Classroom learning shouldn’t be the entirety of your graduate business school experience. On the best Master’s programmes, you’ll also develop your skills outside of the classroom – and, in many cases, outside your country of study.
At EDHEC Business School, students on the MScs in Business Management take part in Learning Expeditions, international study trips that are a core component of the programme. These immersive courses take students to key European destinations, where they explore real business environments, engage with professionals, and apply academic concepts to practical challenges.
MSc in Business Management students can choose from three Learning Expeditions, each focused on a specific business theme and industry ecosystem, with both EDHEC Alumni and global companies.
If you’re considering studying an MSc in Business Management, choosing a programme with an element of international study can be an excellent boost to your CV. But what are the benefits of international study trips?
3 Benefits of Taking an International Study Trip
Get hands-on exposure to critical business topics
Although business schools are increasingly bringing practical projects and hands-on sessions into the classroom, this often doesn’t compare to getting up close to real-world projects in a company – especially in rapidly developing areas like AI and data science.
On EDHEC’s Learning Expeditions, students explore one of three critical business areas in three European destinations:
- Dublin, Ireland: Business-oriented data analytics and machine learning
Students attend a three-day programme at CeADAR, Ireland’s centre for AI, including classroom masterclasses, immersive projects, and corporate visits.
- Sofia, Bulgaria: Entertainment management
Sofia is a centre for the entertainment industry in Eastern Europe, and students on this learning expedition observe how the industry operates from the inside by attending field trips and hearing from industry professionals.
- Krakow, Poland: Strategy in Tech
During this learning expedition, students gain hands-on experience in entrepreneurial project design and explore real-world applications of impactful technologies, such as AI, across startups and large companies.
Your choice of learning expedition might depend on personal interests, career goals, and even which destination you’re most interested in – as MSc student Jack Hughes explains:
“To start with, I had never been to Poland! But more importantly, I was drawn to the opportunity to explore Krakow’s dynamic and fast-growing tech ecosystem. Poland is increasingly recognised as an innovation hub in Central and Eastern Europe, and I was excited to see how entrepreneurship, technology strategy, and leadership intersect in such a vibrant environment.”
Turning business theory into real-world application
Students on each learning expedition don’t just observe the world of business – they also participate in hands-on projects that directly relate to their on-campus learning.
In Krakow, for example, students attend a strategic simulation workshop at Pragmatic Coders, a software development company. Similarly, in Sofia, students develop and pitch original entertainment concepts, applying marketing, branding, and international strategy frameworks studied on campus.
“It brought our coursework to life,” says MSc in Marketing Management student Yihong Rui.
Concepts from classes like Entertainment Marketing, Brand & Communication Management, and International Marketing Strategy suddenly became real.”
Even during company visits, students realise the connections between theoretical concepts and real-world applications.
“What stood out to me was how companies like Crédit Agricole are using technologies like Generative AI and low-code platforms to empower their employees to innovate. It reinforced the idea that digital transformation is as much about people and culture as it is about the technology itself,” says Jack.
Similarly, MSc in Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence student Lorenzo Ciampana reflects on the Dublin Learning Expedition:
“One major highlight was the visit to BNY Mellon. It was really interesting because I had the opportunity to explore a sector I had never been interested in before. It’s very different from big tech or consulting companies. Hearing from the experts opened my eyes to how much the financial sector needs to advance in Data Science and AI.”
Meet global companies
Naturally, the opportunity to actually visit real companies and meet professionals in competitive industries is a standout benefit of international study trips during a business school programme. In addition to global names such as Google, Salesforce, and Accenture during these international trips, students also form connections with local companies and innovative startups.
This is particularly true of the Bulgaria learning expedition, where students are invited to observe the operations of smaller-scale creative companies – an opportunity that would not be offered in other contexts.
“This is a unique chance to connect with professionals, ask meaningful questions, and see how theory translates into real-world practice,” says Yihong Rui. “Plus, Sofia is a vibrant and beautiful city that adds even more value to the experience.”
Another significant element of the MSc in Business Management learning expeditions is the opportunity to meet EDHEC Alumni across Europe and learn how they are applying their business school skills in their careers. EDHEC Business School’s Alumni network includes over 60,000 graduates in more than 40 countries, offering long-term professional value well beyond graduation.
Conclusion
International study trips offer MSc in Business Management students invaluable opportunities to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world business practice. Whether you’re exploring AI applications in Dublin, entertainment management in Sofia, or tech strategy in Krakow, EDHEC’s Learning Expeditions provide immersive learning experiences that can’t be replicated in a lecture hall.
If you’re considering a Master’s programme, choosing a programme that integrates international, hands-on learning – such as the MScs in Business Management at EDHEC Business School – can be a meaningful boost to both skills development and career readiness.
Curious to hear directly from students? Explore genuine reviews and insights on EDHEC Business School’s EDUopinions profile.
Student Review
I joined EDHEC as a Grande Ecole student (Masters in Management) in 2021 opting for the gap year to enrich my work experience in Europe.
The EDHEC Alumni network is strong & diverse within Europe, allowing you to get a foot in the door of any industry you desire to enter. Personally, EDHEC alumni enlightened me on interesting professional opportunities that I couldn’t have found scouring through job boards.
Another highlight of the BS is EDHEC Career’s Centre, run by Florence Da Costa. The whole team of the Career Centre is highly engaged in maintaining an active relationship with the students, and have years of experience in helping students find professional opportunities in Europe. I used the help of the EDHEC Career Centre to help tweak my application package when I wasn’t getting any interviews and evaluating the contract for my job offer when I did receive one.
Lastly, I enjoyed the practical focus of courses at EDHEC Business School. Every course had a practical component – be it analyzing a financial statement of a company or building a marketing strategy for a consumer goods giant’s dishwashing tablets. No course is swamped by technical depth irrelevant to professional opportunities. Although you won’t finish a course being a specialist, you will be a very handy generalist. I believe that’s what most companies look for here.
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