I wanted to attend the Swiss Finance Academy because it would give me first hand exposure to a variety of fields and help to pave my way in this industry. I constantly strive to surround myself with the greatest minds in the fields I am interested in. From an early age I recognized the importance of developing mentors. This mindset had a strong influence on my decision to attend Swiss Finance’s intensive summer program. It was evident from their backgrounds that the instructors had a huge amount of experience, and I was excited about being able to get their candid views about working in asset management.Also, I thrive on competitive team projects so I liked the fact that group projects and presentations are an important part of the curriculum. In investment banking and asset management (my passion) you are often compelled to work with other people to achieve results so it was important for me to find a summer program that not only taught quantitative skills like advanced M&A modeling and valuation, but also focused on soft skills like leadership.
My thoughts about the financial markets have definitely changed since attending Swiss Finance Academy. Starting on Day 1, we were taught to be “independent thinkers” and to use reason and skepticism to analyze the news, including government data. Over the three weeks, we built our capital market analysis skills by reading Bloomberg news and watching interviews by top traders including: Jim Rogers, George Soros, and Marc Faber. We learned how to extract the important data and analysis as well as the discard the misleading information. In a world with countless opinions, it’s important not to hedge and be an “independent thinker.”
What was the best part of the Swiss Finance experience?
There were many “best parts” to the Swiss Finance experience. One of which were the students. Being surrounded with positive, hardworking, and smart students was one of the reasons I why worked so hard and enjoyed every single part of it. We were so close that many of my classmates extended their stay to explore Europe together. I am still in contact with all my classmates and we are all looking forward to the 2009 reunion.
I knew that I wanted to work in business of some sort, and I was especially interested in asset management and banking. I decided to attend Swiss Finance because I wanted to figure out which field I am suited for, and it felt like Swiss Finance would be able to deliver that.
I am just writting an email to you, to show my appreciation for the Training program last summer. From these rigorous weeks at Swiss Finance. I have learned the essential tools for any career in Investment Banking. With the knowledge and skills learned on the course I sucessfully have started a job with JP Morgan working as an analyst. Thanks for openning my eyes to such opportunities and making this possible for me.
Hello,
I would like to express my gratitude for the great program you have provided us in Lugano, earlier in the summer. The Swiss Finance Academy program has been a life changing experience that, in addition to its insight into the investment banking world, it has enabled me to develop skills and acquire knowledge, which have already proven to be fruitful throughout my summer internship at a trading boutique. Furthermore, I would like to mention how thankful I am for your support and advices that have helped me cope with the intensity of the program. I would like to wish you good luck and my best wishes for your objectives regarding the expansion of Swiss Finance Academy.
I want to thank you for a great three weeks. Coming from a small liberal arts college, I had no idea what to expect going in and I can't believe how much I learned in such a short time. I've been reading some of the "recommended books" while I'm traveling around Europe and there's something on every single page that I wouldn't have understood had I not attended Swiss Finance Academy. I, and I'm sure all of the other students as well, really appreciate the time and effort you put in to teach us everything.
I am so happy to be classmates with the most ambitious peers in the world, but I am even happier to be your student--a top investment banker with wild knowledge and nice patience. Since I never took finance classes before, I had great difficulty in keeping pace with class. However, you used the best words possible to encourage me, giving me lots of confidence--when I need it most. The life in Lugano was the most cozy life ever--the residence for students and the environment was the best I've ever seen. Though the training program was finished, its spirit and the way I was trained to study will always benefit me in the future.
Hello. I hope everything is going well for you. My name is Matt and I was in the investment banking program in Lugano that just ended a few weeks ago. I just wanted to take a minute and say thank-you for everything during those three weeks. ...
Hello,
I just wanted to thank you for making my time at the Swiss Finance Academy in Lugano into a truly transformational experience. Being a huge soccer fan, I can testify to this fact by telling you that instead of waking up every morning and looking up the sports papers, the first thing I do now is to go through [media].
I could not help myself from getting on my computer after a few hours of needed sleep to thank you for an amazing program. I always knew that with time, I would get to appreciate the knowledge and experience I gained these past three weeks and that it would prove valuable in my upcoming career challenges. However, I never realized how much I learned during the program and didn't think I would feel it so instantly until I started reading [media] on my flight back to New York. As I read through, I stumbled upon a very interesting article titled "Leveraged Buy-outs, private investigation". Every paragraph I read sent another light bulb on, whether it was terms like interest coverage, payment-in-kind, covenants... it even referred to the case we analyzed in class! Reading that article gave me a sense of how much I and many of my peers had accomplished at Swiss Finance during those intensive three weeks. Most of all was this feeling of achievement and satisfaction that I couldn't but transmit to you. I am confident that you have instilled in us the seeds for success in Investment Banking and I look forward to growing them in the upcoming years.
I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to attend Swiss Finance Academy. The program was extremely challenging, which was great practice for the real world of investment banking. The curriculum taught me the fundamental skills needed to value a company and so much more. The life and career lessons I have learned will stay with me for life. The true test is now. I looked at the three weeks in Switzerland as one day in the classroom; the homework will be staying current with both U.S. and world markets, as well reviewing the binders often. What I knew 3 weeks ago, versus now, has grown 10x.
I want to thank you for the wonderful program that Swiss Finance Academy has provided, I think I learnt incredibe amount of material in just three weeks. It was a lot of fun to be a part of Swiss Finance Academy.
I know it has been a few weeks since Swiss Finance Academy has come to an end, but not a day goes by where I do not think of something that took place over my three weeks in Lugano. Since I have been back home in NYC, I have started my internship... I am greatly enjoying the learning experience that is supplementing everything you have taught me.
First of all I would like to thank you for organizing such an excellent program, I was extremely satisfied (and extremely worn out...) and my career ambitions has now risen to completely new level...Further more I am trying my best to follow the markets and keep up to date, which is essential now that I've taken your advice on trying out the [mediamedia mock trading], so far I'm having my ups and downs.
I really enjoyed attending Swiss Finance Academy, and I just wanted to say thank you for teaching us about investment banking and asset management. The lessons I have learned from you regarding office composure as well as interview skills have been invaluable to me, and I will take them with me to the recruiting sessions this Fall and to my job in the future. Feel free to contact me if you need anything in the future.
I wanted to thank you for such a rewarding and fun experience! I am sure you have been told this repeatedly lately, but I am very grateful for your time and help.
It was a pleasure to see you again in Lugano [this time as an alum]. I am delighted to see that Swiss Finance Academy is growing and gaining recognition.
I hope this note finds you well, and that you are recuperating from such a busy month! I just wanted to sincerely thank you for all of your kindness over the past month. I thoroughly enjoyed the program, which was quite a challenge for me, to say the least! I left Verbier with a profound interest in and appreciation for finance, and have [Swiss Finance faculty] to thank for this. I will certainly keep you apprised of my progress.
I just wanted to thank you for giving me the chance to participate in the whole Swiss Finance Academy experience. It was extremely rewarding and I was able to learn so much in just a few weeks. I think Swiss Finance Academy is on track to becoming very successful, as our its students.
Many thanks for an inspiring four weeks in Switzerland. Incredibly intense and extremely challenging, the SFA program has afforded me an opportunity to gain invaluable insights into the Investment Banking world and has equipped me with the skills necessary to make a seamless transition from academia into the I-Banking industry. While my initial intent on enrolment was to gain an advantage in a competitive industry, this was achieved and much more. I have acquired an in-depth understanding of corporate finance and the interviewing skills gained will undoubtedly be a value added in the pursuit of my career path. I am also grateful for the great networking and friendships established.
I just wanted to write and thank you for the past two weeks. I feel that I really made some positive steps forward over that time and significantly increased my chances by improving my interview skills. I appreciate your honest opinions and constructive criticism tremendously. I feel that alone was worth the tuition fee.
