Business Administration

Isabella D. Abolrous Alumni Story (USA, Estonia) 

The summer before I began my bachelor's degree, one of my aunts told me, “I’m so excited for you, Isabella. These are going to be the best three years of your life.” While I don’t know what the future holds, I can confidently say that the last three years at Tartu have been some of the most memorable and transformative of my life.

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There were two main reasons why I decided to study in the business administration program: 

First, I was curious about the opportunities a business degree could offer to someone with big ideas like mine. Second, it felt like a safe and stable choice. I knew that understanding economics would always be valuable, and amidst some uncertainty about the future, I wanted a solid foundation to build upon. 

My study experience was colorful—fun and adventurous, with its fair share of highs and lows (mostly highs). It required dedication and hard work, but I wouldn’t have spent those three years anywhere else. While some courses felt too easy and others overwhelmingly difficult, I made it through. However, the heart of my university experience wasn’t just the academics. While academics played a significant role, they came second to the relationships I formed with the people around me. 

I spent most of my time at the modern Delta Center, studying the challenging and interesting topics of the program. Yet, what truly made the experience memorable were the moments of joy and camaraderie shared with others; from exchange student events and Erasmus gatherings to faculty-organized activities and student days celebrations. Collaborating with peers and engaging in social events enriched my life in ways no course ever could. Ultimately, it was the people and those shared experiences that defined my time at university.

 I once told my sister that if I were to land anywhere in Europe, in any country, it would feel like home because of the friends I now have across the continent. And for that, I have Tartu to thank. It’s not just a university or a city, it’s a place that shapes who you are and stays with you forever.

I joined the university investing club, where I explored event photography and organization. I tutored two master’s programs, where I helped foreign students adjust to life in Estonia. Representing the business administration program of 2024 in the student council taught me the power of public speaking and advocacy. I gave countless tours to prospective students, their families, and visiting lecturers, proudly sharing what made our university special. I helped out with different advertisements for the university. I would always go upstairs to the 4th floor in the Delta building and knock on the marketing team’s door and ask them if there were any new projects to help out with. I had the chance to do different podcasts and interviews with different university lecturers. One of my biggest highlights was when I participated as a moderator and panelist in Delta Trends Day 2023. I felt so proud sitting alongside global specialists while video chatting with experts from Singapore and Canada about the topics of AI.

If there’s one piece of advice I could give anybody, it’s to be as outgoing as possible, and I know that may be hard for some people because not everyone is born an extrovert, but it all starts with being friendly and giving everybody a smile and soon you’ll realize that everyone else is also friendly and they will also greet you with a smile and that’s where everything starts.

This program, and generally, this university, gave me an understanding of myself: who I am, what I want to do, and who I wanna be, and that is the most valuable thing that I took from these three years in this city. One of the things I knew I wanted was to deliver the final speech at our graduation ceremony, standing on that stage as the one chosen to speak was the cherry on top of all those years in Tartu.

I am now building my business as an executive clothier, specializing in bespoke suits. My job revolves around building client relationships, which is something I had a lot of practice in at the university - through teamwork, collaboration, and developing emotional intelligence. 

My major takeaway is this: participate and be present. Acknowledge where you are, why you’re there, and who you are, and that’s how you’ll make the best of it. Be open to new experiences, greet others with a smile, and embrace the opportunities that come your way. Life at Tartu taught me that it all begins with a friendly gesture. Soon, you’ll find that the world mirrors that warmth back to you.