From Classroom to Career - Sana's Story
At BI, our students bring unique stories and ambitions that shape our community. One of them is Sana Tajangi, originally from Iran and a graduate of our International Management program. Today, she works at ctrl QS in Berlin, supporting international teams in digital operations and stakeholder collaboration.
In the following interview, you will get to know more about Sana’s journey, how her time at BI prepared her for her career, the skills that truly make a difference, and her advice for those who are still studying or just starting out.
Could you introduce yourself and share what your current role is about?
My name is Sana Tajangi, I’m 23 and I come from Iran. I currently work at ctrl QS, where I support international teams in digital operations and stakeholder collaboration. My role is about making sure workflows run smoothly, ensuring information flows across departments, and creating solutions that help people work more effectively.
What do you enjoy most about working in this position?
What I love most is the environment. ctrl QS is truly diverse, and I work with colleagues from many different backgrounds, which constantly broadens my perspective. I also enjoy that my work is dynamic. Every day brings new challenges, and I get to combine problem-solving with interpersonal skills. Even small improvements in processes or communication can have a big impact, and that sense of making a difference is very rewarding.
How did your journey at Berlin International University of Applied Sciences prepare you for this role?
Berlin International University of Applied Sciences prepared me by teaching me to navigate international environments with confidence. The mix of cultures in the classroom was almost a training ground for what I experience at ctrl QS now. It gave me the adaptability, patience, and communication skills needed to work across borders and time zones.
Looking back, which experiences from the International Management program helped you the most in reaching this position?
Two things stand out: group projects and my marketing classes. Group projects taught me cross-functional teamwork, conflict management, and how to deliver results under pressure. Marketing classes, on the other hand, taught me to think more strategically. Marketing requires diving deep into the customer’s psyche, understanding not just what people say they want but what they actually need. That mindset has shaped how I handle my work now too, because in operations and stakeholder support, you also need to anticipate unspoken needs and deliver solutions that go beyond surface-level requests.
Was there a moment during your studies that gave you clarity about your career path?
Yes. The business law courses gave me a new perspective on how structure and fairness influence business decisions and the marketing classes helped me realize how much I enjoy understanding people at a deeper level. Together, they made me see that I want a career where I can combine structured problem-solving with a human-centered approach. That is why I see myself pursuing a Master’s in Business Law eventually, while continuing to grow in fields where stakeholder management and international collaboration are key.
Which soft skills have been most valuable in your role (e.g. communication, leadership, adaptability)?
Empathy and adaptability. In stakeholder management, you often deal with competing priorities. Empathy helps me understand where people are coming from, while adaptability allows me to adjust quickly to changing circumstances. Together, they create trust and keep projects moving forward.
Are there any technical or management skills from your studies that gave you an advantage?
Yes, absolutely. My experience with Microsoft tools, Excel, and data analysis gave me the ability to work with large amounts of information and turn them into insights. On the management side, project management principles and strategy-focused classes gave me an edge in thinking about both efficiency and long-term outcomes.
If you could tell current students one skill to focus on now, what would it be?
I would say focus on strategic communication. Being able to not only exchange information but also align people, influence decisions, and frame ideas clearly is a skill that will serve you in any business field.
What advice would you give to current or future BI students who want to follow a similar path?
Do not just focus on grades, I mean do but prioritize your focus on experiences. Say yes to group projects, discussions, and classes that push you out of your comfort zone. And take your marketing classes seriously, they are not only about campaigns but about truly understanding people. That insight will help you in almost any career path, whether in operations, law, or leadership.
Sana’s reflections are a reminder that studying at BI is about more than lectures,it’s about building skills, perspectives, and confidence that last far beyond graduation. Her journey shows how experiences in the classroom, from group projects to intercultural teamwork, can translate directly into career opportunities.
We are proud to see Sana thriving in Berlin and hope her story inspires BI students to embrace challenges, seek out experiences, and follow their own unique paths.
Apply for BA Business Administration
To meet our admission requirements for the Bachelor degree programs in Business Administration, one needs to hold the German Abitur / Fachabitur or equivalent. Any foreign qualification will need to meet the equivalence criteria to these German certificates, which is set by the German Central Office for Foreign Education.
The requirements for equivalence vary from country to country. We have summarized a few of the most frequently asked about education systems:
To confirm whether you meet the requirements to study in Germany, the German Academic Exchange Service provides an English language resource here.
For the original German source, please check the homepage of the Kulturministerkonferenz here.
There are four admission possibilities:
Direct general admission – you are qualified to start undergraduate studies into any subject area.
Direct subject-restricted admission – you are qualified to begin undergraduate studies in the subject area you have previously studied.
Subject restricted admission to a preparatory course/the Feststellungsprüfung (university qualification exam) – you require additional periods of study before you can begin undergraduate studies in Germany, see more information below.
Admission is not possible without additional proof of education – the qualification you hold is not equivalent to a university entrance qualification in Germany. You will need to complete further qualifications to meet the admission requirements.
Preparatory Course / Additional Studies
If you current educational qualficiations do not fully meet the Abitur/ Fachabitur-level in Germany, and you will need a Preparatory Course or additional studies, here are your 3 options:
Option 1: International Year One
Through our brand new partnership with the Touro University Berlin, the International Year One is the perfect pathway to fulfill one year of university study after higher secondary education, ensuring a smooth transition into our bachelor programs in business administration.
Find out more here.
Option 2: Study time
As an alternative to our International Year One, you can enroll at a university outside of Germany, and complete the first academic year of a bachelor´s degree successfully. In order to meet the admission requirements, the university and program must be fully accredited, you must choose the same or related subject you intend to apply for at BI, and you must complete the first academic year with all courses and credits successfully. For some countries, you may need to complete more than 1 academic year.
If you choose this route, you would be welcome to apply as a transfer student into a higher semester. Read more about this in the ‘Transfer students and course acknowledgments’ section.
Option 3: Studienkolleg
A 'Studienkolleg' is a university preparatory course to prepare your for German universities. There are different types of Studienkolleg programs, for business programs, you would need to choose the 'W' or 'WW' course.
German language is required for anyone wanting to study at a Berlin-accredited university after completing the Studienkolleg.Therefore, it is not a typical route for our students.
For more information on Studienkolleg programs, click here.
Please note that Berlin International can only consider applicants who meet the admission requirements for the desired program.
All applicants who meet them will be subject to faculty selection and seat availability per program.
Applicants for our bachelor programs in Business Administration can join our International Year One, through our new partner Touro University Berlin, to meet the admission requirements mentioned above.
Find out more here.
Application closing soon!
The application process for studying BA Business Administration at Berlin International is straightforward. You can simply and safely share your personal information through our online application platform. After receiving a confirmation email with a link, a copy of the following documents can be uploaded:
- Passport
- High school diploma certificate with transcript (German Abitur, Fachabitur or equivalent). Please also submit an official translation of the diploma and transcript into English or German if they are in another language.
- University certificate with transcript (if applicable). Please also submit an official translation of the diploma and transcript into English or German if they are in another language.
- English language test certificate (CEFR level B2 or above)
For more information, including course acknowledgement and transfer applications, please use the menu item Admission.
Our BA Business Administration programs are taught in English. We will require proof of your language skills. German knowledge is not required.
If your language skills are at CEFR Level B2 or above, one of the following currently valid language test certificates and scores can be accepted for your application:
- TOEFL ITP: 543
- TOEFL IBT: 74
- IELTS (Academic): 6.0 Overall
- Cambridge FCE: B2
- PTE Academic: 59
- Duolingo: 120
- BI internal exam/ BAU 'English Language Proficiency Exam': 60/100
- IB Diploma: English A or B at HL or SL
- German Abitur
The score must be earned within the last two years.
If you have not completed high school in a majority-English speaking country (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand) or a bachelor's degree fully in English, an approved language exam is required in order to qualify for admission.
You are welcome to attend the internal Berlin International language proficiency exam. It will be hosted online, participation is free of charge and can be offered once an application to one of our programs has been made and admission requirements have been met.
For the dates of our next language proficiency exam, see the Language Requirements tab on our Admissions Page.
Preparatory School:
If you do not yet have CEFR level B2 English and are eligible to study in a BA program at BI, you can sign up for our English Preparatory School.
