International Student Projects: A glimpse into the world and beyond, FHNW School of Business

Under the motto ‘Come as you are, do not expect to stay the same’, it became clear that the ISPs are far more than just academic projects – they are a formative experience.

Alongside students, sponsors – as key partners in the projects – supervising lecturers and representatives of the university management were also present. Particularly noteworthy: as is customary with these projects, the entire organisation of the event was in the hands of the students themselves.

Four projects – four perspectives on the world

Insight China – Shaping the future for 25 years

The programme kicked off with Insight China, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. Under the theme ‘Shaping the Future – 25 Years of Forward Thinking’, the tour led through Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

The students gained insights into business, politics and culture, take Beijing, for example: from company visits and meetings with innovation leaders, to insights into the work of the Swiss Embassy in China, right through to Peking duck and visits to the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Academic perspectives were not neglected either, for instance during exchanges with students from Tsinghua University.

The trip vividly demonstrated how dynamically China is developing and the role that technology and innovation play in this – from autonomous vehicles to drone deliveries.

Focus India – Experiencing diversity, fostering dialogue

Focus India took participants to New Delhi, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Under the theme ‘Mosaic of Minds’, the programme focused primarily on cultural diversity and personal exchange.

Visits to educational institutions such as the Athena School of Management, as well as a primary school, and in-depth visits to companies provided a deeper understanding of the local economic and social dynamics.

A key lesson: sustainable partnerships are built through personal dialogue and trust. Meeting so many different people on the ground left a lasting impression, both professionally and personally.

connectUS – Innovation through people

This year, the connectUS project took part-takers to Canada, with stops in Toronto, Ottawa, Québec City and Montréal. Under the theme ‘Designing Tomorrow’, urban planning and other projects were examined through the prism of innovation, sustainability and intercultural learning.

Visits to international companies, institutions such as swissnex, as well as the University of Ottawa and Université Laval, provided a wealth of insights.

The key takeaways for participants: innovation is driven by people, not just by technology. Those who think globally must remain flexible – and be prepared to adopt new perspectives.

exploreASEAN – Three countries, countless impressions

exploreASEAN took the students to Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. The trip combined company visits, academic exchanges and cultural experiences.

Stops included the Foreign Trade University and the ASEAN headquarters in Jakarta.

Whether during company visits or in exchanges with local students, the participants experienced the region as a dynamic economic area with great potential.

For many, the trip was a ‘life-changing experience’ that has had a lasting impact not only on their professional but also on their personal perspectives.

A special finale

To round off the evening, Charlotte Hofstetter and Antje Leukens paid tribute to the dedication of everyone involved.

They emphasised the importance of the ISPs for education in an international context and particularly highlighted the achievements of the students, who organise complex projects independently, even amidst constantly changing global conditions.

For Antje Leukens, it was also a special moment: after 25 years of service – since the early days of Insight China – she is stepping down as ISP Coordinator and handing over this role to Anja Nicol from the 26/27 cycle onwards.

The closing event clearly demonstrated that the International Student Projects combine academic knowledge with real-world experience and specifically prepare students for a globally connected working environment.