Sofiia Iagotska

In two weeks, I learned how to build financial statements from scratch, read them, create financial ratios, and analyze them.

I am an undergraduate student at IE University, pursuing Economics. As I was finishing my first year and combining it with work at PwC in assurance, I felt the need to deepen my understanding of finance fundamentals.

I began researching different opportunities online, and HEC Paris quickly caught my attention. I particularly liked the variety of programs, but in my case, it was a double-edged sword, as I could not pick one. To clarify all the details, I booked a meeting with the Recruitment Manager, who helped me pick the program I then attended - Accounts and Restructuring.

I recall calling my mum after a few days at HEC Paris, saying, “I feel like my brain is about to melt, but I love it”. The program is intense, but thanks to Professor Olivier Levyne, all the classes were fun and easy to keep up with. Guest speakers gave different perspectives on the same topic, which greatly enriched the academic experience. For instance, the accounting behind the biggest financial crimes, or how the financial goals of big corporations can lead to bankruptcy. In two weeks, I learned how to build 3 financial statements from scratch, read them, create financial ratios, and analyze them.

However, the HEC Paris experience would not be so great without the people I met there. Of course, a modern campus, delicious food at the canteen, and great views made the HEC Paris Summer Program a great two weeks, but what made it special was the sense of community. You are getting to spend this time with people who are academic weapons during the day and the funniest people during the evening. The facilities and the events allow you to meet people from all the programs and interact with diverse, sharp, motivated minds, that know for sure why they are there.

It was so special to find true friends in under two weeks and combine such an academically demanding environment with so much fun and memorable moments. When I reflect back, I sometimes think that I was just lucky to meet all these wonderful people, but as Seneca once said, “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity” and I am confident in saying that HEC Paris is exactly the opportunity that like-minded people are not afraid to grab.
 

Find out more about this Summer Program