Holger Dohn-Bassøe

Can you tell us about your studies and your interest in the outdoors?

I am from Denmark and study Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark. After the Summer School, I will start the second year of my master’s. I have always enjoyed outdoor activities, especially scouting and hiking.

Why did you and your brother choose the INSEAD Summer School?

I am here with my brother, Nikolai. Our father completed an MBA at INSEAD and told us it would be a great opportunity. He often spoke about INSEAD’s work hard, play hard mentality: you put in many hours, but you also have a lot of fun with the people around you. Our family encouraged us to come, and we were both able to join the Summer School.

Which moments have been most memorable?

At the beginning of the Summer School, there was a strong focus on keeping an open mind and not being afraid to say how you felt. We did exercises to get to know one another and shared personal stories. That created a very positive environment for the rest of our time here. After class, we also go out and enjoy ourselves.

What have the group projects taught you, and how did the professors bring that lesson to life?

One thing I learnt was to stay calm and not rush when starting a group project. It is easy to lose the overall view when you become involved too quickly. The professors helped us understand this through exercises designed with small traps that you would fall into if you rushed, and nearly everyone did. Afterwards, we discussed what had happened. Taking a step back and thinking about how to tackle the problem first was an important lesson for me.

Has anything surprised you?

I expected people to be extremely focused on books and academics, perhaps at the expense of the social side. Instead, people are very smart and engaging, but also kind, welcoming and inclusive. They invite you to eat with them or go out into town. It is a very good balance between having fun and learning a lot.

Do you think you will stay connected with the people you met?

I almost wish I could stay for an entire year because the people are so great. We have only been here a short time, but I have already made a lot of connections. It is remarkable how quickly those relationships formed.

 I almost wish I could stay for an entire year because the people are so great.

Would you consider returning to INSEAD for a master’s programme?

I have thought about both the Master in Management and the Master in Finance. I have had such a good time here that returning would be very appealing. I need to see how the programmes fit with what I want to do after university and consider the financial commitment, but they are definitely options I am considering.