BBICC 2025
Student Ambassadors' experience
Student Ambassador Milica Mileusnić, for Copenhagen Business School
Being an ambassador at BBICC, one of the world’s top 10 case study competitions, made celebrating its 10th edition even more special and it definitely lived up to its top 10 status!
I had the chance to be part of the Copenhagen Business School team’s BBICC journey as their ambassador. I was truly honored to receive the Best Ambassador Award, which made the whole experience even more meaningful. From the very beginning, it felt as if the CBS team had worked together countless times before. Their synergy, communication, and mutual understanding were remarkable. They were always incredibly well-organized, which was evident in small but meaningful ways. While ambassadors of other universities were still unsure about what their teams would need for the upcoming 24-hour case, I already had a complete list from mine, even with a note that said I should pick one surprise item myself. That small detail said a lot about how organized and creative they were and it honestly made me smile. Toward the end, they even surprised me with a bouquet of flowers, a completely unexpected and heartwarming gesture.
Their advisor, Magdalena, was amazing. She always gave insightful and encouraging feedback, helping her team learn and improve constantly. Watching their presentations and hearing her comments was a learning experience for me as well, and I was inspired by how much they could achieve through collaboration and thoughtful guidance.
During the competition, there were moments that truly showed how much effort and heart they put into every case. For two consecutive days, the CBS team achieved the maximum number of points and seeing their excitement after each win was unforgettable. What touched me most was how they made me feel included in every celebration. Cheering together, taking team photos and sharing inside jokes as if I were one of them. We even started a small tradition: after each well-done case, we would order pizza from the well-known local place Majstor i Margarita. Those moments of shared success and celebration made me feel like an equal part of the team, not just someone supporting from the sidelines. It was a reminder of how genuine teamwork naturally brings people together, no matter where they come from.
Being part of this team allowed me to share a bit of my own culture, too. I still remember how excited I felt while waiting for them at the airport, not knowing that the people I was about to meet would soon feel like close friends. I introduced them to Serbia, its traditions, hospitality, and the lively charm of Skadarlija, Belgrade’s famous bohemian quarter filled with music, laughter, and history. They were genuinely curious about everything, from local food to stories about everyday life in Belgrade.
The best part? The people. Learning from others, sharing stories and seeing how every culture approaches problem-solving differently. One of the things I appreciated most was the bond between all the ambassadors. Even when we didn’t have any official duties, we would still gather in the lobby of the Radisson Hotel, talking, laughing, and waiting together for the next task instead of going home to rest. It felt like we all knew that we were all part of something special and we didn’t want to miss a single moment of it.
BBICC gave me not only valuable lessons, but friendships and memories I’ll always cherish. It reminded me how much can be learned and experienced when people from different backgrounds come together with a shared purpose, enthusiasm and open hearts.
Student Ambassador Tamara Kukić, for Wilfrid Laurier University
March of 2025 – the month of the long-awaited BBICC 2025. But for me, the story started even two months before the competition week, when I received the news that I had been selected as an ambassador.
During that time, we ambassadors got the chance to get to know each other. One of my favorite memories from that period was making keychains for all the competitors and their advisors – over a hundred of them in total. It all sounded fun and easy at first; the plan was to finish them in just a few hours (that didn’t exactly happen). The first day was chaotic – the keychains kept breaking, so we gave up, and I decided to take them home to figure out how to make them look presentable. And it worked! The next day, we turned into a real keychain factory – they looked great and, most importantly, they were finally sturdy.
And then came March, and with it, my team from Wilfrid Laurier University. I was a bit nervous at first about how we would get along, but it turned out even better than I could have imagined. Two of the team members quickly became our unofficial tour guides, walking ahead of everyone as if they had lived in Belgrade their whole lives. On our first day together, we somehow walked almost 20,000 steps just exploring the city.
Their advisor surprised not only me but everyone from Serbia when we found out he was learning Serbian. It was so nice to see how much he enjoyed his time here – enough to want to learn the language!
The team had the perfect balance – hardworking and focused on every step of the way, yet curious and ready to experience everything BBICC and Belgrade had to offer. Watching them prepare and present during the competition was truly inspiring. I learned so much just by observing how they approached challenges, stayed calm under pressure, and worked together as one. It amazed me how much they could accomplish in such a short time, and it motivated me to push myself in the same way.
Aside from my team, BBICC gave me an amazing opportunity to meet so many new, inspiring people – other ambassadors, members of the organizing committee, and students from all around the world. Each of them brought something unique, and through all the conversations, laughter, and shared experiences, I got to learn so much about different cultures and perspectives. It was such a fun and eye-opening experience that reminded me how special BBICC truly is – not just as a competition, but as a place where connections and friendships are built.
Student Ambassador Sofija Isaković, for Maastricht University
When I first heard about BBICC, I thought it would be just another project, an opportunity to meet new people and practice my English. But it turned out to be so much more.
Not only did I have the chance to demonstrate my skills, but I also built genuine friendships that will last a lifetime, both in the professional world and beyond. The connection I formed with my team and fellow ambassadors was stronger than with some people I’ve known for years.
The competition itself is only one part of BBICC. Networking plays a huge role as well. To encourage that, cocktails were organized every evening, adding a fun and social dimension to the event while bringing all of us closer together. That was one of the aspects I loved most about BBICC – the perfect balance between professionalism and enjoyment.
My team consisted of four incredible participants from Maastricht University. They were truly amazing – dedicated, kind, and inspiring. During those seven days, they made me feel like a real part of their team. They even gave me a small bee-shaped brooch, their team’s symbol, which we all wore during presentations. I still keep it as a special reminder of that time. What touched me most was the gift they left me at the end, along with a handwritten message that brought me to tears. In that moment, I realized just how much the whole experience meant to me.
As for the ambassadors, that story is equally inspiring. Twenty of us were chosen to represent both BBICC and our country, which was an incredible honor and responsibility. Despite the pressure and the fact that most of us hadn’t met before, we quickly became a team. We supported one another every step of the way, worked hard, and shared so many unforgettable moments. By the end, we weren’t just colleagues, we were a family.
All in all, BBICC is an experience I will never forget. It taught me teamwork, leadership and how to build meaningful relationships. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who has the chance to participate, it’s an opportunity that will change you in the best possible way.
