I am Kaustubh Sapkale, a student of the Master in Marketing, Communication and New Media at Bologna Business School. I am from Mumbai, in India, a city that is a melting pot of cultures, people, businesses, dreams and is also a home to Bollywood.
I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in India, and during my second year of bachelors I was also a part of the Community College Initiative Program (CCIP) Scholarship. The CCIP scholarship is a US State department funded program, where students from different countries are given an opportunity to study in the US for a year. Due to my strong interest in marketing, I majored in this field while in the US. This gave me a stronger understanding of marketing, while making me even more interested in the subject. So, after finishing my bachelors in India, I was looking for a master’s program to enhance my marketing knowledge and skills.
Than, I came across the Master in Marketing, Communication and New Media offered by BBS. I was immediately attracted by the international fast-paced program, which also gave the opportunity to have an important internship experience. The course structure was a mix of traditional and digital marketing subjects, taught by international faculty members with an abundance of experience and expertise. Also, the strong community of alumni and the vast network with global companies made it an even more exciting program.
Another important reason for me to choose BBS was the city of Bologna! I have always been fascinated by the Italian way of life, “La Dolce Vita!” and wished to experience it. From the culture, food, people, al the way to the beautiful architecture, Bologna is a door to discover the beauty of Italy. The University of Bologna (which is the oldest university in the Western world) also makes Bologna a great place for students from all over the world.
Now when I look back, I realize that this master program was perfect for me. My experience at BBS has been amazing, as it enriched me with different cultures, experiences, opportunities, knowledge and skills. My class was a mix of very talented individuals with various backgrounds. Being the youngest in the program, it gave me the opportunity to learn from everyone. This made me even more happy as I was able to interact, learn and work with the best people I have ever met. Moreover, the BBS business network made it possible for us to visit companies like TecnoFerrari, Google, Ducati, etc, but also to learn from faculty members coming from companies like Lamborghini, Ferrari, Ducati, and Oracle. I have always loved motorcycles and cars, so being so close to the Motor Valley and learning from the best of the automotive industry, was a dream come true.
My experience got even better when I got the opportunity to work as a Riding Experiences Marketing Intern in Ducati. Thanks to BBS’ wide network and the dedicated Career Service team, I was able to get closer to my dream. I was lucky to have among my professors Patrizia Cianetti, the Marketing Director of Ducati Motor Holding, which gave me an opportunity to not only showcase my passion for the company, but also prove my marketing knowledge and abilities.
Interning at Ducati is a great opportunity for me, as I am developing on my existing experiences. The internship has made it possible for me to meet my idols, see my dream motorcycles and work for my dream company. I can relate my theoretical knowledge from my lectures, with their practical application at work. I was looking for an overall development of myself, and BBS fulfilled all my expectations. BBS has developed me as an individual, both personally and professionally. And in the end, all I can say is that “BBS was my launch-pad to achieve my dreams.”
Kaustubh Sapkale – India
Master in Marketing, Communication and New Media – Class of 2017/2018