Studying Between Class Rooms and Mountains

Impressions from Eu-HEM Joint Degree students about their semester at MCI

The master's program in European Health Economics & Management (Eu-HEM) at MCI is designed as a Joint Degree in partnership with Erasmus University Rotterdam, the University of Bologna, and the University of Oslo. Students who choose the track "Management of Healthcare Institutions" spend their third semester at MCI in Innsbruck. We spoke with student Hanna Lichter about her experience during the last fall semester.

Which courses did you enjoy the most and why?

Personally, I enjoyed Law and Public Health and Real Life Simulation (RLS) the most. I am very interested in how law and public health intersect and especially as AI is playing an increasingly important role, I greatly appreciated the legal insights into the use of AI in healthcare. The RLS course was very hands-on and gave us more than just academic skills. We learned how to develop a public health intervention based on local health issues and present it to political decision-makers.

By pitching our intervention to the Minister of Health of Tirol and her senior policy team, we experienced first-hand how challenging it can be to convince decision-makers of an idea and how to navigate potential obstacles. The Inclusive Leadership course was also highly interactive, featuring many guest lectures with diverse perspectives. I also appreciated the option to choose electives, which allowed us to select courses that matched our interests.

How did you experience living in Innsbruck?

I love Innsbruck – which is why I extended my stay to write my master's thesis here. The city is vibrant, student-friendly and safe. And the proximity to the mountains is perfect for anyone who enjoys being active outdoors: whether skiing, climbing, cycling or hiking.

How does MCI differ from the other partner universities in the program?

All three universities have their own distinct character. In Oslo, the focus was primarily on hard skills such as finance and economics, while Bologna won me over with its vibrant student life. MCI, on the other hand, offers interactive and practice-oriented teaching, making it the ideal choice for students who prefer a hands-on approach over traditional lectures and written exams.

What was the highlight of your semester at MCI?

Definitely the view of the mountains from the seminar rooms and the opportunity to go skiing in the morning and attend classes in the afternoon.

What did you find most inspiring about studying at MCI?

The interactive courses and group work allowed us to learn from each other both academically and personally. MCI is also excellent for building a network, as the teaching staff actively encourages students to build a professional network.

Hanna's conclusion for future European Health Economics & Management students is clear: Innsbruck is the ideal place for anyone looking to combine an international degree program with an active life in the mountains.