As part of the Erasmus+ programme, Martina Zöbl from the Management & Entrepreneurship study program and Raimund Drost from the Journalism & Media Management study program participated in the International Staff Week at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki. The event focused on the theme “Cultural Diversity and Inclusion” and explored how cultural diversity and inclusion can strengthen international cooperation in higher education.
From the very beginning, it became clear how important cultural understanding is in Finland. Topics such as intercultural communication, diversity and international collaboration were at the centre of the programme. One particularly fascinating aspect was the Finnish concept of “Sisu” – a deeply rooted cultural mindset that is difficult to translate directly and describes qualities such as resilience, perseverance and inner strength. This mentality was reflected both in the university’s way of working and in many conversations with Finnish colleagues.
Workshops, Exchange and New Perspectives
The Staff Week combined workshops, lectures and networking formats with practical insights into the Finnish higher education landscape. During the workshop “Beyond Words: Understanding Culture in Practice”, interactive exercises demonstrated how strongly cultural backgrounds influence communication and collaboration. The exchange with university representatives from across Europe opened up new perspectives on topics such as belonging, diversity and international education strategies.
Beyond the academic programme, the week also offered interesting insights into Finnish society. Finland has not only been ranked the “happiest country in the world” for several years, but also has the highest coffee consumption per capita worldwide – two aspects that frequently came up in informal conversations and provided an interesting cultural context.
Creative Learning Spaces and Innovative Communication Strategies
Another highlight was the presentation of Haaga-Helia’s centrally organised Corporate Communication department. Current marketing strategies, social media approaches and the internationally awarded TikTok campaign “TikTok University”, which received recognition at the Cannes Lions Festival, were presented.
As part of a campus tour, participants were introduced to innovative learning and creative spaces, including the RoboLab with 3D printers and open innovation areas, modern radio and TV studios, the Sales & eCom Lab and the university’s Start Up School. These learning environments are designed to encourage students to think creatively, interdisciplinarily and entrepreneurially.
Inspiration for Professional Practice
Participation in the International Staff Week provided valuable professional and personal insights. During the concluding “Creative Reflection Lab”, participants reflected on the experiences of the week and discussed practical ideas for their own professional work. In addition to gaining new perspectives on international higher education communication and diversity management, sustainable contacts with European partner universities were established. The week impressively demonstrated that intercultural exchange and mutual understanding are key success factors for international higher education networks.