradition was upheld again this year, with exams looming on the horizon, a break was highly appreciated. As our wonderful hosts provided delicious dinners for all, we later met up at Chateau Motel with the other groups to continue the fun. All-in-all, another successful Fall Dinner with fantastic socializing across the year-groups.

Credits and contribubtors

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Amanda Kierkegaard Brandgaard and Leila Osvald

WRITERS

Amanda Kierkegaard Brandgaard, Caroline Andersen, Clara Moimini

Jørgensen, David Thomassen, Eline Kiirdal Ludvigsen, Emma Solgård Rasmussen, Valdemar Hedegaard, Heidi Elung Henningsen, Helen Hummel, Kari Grov, Tania González Horstmann, Leila Osvald, Oscar Julius Adserballe and Simone Bierkebæk Agger.

LAYOUT DESIGN

CONTRIBUTORS AND INTERVIWEES

Mathias Christensen, Sidsel Storm Mogensen, Cecilie Anna Næsby, Jella Pfahler, Gregers Schøler Hjort, Alex James Smith, Ayca Uygur Wessel, Cecilia Zade Iseni, Sara Lind Arlaud, Louise Dohm Mogensen, Andreas Løvengreen, Sofie Andersen, Nima Tisdall, Jakob Nørgaard and Casper Øhlers.