Success has many faces. Here, we take a closer look and shed some light on what drives different people at the University of St.Gallen. Hagr came to Switzerland as a child. She has many different interests. For example, she has been instrumental in shaping the Healthcare Club and the Security Policy Forum since her studies began. In this interview, she reveals how she managed to successfully follow her path. 

Who are you, what do you do and where are you currently?
My name is Hagr. I am studying Law and Economics at the University of St.Gallen for a Bachelor’s degree. I’m originally from Iraq. As a child, I came to Switzerland as a refugee. These experiences had a huge impact on me. I grew up with different cultures and views and had to learn to deal with many different perspectives and develop understanding for other people. This motivated me to do volunteer work in my spare time – for example, by holding public events on socially important as well as polarising issues at the Security Policy Forum (SPF). 

Besides that, I am active in the student parliament, representing the students of the Law School. I am also a Strategic Communication Adviser for a start-up called Leading Nursing Homes, which was founded by an HSG alumnus. My work there is important to me because we want to set a quality standard for retirement homes in Switzerland. In Iraqi culture, respect for elders is very important. I would like to do my part to ensure that this wonderful aspect of my homeland receives more attention in Switzerland as well. 

What drives you and what do you want to achieve in life?
I would describe myself as someone who is not afraid of setbacks. When we came to Switzerland, we had practically nothing. So I had to learn to make something out of nothing. That made me resilient. I have to smile when other people describe me as successful. I’m not the best at being successful, I’m the best at not losing. For me, losing means giving up after a defeat. That’s why I know from the start that I’m not going to lose – simply because I never give up. As long as I learn something from defeat, I’ve gained something. In my life, I would like to help other people to stop tying their value to the apparent victory or the apparent defeat. Everyone should have the courage to stand up for what they want and to carry on when things are difficult. Whenever I see an opportunity to contribute to our society, I want to take it. 

What kind of people and perspectives have you encountered here?
I have met a lot of people here with different perspectives. This was also evident in the minors in the form of Contextual Studies, which we complete alongside the majors. For example, there are many people who, like me, are interested in philosophy. I often have discussions with them on a wide range of topics during breaks. Sometimes, of course, we also talk about banal things that make us laugh. I really appreciate that. It broadens my horizons. There are so many different people here, but one thing unites us all: we want to learn how to use our full potential and innovate. A lot of people here think outside of the box, which is great.

How has “From insight to impact” become reality for you?  
The university lets us develop and we are not put in a box – quite the contrary. I have learnt to stand up for my own opinions and myself, while at the same time becoming more open to the perspectives of other people. I have come to appreciate differences of opinion and discussions here. Understanding different perspectives can lead to new things. That is essential for innovation. Here, I have learnt why you need “insight” to create “impact”.

I put this into practice in my public events. I put people with different perspectives on stage and try to find areas in which they agree. We staged the last event at the Security Policy Forum in cooperation with the St. Galler Tagblatt. It was a panel on the Middle East conflict. We were able to create a safe space for a wide range of people with different opinions on a very controversial issue. This was possible because we focused on “insights” – in the topic, but also in relation to the concerns of the conversation partner. This is the only way to make an “impact” without contributing to polarisation. I am happy to be at a university that trusts us to put what we have learnt into practice here. Other universities have forbidden their students from doing so. 

Why did you choose HSG?
The main reasons were the Contextual Studies and the interdisciplinary approach of the university. I believe that I can only broaden my horizons by combining different perspectives and that one day I will be able to produce innovations. That’s exactly the opportunity I’m being offered here. I also really like the family atmosphere. The faculty always make time for our concerns. And the employees are always there to listen when you need their advice. This surprises many of my friends at other universities, because apparently they don’t have that. 

How has your view of the university and your studies changed? 
There hasn’t been a single day that I have regretted studying at the University of St.Gallen. Quite the opposite: I couldn’t have made a better decision. I’m finally in a place where I’m not afraid to be completely myself. I can pursue my passions, in fact I’m encouraged to do so, and I get support. Many people think that the people here are all very standard, the cliché of a “finance bro”. Of course there are some people like that, like there are at every business university. But here I have learnt why clichés often don’t correspond with the truth. Some people would be amazed at how many people you can get along with once you put aside your prejudices. Apart from that, it is not fair to pigeonhole people on the basis of their background or interests anyway. Another advantage of HSG is that thanks to the small classes in the practice groups, I can get in touch with a wide variety of people and form friendships I might not have formed somewhere else.

How did you feel when you decided to study here?
When I decided to study at the University of St.Gallen, I was still unsure what exactly I wanted to study. My interests are very broad. That’s exactly why I chose HSG. The interdisciplinary approach is a really special feature here. My mentor, an HSG alumna, said to me: “If you study at the University of St.Gallen, it doesn’t matter what exactly you study. Everyone knows that anyone who graduates from here can hold their own in a wide range of positions over the long term thanks to the different subjects.” That cured my insecurity.

Who would you recommend this programme to and why? 
I recommend studying at the University of St.Gallen to anyone who wants to go deeper with their knowledge and learn to look at problems from every possible angle. People who think innovatively and are not afraid to question existing systems are particularly valued here. Thanks to the Contextual Studies I would also recommend it to people who value socially important debates and who, like me, are interested in topics such as history and philosophy. Here, everyone can find subjects that cover their own interests and that can be combined with their respective field of study.  

What was your experience of studying at the HSG as a woman?   
To be honest, I have had a very normal experience in my studies. The fact that I’m a woman doesn’t matter to anyone at HSG. I get attention for my achievements, and that’s the most important thing for me. I find recognition for my strengths and I am not reduced to my gender. That’s how it should be with any human being. We’re all students here – that’s it.  

What’s your experience of the community for women at HSG?  
Frankly, I’ve never asked myself that question. I felt at home at the University of St.Gallen right from the start and I have never had to question whether I was being discriminated against because of my origin or my gender. The groups that I particularly appreciate are open to everyone – there are more than a hundred student and volunteer associations. I have rarely been able to gain so much practical experience in my life and receive so much support from experts. That’s really something that – as far as I know – you don’t get anywhere else in Switzerland. 

What insights have you gained for your life? 
I have managed to acquire a can-do mentality here. I’ve learnt to try things out and not shy away from challenges. If I get stuck with one of my projects in the associations, I can always ask the professors. The employees, who are experts in organisational issues, also support me with advice and assistance. I have also learnt that there is no shame in asking for help. This makes us more independent in the long run and teaches us that we can achieve more together than we can alone.

How have your studies changed you? 
I have become bolder and more open. This is something you can’t get through theoretical knowledge alone. It takes the kind of community we have here. As students at HSG we are not anonymous faces – each and every one of us has the opportunity to pursue our own interests and seek individual support. 

How have your studies inspired you to become an entrepreneur?  
My studies have inspired me to try things and learn from defeats rather than never try anything and learn nothing at all. We’re here to study. At the same time, at HSG I have learned that sometimes trying things is more important than studying. I think this is the only way to bring about innovation. Because innovation means trying something that others haven’t done yet. That takes a lot of courage. The University of St.Gallen offers me a safe environment and the support of experts so I can try things out.  

How do you see the future and your next career steps?  
My next professional steps include promoting the quality of Swiss nursing homes, which is very important to me. What will come after that, I can’t say yet. I want to keep my horizons open and find my own way. And I want to help promote mutual understanding in the world and improve the lives of those who are not as fortunate as I am. I am thinking in particular of the people of Iraq. As long as you know your own values and know what is important to you, you can find where you belong.  

What advice would you give prospective students? 
You don’t always have to know everything 100%. If you have many different interests like me, the University of St.Gallen is the perfect place for you. All kinds of doors will open for you here. Thanks to the wide range of opportunities on offer, you can learn where your passion lies during your studies and specialise in it over the long term. I came here with the aim of studying International Affairs. I ended up at Law and Economics. I would probably never have discovered my passion for economics and law at another university.