For Goodman School of Business student Berina Colakovic, there is no better experience a university student can have than to go on an international exchange.

Colakovic is one of about 30 students across North America who have recently been hired by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to help promote studying and researching in Germany to their peers through the Young Ambassador program. Colakovic is the first Brock University student to be hired through this program.

Going on exchange is the best thing I’ve done at university. It opened my eyes to so many new experiences and it really changed me.

The opportunity to volunteer for DAAD arose because of Colakovic’s own exchange experience.

She spent last fall on exchange in Germany at the University of Mannheim where she took business courses and immersed herself into German culture. She found the experience to be powerful and impactful, and now wants to share what she learned with other students.

“Going on exchange is the best thing I’ve done at university. It opened my eyes to so many new experiences and it really changed me,” says Colakovic.

“I’m excited to share my experience with students and help them see the benefits of these programs.”

As she finishes up her studies this year, Colakovic looks ahead with the goal of returning to Germany for a master’s program.

In addition to her young ambassador duties, which will include a full training workshop over four days in New York City to refine public speaking skills and learn more about German exchange programs, Colakovic will work on a volunteer basis with Goodman’s international exchanges and partnerships office to assist with promoting all international exchange opportunities to Goodman students.

Brock’s Goodman School of Business currently partners with over 40 business schools around the world, including five partners in Germany. Goodman students going on exchange programs take courses in English that count towards their degrees.