PROBBA

What is Probba?

Probba is the Mikkeli chapter of the Student Association of Aalto University School of Business, the home for students who attend the International Business program (BScBA). Our students are called endearingly “Babas”, and the reason behind this intimate nickname dates back to 1989 when the program was still entitled “BBA”. We are a tight-knit community, hence we proudly named our people “Probba” - the Latin term “for BBA” - “Pro-BBA”. Leading this community is the Probba Board, from which we have a President, Corporate Relations Representative, Treasurer, Academic Affair Coordinator, Event Coordinator, Master of Ceremonies, International Affair Coordinator, Editor-in-Chief, Project Coordinator, and Communications Coordinator to take care of every facet of our student life.

Probba and KY

Probba is an independent part of KY; our relationship grows stronger when many Babas graduate from Mikkeli, bring their

Mikkeli spirit to Otaniemi for a Master’s degree, and join the KY community there. Probba is invited to many KY’s events, such as the notorious “Mursulaiva” and Wappu, and the same happens to KY when they travel all the way long from Espoo to Mikkeli to join Probba’s “Mikkeli Road Trip”. KY Board has a position that is responsible for Probba-related affairs, while in the Probba Board, the most prominent members in building cooperation with KY are the Project Coordinator and President.

Our Program

What is special about our program is that we follow a curriculum model of three-week modules - studying one course at one time and finishing it within three weeks, which lowers our motivation for procrastination and requires intensive concentration on our studies. Just like the name of the program, “International Business”, prestigious professors from all around the world come to teach at Mikkeli. English is the most commonly spoken language on our campus - both in academic life and daily conversa- tions - to enhance an international environment and inclusivity among all students, no matter where they came from. The duration of our program is three years, including a study-abroad period in which students can have various choices for exchange destinations to select, from the far Orient to exotic South America, providing a long list of top partner universities. After graduation, our students are automatically offered study right for the Master’s Program in Otaniemi.

Our Community

Having a small community turns out to be a wonderful factor that strengthens the bond among students. A small community we are, but also a big family where we know everybody and study and have fun together. Internationality and diversity are the signatures of our community. The Probba Board itself consists of students from multiple backgrounds and is re-elected every year to welcome more diversity to our community administration. With only around 150 students around the campus and more than one-third of them are already non-Finnish students, we embrace a high international spirit that is even more unique with the arrival of exchange students from everywhere in the world. The peaceful town of Mikkeli is in a fever of joined culture and friendship across nations, and as our program is broadening our reach we get more diversity than ever before. The Mikkeli campus has become the cosy home for not only Babas but also for fellow exchange students who hold dear to Mikkeli within only a short stay.

Student Life

Despite the intense study load, extracurricular activities in Mikkeli never cease to be lively. Apart from attending annual events hosted by the Probba Board such as Ribbon

Skate, Mikkeli Boat Trip, Orientation Week, and Grand Annual Ball, students enjoy singing out traditional songs in Nesu-Probba’s sits, tasting multi-cultural cuisine exclusively by Baba’s Kitchen, gathering up for board games in the board game club, recharging their energy by FC Probba’s football futsal, exploring the beauty of Finnish winter in SkiBBA’s ski-ing Ganos, or shouting “Oi Mikkeli!” enthusiastically (and proudly) every mid-week at Pentti Bar. Nature in Mikkeli never fails any Babas; winter provides a wonderful opportunity for skiing, ice-skating, or the very “Finnish” ice swimming, while the lovely summer makes it so tempting for into-the-wood walks, sports at Pankalampi beach and long-distance cycling.

Babas Alumni

A tight-bunch community as we are, many Babas graduate and continue their life chapter everywhere in the world, yet still come back to Mikkeli to reminisce about the good old days they once shared with their friends. “Mikkeli Mafia” became an honorary title granted to the graduates who have a strong connection with Mikkeli’s alumni community. ‘You can literally meet Mikkeli alumni anywhere in this vast earth,’ a professor teaching this program for years once said. ‘I met this guy when I was in a remote area in this far-fetched country, whom I found very familiar. I asked him, “Are you a Mikkeli graduate?”, and do you know what he said? “Oi Mikkeli!” In the middle of nowhere!

A new wind is blowing on our campus with the arrival of the next generation – Babas’23. Always remember, dear our fuksis, that we are ready to welcome you all with a warm heart and wide-opened arms. An adventure is lying ahead of you!