Seven countries – two unforgettable weeks – a great community: Students from Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Cameroon and Finland came to Stuttgart for the Stuttgart Business School’s (SBS) Intercultural Business Summer School, ‘Leading Across Cultures’. Together with German students from the SBS, they enjoyed two exciting weeks at HFT Stuttgart – and this diverse group quickly became friends.
This exchange across national borders was very much at the heart of the experience, as illustrated by one participant’s feedback: “The highlight was working and connecting with classmates from many different countries. Learning how they think differently pushed me to grow, both academically and personally.” It was precisely this idea – learning from one another, growing together – that ran through the entire programme.
Learning with all the senses
Academically, the Summer School had a great deal to offer. In the ‘Intercultural Business Skills’ seminar, the international students came together with German fellow students from various disciplines at the SBS. Together, they discussed and exchanged views on business etiquette in their home countries, while also benefiting from the insights of Dr Te-Yi Lin, Assistant Professor at our partner university, Tatung University in Taipei, Taiwan. In the process, the students discovered just how different – and yet how similar – ideas about communication and collaboration can be. “Integration with German students from other fields” – this was precisely the highlight of the programme for one participant. Indeed, the intercultural exchange took place not only among the international students, but was increased in diversity through their encounters with German students.
Site visits
During a visit to the company ‘Kärcher’, the students learnt how the company implements its sustainability strategy internationally and how it overcomes concrete challenges by using CO₂ as an example. Another key focus was the concept of ‘Secure-Based Leadership’, which was introduced to the students and explained in more detail. During a factory tour and a visit to the Kärcher Museum, they also gained fascinating insights into the company and were able to get to know Kärcher from different perspectives.
Leadership Seminar and Workshops
But what does good leadership actually mean when the members of a team come from very different cultures? It was precisely this question that the students explored during the following three-day leadership seminar, together with visiting professor Prof. Dr Syed from MARA University of Technology in Malaysia. How do you lead a team in Pakistan, and how in Finland? What defines good leadership in Cameroon – and how does it differ from the concept in Germany? Using specific examples, the students discussed different understandings of leadership and repeatedly realised that what seems self-evident in one cultural context can be understood quite differently in another.
“Learning a lot about new cultures – leadership styles, behaviours, cultural differences in relationships – in a short space of time. This was really valuable because I’ve never learnt so much new information first-hand,” said one participant, describing this part of the programme.
Interactive workshops led by intercultural trainer Angelika Mamier repeatedly led to ‘aha’ moments. Using experience-based methods and varied exercises, she enabled the students to experience cultural differences for themselves, rather than simply examining them in theory. They experimented, observed, discussed and, in the process, put many of their own assumptions to the test. How well this was received by the students was summed up by one participant in a single word: “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”
Leisure time that brings people together
Shared experiences and German culture were also well represented at the Summer School. From the TV tower, the students enjoyed the view over Stuttgart; in the evenings, they played games and laughed at the Teehaus in Weißenburgpark; and on the trip to Karlsruhe, the group explored the city on their own, visiting both the art museum and the palace.
But it wasn’t just the planned activities that created shared experiences. The international students also went out with their German fellow students outside the official programme and spent their evenings together in Stuttgart.
It was precisely this sense of togetherness – sometimes organised, sometimes completely spontaneous – that made the Intercultural Business Summer School more than just a joint study programme and transformed a group of students into a genuine community.
More than just a certificate
In the end, there is more to it than just academic knowledge: “I’m truly grateful for this opportunity – it gave me valuable knowledge, new friendships and a broader perspective on leadership across cultures, which I’ll carry with me into both my studies and my career,” said one participant, summarising his experience.
And the overall impression speaks for itself: “The classes were absolutely brilliant, and I enjoyed them immensely. I didn’t expect it to be like this, but it really was fantastic. Overall, I’m absolutely delighted that I applied for this summer school.”
Anyone wishing to gain further insights into ‘Leading Across Cultures’ can find plenty of moments from the two weeks in the International Office’s Story Highlight on Instagram (@hft_international).
A heartfelt thank you
The International Office would like to extend its sincere thanks to all the lecturers, contributors and supporters, as well as the sponsor, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), who made ‘Leading Across Cultures’ possible. And we’d like to give you a little sneak peek here: the Intercultural Business Summer School is set to return! Next year, international students will once again come to Stuttgart to learn together, discover new perspectives and, of course, take home plenty of memories. Further information on the 2027 Summer School will follow on the International Office’s website.
