From Copenhagen to Charlotte: Dual degree student finishes year abroad with research honors

To cap off his year spent studying in the M.S. in Economics program in Charlotte, Scandinavian student Konstantin Ekstrom proudly took third place in the oral sessions for Business, Public Health, and Social Sciences at UNC Charlotte’s 16th Annual Graduate Research Symposium on April 2.

As a dual-degree student, Ekstrom is simultaneously earning an M.S. in Economics concentrating in Quantitative Financial Economics through UNC Charlotte and an MSc in Economics and Business Administration specializing in Applied Economics and Finance from Copenhagen Business School. Students in this joint program spend one academic year at each institution, and Ekstrom will be graduating with both degrees after completing his year at UNC Charlotte in May.

“I started my master’s studies in Applied Economics and Finance at Copenhagen Business School in Denmark because I wanted a skill set that covered both analysis of companies and the market,” he said. “However, I wished to focus more on the quantitative part and understanding the market. From the time I became aware of the opportunity to pursue a dual degree in Economics with UNC Charlotte, I was determined that it was the right option for me.”

Through the M.S. in Economics program in the Belk College of Business, Ekstrom performed research in the field of asset management, focusing his thesis on trading strategies.

“When reading about different strategies, I noticed that the performance of the ‘momentum strategy’ (buy winners, sell losers) has vastly attenuated over the past two decades. Because of that reason, I wanted to examine possibilities of increasing profits of the strategy,” he explained.

Presenting his thesis alongside Ph.D. students was challenging, Ekstrom said, but he felt confident as he demonstrated his findings.

“I felt confident about my presentation and thought I had a chance to be among to top presenters, but it was impossible to know for sure. My first thought when I heard my name was, “Yes! I did it!,” he said.

Originally from Borås, Sweden, Ekstrom served in the Swedish Armed Forces prior to beginning his business education. He hopes to work within the financial services industry in the U.S. or Europe after he graduates. Ekstrom said studying across the globe has presented some unique challenges in adapting to a new learning style, but it’s an experience he knows will have a significant impact on his professional future.

“The best part of the Belk College is the focus on application of the knowledge. It is not only about understanding models but also applying them, doing the coding, and building new ones. I believe that the toolbox of skills and abilities I have developed by participating in the dual degree program has enabled me to tackle more complex challenges, which in turn will help me throughout my career,” he said.

The dual degree in economics provides students an international perspective, and an ability to integrate economic analysis and advanced quantitative methods. To learn more about the Dual Degree M.S. in Economics program with Copenhagen Business School, or UNC Charlotte’s Master of Science in Economics, visit msecon.uncc.edu.