From Chicago to Finland: Exploring Global Business Innovation at Aalto University

The collaboration between Loyola University Chicago and Aalto University offers students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the Finnish business environment, engage with local experts, and explore Aalto University and Finnish culture at the same time. The program contains company visits, this year to Finnish organisations Supercell, Kone and Kuori.tech as well as lectures and workshops in design thinking, business models and project management, to name a few. The course culminates in final presentations of the business case projects students have worked on alongside the course. 

The Global Perspectives on Digital Business program at Aalto University provides a balanced approach to broaden the perspectives of young business professionals. The program allows students to engage with cutting-edge digital business concepts and practices, encouraging them to think critically about global trends and challenges. Integrating theoretical frameworks and real-world case studies makes the learning experience highly relevant and impactful for the students.

Kaitlyn Hoffman, Instructor in Information Systems and Supply Chain Management (ISSCM) at Loyola University of Chicago, accompanied the group during the program at Aalto.

‘The diversity of professionals gathered to speak to the students, as well as the organisations included in the company visits, provided a well-rounded view of global perspectives. Additionally, the interactive visits and collaborative project offered students practical experience enabling them to apply what they learned in a hands-on environment. The students appreciated the integration of expert insights with hands-on learning experiences—which was further enhanced by Finland's unique culture of innovation and collaboration’, says Kaitlyn

Nordic company culture as a source of inspiration

During the program, students got acquainted with several Finnish companies, where questions about working culture were frequent among the students.

‘It is extremely refreshing to see a culture of trust and a results-based mindset among the Finnish organisations we visited. Even though I live in the US, half of my family comes from Sweden. This is probably one of the reasons why the Nordic approach to taking time off, prioritizing mental and physical health, and living to work, not work to live, speaks to me on many levels,’ Axel states.

Welcoming the visiting group from Loyola was an enriching experience also for us at Aalto. The students brought along a curious and enthusiastic mindset – perfect for learning about the course topics but also for exploring a new country and culture. Collaborating with a university for several years is a win-win relationship, as we learn about their needs and can fine-tune the program to the group,’ says Laura Kitinoja, Program Director at Aalto University Summer School.

‘As an instructor at Loyola University Chicago, I am enthusiastic about continuing this collaboration for years to come. I believe that by building on this strong foundation, we can create even more impactful opportunities for our students, fostering cross-cultural learning and preparing them to be leaders in the global digital business landscape. I look forward to seeing this partnership grow, bringing fresh perspectives and new possibilities to both Aalto University and Loyola University Chicago’, Kaitlyn Hoffman concludes.

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