If you want to simply know the facts of finance, you should read one of the countless books written on the subject, but if you want to get into the world, you should study at Swiss Finance. The insights I gained here, not only the facts and terminology, but getting to know what the people who work in Wall Street are like and also what those who want to work in Wall Street are like. What kind of personality does it take to work hard till four in the morning and be invigorated by doing so? I discovered I have so much in common with these people, that at heart I am one of them. My experiences here have been quite amazing. Notes from the participant's academic and career journal at Swiss Finance:
Finance theory was one of the major topics of the day and I was not prepared. I always assumed I’d get into finance. It had been my chosen career path for as long as I can remember, but today I woke up to my passion for it all. The lessons were inspiring. I not only feel that I now understand the workings of finance theory, but I feel like I can touch the inner mechanisms and the way it all comes together, and once I can touch it I can manipulate it and work with it. I’ve never taken a class before that put me in such close contact with the subject. I can’t wait to see what is in store for us tomorrow.
Regards,
Matthew
and I absolutely attribute this opportunity to what I took home from Switzerland this summer. Although I was used to working hard as a Mathematics major and Business Administration minor at the University of Florida,it was a different, more theoretical kind of work than the curriculum and intensity at Swiss Finance. Addittionally, despite my background, I was unsure which field of finance I wanted to pursue. I didn’t feel equipped to start a career in the business field with my BS. Swiss Finance provided the hands-on experience I needed in order to begin my career. I know that I have the potential to be an extraordinary leader because I love to make the whole team happy and I have a fast-learning, positive personality. Here I gained the Swiss Finance Academy Advantage and I have already seen it work for me. Notes from the participant's academic and career journal at Swiss Finance: Today I learned of the effects that volatility has on the market, capitulation, LBO's in depth-MBOs, ratios (interest coverage, etc), acquisition currency, exit multiples, and CAGR. I also learned of 2-tier offers, realized compound yields, and risk and return. Even with my minor in Business Administration, there was so much that was new to me today.
I learned not only technical materials but I learned how to think like a banker and fit in with this elite community. I also met some truly amazing people and made some lifelong friends. I started an internship at Fox-Pitt Kelton. Next week, I get the opportunity to follow around a floor trader on the New York Stock Exchange. Wall Street has proved to be everything I had dreamt it to be. I feel like I am living a dream. 
As one of the few liberal arts majors with no background in finance, I figured I would struggle and I will admit the course was intimidating at first. But by being so immersed in finance that it surrounded me daily, I couldn’t help but pick it up. We would begin conversations on capital markets in class, but it would spill out into our conversations outside the classroom. Everywhere I went, and everyone I spoke with, the topic was always finance – it was in the very air we breathed and it solidified itself not only in our gaining this knowledge but also in creating these amazing friendships that will last a lifetime. We were all pursuing the same goals and it brought us together and by doing so we used each of our unique backgrounds to help each other see the issues in ways we alone could not have. 
As I entered my senior year at Duke, I was very interested in interviewing for jobs in the finance industry, but as a history and religion major, I really had no background in finance or business. I was searching for a program that would give me the knowledge and skills that I needed to really stand out in the recruiting process. I applied to Swiss Finance because I thought the curriculum was just what I needed to prepare myself for my upcoming job search. The program surpassed all of my expectations. Swiss Finance offers a unique combination of academic and cultural experiences that I know I couldn’t have found anywhere else. The curriculum was intense, and a lot of time was devoted to mastering the material both inside and outside the classroom, but we also had time for fun weekend trips to places like France and Italy. I also found the mentorship aspects of the program to be extremely helpful. Faculty took the time to give me detailed critiques of my performance so that I was really able to learn from my mistakes and my weaknesses, and turn them into strengths. The job search and career guidance that I received from highly experienced industry professionals was invaluable, and it was nice to get advice from people who had previously been in my shoes.
Exposure to finance and economics classes had opened a new realm of career opportunities that I was excited to explore. Investment banking and corporate finance drew me. College classes could only provide so much, but I wasn’t able to satisfy my cravings through classes alone so I decided to take the program at Swiss Finance and I don’t regret my decision for a second. There I discovered the various career paths that were open and available to me. It was also the perfect length for me because as an NCAA Division 1 student-athlete, I have a very short summer. 
My brother had taken this program and mentioned how it was a great experience for him in his professional career. After hearing about it, I began to research about the program and found it to be an exceptional learning experience. I want a career in finance and I wanted to learn more about it. I was aware that the Swiss Finance, School of Business, would better prepare me to succeed in knowing more about businesses around the world. Every job is distinct, and requires different skills out of a person; I knew that this program would help me in becoming a unique individual who possesses qualities and skills that would greatly add value for my future career goals.
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.
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.
