Navigating Davos: A Scholar's Guide to the World Economic Forum

I recently had the incredible opportunity to participate in the World Economic Forum 2024 in Davos, Switzerland. Every January, this town brings together world leaders, businesspeople, professionals, and academics to annually discuss pressing issues faced by the world. This year, it hosted the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, as well as a myriad of engaging events throughout the week.

Having said that, Davos can sometimes sound very daunting and unreachable. In order to demystify Davos and make it seem more accessible, I have created a structured guide in the form of “Do’s and Don'ts” to help scholars make the most of their Davos trip. I highly recommend you read this guide, especially if you are a WHT scholar.

Davos, January 2024

WHT Scholars Taha Qadri and Mykhailo Kiktenko with WHT Alumna Nadja Skaljic (2013, MJur) at Davos

DOs:

• Be proactive!
  Secure your spots early by registering for events and joining Davos WhatsApp or Telegram chats. The more exclusive events get booked up earlier, so make sure to keep an eye out for the sign-up links.

• Reach out!
  As soon as your plan is confirmed, reach out to people, especially from WHT. Not only would they be able to guide you themselves, but also connect you to alumni who attend Davos. Moreover, this is also a potential opportunity to apply for the Max-Weidenfeld Travel Grant if you get invited to a conference there. This is an exciting opportunity to go with fellow scholars, peers, and classmates, so don’t forget to reach out to your friends too.

• Embrace Opportunities!
  Sign up for events that interest you, even if you’re not 100% sure that you can make it. The events don’t expect all of their sign-ups to show up, but they do expect all of their show-ups to have signed up!

• Exchange Contacts!
  When networking with people in Davos, don’t hesitate to ask them for their LinkedIn or phone numbers if you think the conversation was fruitful. Keep your contact details ready in the form of a business card or a LinkedIn QR code (or like Mykhailo, keep your LinkedIn QR code as a lock screen/screensaver in your phone).

• Budget Smartly!
  Switzerland is generally an expensive place to be, especially during the winter. Therefore, do make sure to plan your accommodation, transport, and food expenses accordingly.

  ○ Accommodation: For cheap hotels, book them early, or else they will get super expensive. Alternatively, if you have a friend or relative in Switzerland, you can ask if you can stay with them and commute daily.

○ Transport: Davos is accessible by both train and car. Both give you astonishing views of the Swiss Alps on the way. Mykhailo and I both used the 5-day interrail pass to travel by train daily.

○ Food: Contrary to our beliefs, food in Davos was not very expensive. My go-to place was the Co-op Restaurant, which had meals within 15-20 Swiss francs. Other cafes and restaurants have similarly priced meals, and some pavilions offer free coffee and snacks.

DON’Ts:

• Go Unprepared!
  Doing your research is crucial, and being aimless in a town full of opportunities would be really sad. Therefore, sign up for events, connect with people beforehand, and pack your schedules with things to do instead of letting fate decide your next stop.

• Succumb to Panic!
  “Hotels cost £15,000 per night, how will I afford it?” Yes, there’s a huge chance that hotels show a ridiculously high price. Although this may seem daunting, remember that Davos is hosting world leaders and presidents, so prices are expected to be this high. Most of the reasonable hotels at Davos get fully booked by July-August. Therefore, make sure to get accommodation finalized early unless you plan on staying with a friend or relative in Switzerland (it’s easy to commute every day by train).

• Shy Away from Social Interactions!
  In Davos, people usually expect to interact with strangers and are really friendly about it. It’s normal to just go up to a stranger, say ‘hi’, and strike up a conversation (even if the small talk might be a bit awkward). So unless there’s a genuine reason, it is not recommended to stay in a corner, mind your own business, and not utilize the opportunities to talk to people.

• Underestimate Your Worth!
  Yes, it’s really difficult to fight the imposter syndrome and the thought that you might not belong in Davos. However, remember that there’s a reason why you are an Oxford student and a WHT Scholar. Have faith in your abilities, put yourself out there, and you will hopefully end up having a great time.

• Neglect Self-Care!
  The other extreme case is always trying to hustle: constantly trying to talk to people, participating in everything, and forgetting to prioritize yourself. Don’t beat yourself up if you’re unable to be as ‘productive’ in Davos for every single hour. After having a long day of conferences, events, and networking, you need to recharge yourself and have some fun. Therefore, you should make sure not to miss out on the concerts, parties, and other purely fun events happening at Davos.

Taha at Davos

In conclusion, attending the World Economic Forum in Davos is not just a convening place for world leaders but also an achievable reality for scholars. Remember, preparation is key, networking is essential, and embracing the experience with confidence is paramount. This is all the advice I have from my side. I genuinely hope that it helps and encourages you to attend the World Economic Forum.