Last week, participants from the International Master in Management and Master Internacional en Management – Bilingüe visited Prague in the Czech Republic for the annual International Business Trip. Students took their learning out of the classroom to spend 5 days visiting companies and networking with executives in the European business hub.
MiM participant Brenda Odari describes the value of the International Business Trip in this way: “I learned so much about the history of Europe, how businesses work and the best way to interact with the different executives. The world is becoming more and more global, so it is important to know the history and work styles of different countries.”
The 5-day trip included panel discussions, presentations, debates, networking events and company visits combined with cultural activities such as a guided tour of the city and the opportunity to enjoy the local cuisine. The activities challenged participants to consider their views on the development of a country’s competitive advantage, the role of traditional manufacturing in today’s globally competitive market, the threats and advantages of integration in Europe, and entrepreneurship and innovation in the technological revolution.
During the visit, students visited companies representing several sectors including food and beverage, manufacturing, engineering and tech. German participant Julian Gmelin found the company visits particularly inspiring. “I come from a family business that is currently in its 3rd generation,” he says. “After visiting the companies, I was able to take some valuable notes and am considering implementing some of the things that I saw in my own business.”
Indian student Aishwarya Mishra enjoyed the opportunity to explore business in a practical way. “Getting to meet and network with company representatives one-on-one is a great experience, so much more valuable than just reading about the companies or researching about them,” he says.
Programme Director Nigel Hayes confirms that the International Business Trip provides a unique learning experience for students, especially in terms of networking. “The most valuable aspect of the Trip is the exposure to C-level executives the companies that we visit,” he says. “This gives participants the strategic view of companies that they need – the executives, whether from multinationals or startups, share their experience, and that is what participants value most.”
Another highlight of the International Business Trip for many Management participants is the opportunity to further network and create meaningful relationships with their classmates during the intensive 5 days together. The majority of students chose to extend their stay in Prague to include the weekend following the Trip, taking advantage of the extra time in the city for sightseeing and cultural activities.