The 2024 Postgraduate study trip saw students from MSc International Business Management and MSc Digital Business visit Tallinn and Helsinki for a week of experiential learning focused on international business operations and cultural insight.
Each year, postgraduate students studying on any of the MSc International Business Management courses have the opportunity to take part in an International Business Study Field Trip as one of their optional modules. The trip gives students the chance to learn about the significant cultural challenges involved in operating businesses across the globe and gives them the chance to visit another country during their studies.
For the 2024 study trip, students headed north for a trip to various countries around the Baltic Sea – visiting Tallinn, capital of Estonia and Helsinki, capital of Finland, with a brief stopover in Riga, capital of Latvia. This year the group of students from the MSc International Business Management courses, accompanied by their Professor, Hari Harindranath, were also joined by a group of students from the MSc Digital Business course, for a fantastic week of inspiring company visits and cross-cultural, experiential learning.
To prepare for the trip students completed various in-class activities, including learning about intercultural communication and cross-cultural management issues, as well as developing their team/communication skills. This preparation work was essential for creating positive engagement with the companies and giving context during the course of the visit. Following the trip students worked in groups to create a reflective presentation outlining their learning, this then formed the assessed part of their course.
The group visited the following companies in Tallinn…
- e-Estonia - Briefing Centre
- SEB Bank - Innovation Centre
- Fibenol – sustainable biomaterials from renewable secondary use biomass
- Tuul – electric micro-mobility vehicles
- Port of Tallin – Estonia’s biggest port authority
- Cleantech Estonia – business association for cleantech companies
- Harmet – modular construction
- Lingvist – AI-powered language app
and in Helsinki:
At each company the group heard from a senior manager or two and, where relevant, were offered a factory or site visit. This experiential learning opportunity gives students the additional benefit of interacting with industry and gaining international exposure - important for employability and networking.
There was positive feedback from all the students who took part in the trip and felt the benefit of having the chance to see such a range of companies, despite the early starts and cold weather! See below for a few quotes from students on this year’s trip:
- “The experience was very interesting and incredibly valuable as well as enriching. I had a lot of fun, made new friends, and gained practical insights that will undoubtedly enhance my studies and future career. I really hope future students will have the opportunity to experience this study trip!” - Leo
- “Our group really appreciated the trip which helped us learn more about several businesses in a different country. Further, we were able to learn from each other during the trip by sharing perceptions and ideas, and gain insights in specific sectors we were very interested in.” - Yunis
- “I feel this trip changed me. Overall, this study trip opened my eyes to different industries. I already have my career and I am goal-oriented for my future. I did not expect I would learn that much before the trip as those companies were in different industries, but during the presentation they shared their experiences and goals, that was very inspiring and entrepreneurial, I got more than I expected and it was worth to join this study trip.” - BeyShan
To find out more about the MSC International Business Management courses please check the course pages here.
For more information about the MSc Digital Business Course please check here.
