Oct 28, 2022 | School of Business

Creating added value on an international level – actively making a difference with the International Student Projects

Get to know the five International Student Projects (ISPs) of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland.

This article was written jointly by the Communications Teams of the five International Student Projects.

This year’s International Student Projects are organised under the over-arching theme of ‘Sustainability’. The Sustainability Goals by the United Nations thereby serve as a guideline for our project themes, and we are striving to make a difference.

For about two decades, Insight China, Focus India, connectUS, and exploreASEAN have, step by step, built up and delivered unique international, interdisciplinary, and experiential learning opportunities. This year, we are proud to have been joined by our newest project, HOLATAM – focusing on the Latin American continent. The addition of another project shows the relevance and demand of the existing programmes. We are enthusiastic and grateful for the opportunity to enable further final-year students and future delegates to enhance their knowledge and international experience through one of our ISPs.

Our ISPs thrive on mutually beneficial relationships between the projects and our partners; we are immeasurably grateful for their generous support, which makes these invaluable experiences abroad possible. Our projects join in one common goal: by providing direct, on-site insights into the economic and cultural challenges of global business we strive to foster the participating students’ international business competencies, help them build a professional network and thus offer the basis for skills development and practice for tomorrow’s workforce.

To allow for this, two seminars are being organized: in February 2023, inputs from researchers and practitioners, reflection ateliers, workshops and cultural activities will make an impact during the one-week ‘Seminar in Switzerland’. This is the occasion for our partners to share their knowledge and ideas, present their businesses, and connect with the students – their potential employees. A few weeks after this preparation follows the ‘Seminar Abroad’ – a unique study trip providing the delegations with the opportunity to learn and experience first-hand how business is conducted and challenges are met in a defined geographic location of their choice. In visits to companies, organizations, and institutions, the delegates will meet professionals and experts from different fields, allowing for full cultural immersion – an enriching and eye-opening experience, as many ISP alumni testify further below.

Within this framework, each project has generated its own topic, serving as a guideline in the organization of contacts and events at home and abroad. Here are the 2023 ISP projects and their themes:

Insight China

Supply Chain Resilience – Supply Chains in a Post Covid Environment

Focus India

Unleashing the Potential of Adaptability and Agility

connectUS

Inspiring Change for a Shared Future

exploreASEAN

Shaping the Future with Renewable Energy and Automation

HOLATAM

How to Ensure Responsible Production and Consumption Patterns in Colombia and Peru

To allow for a glimpse at participants’ learnings and experiences, we invite our readers to take a look at some testimonies of former delegates:

«Taking part as a communications manager for connectUS gave me the opportunity to expand my knowledge in new fields such as social media marketing or redesigning a website. I mostly enjoyed the seminar abroad, and that we got to know so many different and interesting students from different schools and locations of FHNW. It’s a unique opportunity to visit well-known companies abroad, and to boost your career. I would definitely participate again!»

Tamara Frei, connectUS 2022

«exploreASEAN22 was a fantastic and rewarding project where I could learn and grow personally and professionally. As a PR and Communications Manager, I had the opportunity to explore a new career field where I was able to put my ideas and creativity into action when producing and distributing various contents through different channels.»

Marco Müller, exploreASEAN 2022

«Having the chance to be part of such a prestigious project - Insight China 2022 - I experienced a life-changing adventure. I had the possibility to make international connections and gained valuable insights.»

Stefanie Tleo, Insight China 2022

«Through the Focus India project, students can gain first-hand experience in a variety of subject areas in a global context. With various visits and exchanges, you acquire fascinating insights into the operations of Swiss but also Indian companies, working in different fields. As such a diverse and culturally rich country, India is truly unique, which made the experience even more memorable.»

Martin Pupic, Focus India 2022

We would be delighted to have you on board in 2023 to share our ISP experiences – as a delegation member or friend and follower!

Visit our websites below to stay tuned about what events are planned next! For any further information, do get in touch with us; we will be happy to answer your questions.