We spoke to recent MSc International Management graduate, Sophie Rennick, about her experience on the programme's International Residency Week. Our International Management students get the opportunity to travel to Spain and develop a global network of friends within the highly diverse class and experience business in a different culture. Sophie is currently working as an Assistant Development Advisor at Enterprise Ireland.
Describe the international residency week in three words?
Commerce, culture and conversation.
Where did you go and what did you most enjoy about the trip?
The International Residency Week brought us to two beautiful cities in the Galician region of Spain - A Coruña, the home of Inditex, and the UNESCO World Cultural and Heritage city of Santiago de Compostela. The trip was a wonderful opportunity to immerse ourselves in Spanish life and culture while gaining valuable insights into the conduct of business in Spain.
What did subjects did you study while there?
Through interactive seminars and site visits, we gained valuable insights from industry leaders into the challenges and opportunities of foreign investment in Spain, the process of internationalisation of various MNCs and start-ups from the region, and the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Spain. We also had lectures from regional academics on Spanish culture, society, economics and politics.
What skills and knowledge did you gain in relation to doing business in a global context as a result of the trip?
It was made clear to me on this trip that doing business in a global context today requires international managers to practice strategic agility and cultural awareness. It is crucial to understand how external environmental factors affect different markets and how this knowledge can translate to uncovering opportunities amidst disruption which can lead to success on a global level.
How does this trip complement the MSc programme course learnings?
This trip complemented our course learnings by allowing us to see first-hand how international business can foster from any corner of the world with the right mix of people, ideas, collaboration and skills. Furthermore, we could see first-hand how various theoretical strategic models have been implemented in practice behind the success of major international companies.