Savonia’s International Business Degree Programme, in collaboration with HELMo University College (Liege – Belgium), NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences (Leeuwarden – The Netherlands), and Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (Kaunas – Lithuania), recently organized a BIP themed “Street Smart.” The programme included two preliminary virtual sessions in February 2024, followed by an intensive study week at Savonia’s campus in Kuopio from March 11th to 15th, 2024. Twenty-four students, including four from Savonia’s BBA programme, participated in six teams carefully curated to ensure diverse perspectives and effective collaboration. The virtual sessions included warming exercises implemented by the mentors to help teams to integrate effectively.

During the intensive week, teams tackled challenges provided by local companies in the Kuopio area, including Prisma shopping center, Bella Boats company, and Hydroline Oy. Each team was tasked with developing solutions to their assigned case, fostering critical thinking and practical problem-solving skills.

Cultural Exchange and Personal Growth

Before the program began, students had a variety of expectations, ranging from gaining fresh perspectives to delving into street-smart thinking and company operations. Curiosity and a thirst for experimentation were common themes, with students eager to explore new topics, incorporate technology, enhance language skills, and build international connections.

Throughout the BIP, teams employed various strategies, including teamwork, strategic planning, research, and collaboration tools like Canva and AI, to tackle challenges effectively. They embraced design thinking principles, prioritized customer needs, and sought guidance from mentors to develop innovative solutions tailored to real-world contexts.

Despite encountering challenges such as language barriers and time constraints, teams demonstrated resilience, effective communication, and adaptability, ultimately delivering successful outcomes. The cultural exchange component enriched students’ understanding of street-smart thinking in business, exposing them to diverse perspectives and approaches from different cultures.

Reflections and Acknowledgments from Participants and Teachers

Presenting solutions to local companies was both rewarding and challenging for students, providing valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth. Although some students faced initial fears, they found the experience thrilling and transformative. The presentations were in public venue at the Savonia’s Campus Heart and provided a public speaking experience to the teams.

Overall, participants found the BIP experience immensely rewarding, expanding their international networks, refining their soft skills, and deepening their understanding of business dynamics. Teachers echoed positive sentiments, emphasizing the program’s value in fostering cooperation, networking, and cultural competence, while providing insights into local business operations and Finnish culture.

The BIP exemplified the power of collaborative learning and experiential education, equipping students with the tools and mindset needed to navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape with street-smart knowledge.

This article was finalized with the collaborative input of all participating students and teachers. Special thanks to contributing teachers: Rint Henstra, Johanne Lambert, Simona Jankauskaite, and contributing students: Junyan Chen, Cléo Martin, Maurits Gramsma, Océane Marchand, Zara Marium, Alyssa Koster, Julien Mobers, Nilgun Kurtar, Luna Gelhay, Evelina Cariova, Adomas Kybartas, Brigita Rokaitė, Amelie Lira Sanchez, Célia Hubaille, Lola Maisse, Sujana Tandukar, Augustas Staras, Salka Bidel, Elyse Kammelar, and Myranda Houkpati for their valuable contributions. Additionally, AI technology played an important role in refining and structuring the content of this article and making it come to light in such a short period of time.

This article is developed, edited, and finalized by Abdelazim Hannoura (Senior lecturer Abdelazim.hannoura@savonia.fi), Özerk Göker (Senior lecturer Ozerk.Goker@savonia.fi), Jade Jimenez Salgado (teacher Jade.JimenezSalgado@savonia.fi), and Gerly Matihaldi (teacher gerly.matihaldi@savonia.fi).