At the start of semester five, our BA business students embark on a unique journey that takes them to Vienna (Austria) and Trieste, (Italy) for three weeks of intensive immersion in the business languages of these two vibrant cities under the supervision of Dr. Colin Heller and dotoressa Elisa Borella. We are immensely proud of this hands-on module within our BA business program, as it consistently proves to be a transformative experience for our students. Students advance their language proficiency and develop a deeper understanding of the intersection between culture, language and business.
Immersive Learning, Multilingualism, and Cultural Exposure
Divided into two groups (Italian speakers and German Speakers), students spend three weeks honing their language skills and exploring the cultural and business landscapes. These immersive courses offer a deep dive into the practical use of German in Vienna and Italian in Trieste. Interactive language sessions provide students with the tools to navigate the complexities of business communication in these languages, essential for engaging with local companies and professionals. These sessions ensure that students understand the nuances of how these languages shape business interactions.
The learning environment encourages active participation, discussion, and first-hand exposure to real-life business scenarios and cultural traditions:
“In Trieste, there is a traditional Trieste way of serving cappuccino, called "Capo in B". B is short for Bicchiere (which is Italian for drinking glass). When you order Capo in B, you get kinda cappuccino in a small glass. I tried it myself and it tasted different from Cappuccino, in a good way.” Ribo, 5th semester Student from Myanmar.
“I think the most enjoyable part for me was the atmosphere of the big city. Every day after my classes, I could go to different places such as libraries or cafes to study. Vienna is a lively and vibrant city, with lots of events to attend and even more beautiful places to explore. Each day of those three weeks was filled with fun, walks with friends, music concerts, and sitting in cozy traditional coffee houses. And, of course, I was practicing my German during all these activities, and I’m happy to say that it improved a lot.” Daria, ICM 5th Semester Student from Russia.
“Finding the right balance was a bit tricky, as the course was quite intense and demanding, but it was definitely possible to explore and enjoy the city, spend time with my classmates, and invest enough time in studying to really feel the difference and the impact of our studies.” Ida, ICM 5th Semester Student from Israel.
Business Engagement and Real-World Application
A key highlight of the module is the opportunity to meet with local businesses in Italy and Austria and observe their operations firsthand, interview managers, and observe production cycles. Students gain valuable insights into the dynamics of business communication, from formal presentations to casual networking, and learn how cultural norms influence these interactions.
In Trieste, students visit Fior Rosso company, producing cold-pressed olive oil (one of Italy's most renowned products), and the Port of Trieste Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mare Adriatico Orientale, one of Italy's most important trade hubs, where they witness how logistics, management, and communication come together. In Vienna, students engage with Wirtschaftskammer Wien, Wiener Linien, the city's public transport authority, where they observe business operations in a public service setting, learning about the challenges of managing large-scale urban infrastructure.
These encounters provide students with a broader understanding of how different industries function and how communication plays a vital role in business success in different countries (Italy and Austria). Through these visits, students see the theoretical concepts of intercultural management they've learned in the classroom come to life in real-world settings, reinforcing the importance of effective intercultural communication and strategic business thinking in global trade.
Reflection and Learning Transfer
The experiential learning is designed for senior students to build on their existing knowledge gained throughout the program. By placing students in a real-world context in Vienna and Trieste, the program challenges them to apply their theoretical business acumen to practice-oriented tasks. Following the immersion experience, students are required to summarize their learnings in an observation reflection report.
“I can confidently say that the authentic experience of exploring Italian culture, combined with quality teaching methods, has significantly improved my language proficiency”. ICM 5th Semester Student Albertina from Romania.
This approach encourages them to critically assess the skills they've developed, the cultural insights they've gained, and the practical lessons they've learned from their interactions with businesses.
A Hands-On Approach to Business Learning
Students frequently report that this practical part of BA business program is a very impactful part of their studies, helping them transfer their knowledge from the classroom to real-world business contexts. Intercultural Management BA business curriculum ensures that by the time our students graduate, they are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of international business environments.
This immersive experience represents a key milestone in our students' final year of BA educational journey, ensuring that their academic learning is firmly rooted in practical intercultural business realities, reflecting Internationalization of CUAS BA Business Curriculum, aligned with CUAS 2030 strategic mission and vision.
Coordinators: FH-prof. Dr. Colin Heller and dot. Elisa Borella
ICM curriculum (5th semester): https://www.fh-kaernten.at/en/studium/wirtschaft-management/bachelor/management/intercultural-management
Language training: Sprachenzentrum der Universität Wien sprachenzentrum.univie.ac.at/de, Istituto Venezia Trieste https://www.istitutovenezia.com/
