From Challenge to Confidence: Alumni Insights with Igor & Alexandros

Getting Started with Finance

Luba: Would you please share a few words about yourself and what drove you to join the challenge?

For Igor, the challenge was the perfect entry point into investing:

“I always wanted to go into finance. Studying economics was a start, but the challenge gave me the chance to try out investing without money, in a safe environment. You could make mistakes, learn, and understand finance before making decisions in real life.”

Alexandros described a similar motivation:

“Investment has always been one of my hobbies. I like following financial news and trends. This was the first time I came across such an exciting opportunity to compete with others who share the same interest – and to test my knowledge in practice.”

Motivation and Expectations

Luba: What motivated you to participate in the challenge?

Both Igor and Alexandros were driven by the chance to learn. Igor explained:

“Everyone needs money and wants to do something with it. But without experience, you don’t know how. Being part of this community inspired me and pushed me further.”

For Alexandros, the challenge stood out as a rare opportunity:

“It was a unique, risk-free way to try out strategies, learn from others, and have fun – without the fear of losing money.”

Their expectations were different. Igor entered without the ambition to win:

“I expected to try, to make mistakes, and to see what worked. Failing to learn is the best way to learn. For me, the challenge was the perfect safe environment to test and grow.”

Alexandros, on the other hand, had a clear goal:

“I wanted to perform well – at least not end up negative. Along the way, I adapted my strategy, learned, and improved. Nobody knows everything at the start, but you learn step by step.”

Favorite Moments

Luba: What was your favorite moment of the challenge?

When asked about highlights, Igor recalled the satisfaction of seeing his portfolio grow:

“When I saw my portfolio go up just as I expected – that was the best feeling. It felt like I was truly part of the market’s evolution, and that my decisions had an impact.”

For Alexandros, the structure of the challenge itself stood out:

“I really enjoyed the weekly challenges. The tasks and videos made it fun and easy to engage regularly – even on the train or between classes.”

Key Lessons Learned

Luba: Which skills and lessons did you develop during the challenge?

Both alumni agreed that the challenge prepared them for real-world investing. Igor emphasized:

“Discipline was the biggest lesson – sticking to a strategy even when markets fluctuate. Also diversification, and not letting emotions take over decisions.”

Alexandros highlighted adaptability:

“Learning to adjust strategies along the way gave me confidence. It’s not about knowing everything at the beginning, but about learning and applying step by step.”

Closing Thoughts

Igor and Alexandros show that the Swiss Student Investment Challenge is more than just a competition. It is a platform to experiment, to fail safely, to learn – and to grow in both knowledge and confidence.

Their message to future participants? Jump in, explore, and use the challenge as your training ground for financial skills.

👉 Their stories are full of valuable lessons. Tune in to the podcast episode to profit from their experience – and take your own first step toward financial confidence.

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