Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences is actively involved in international mobility events promoting entrepreneurial skills such as the European Sales Competition 2024, Mission Goes Global 2024, Ulysseus Entrecamp 2024, and the COEUR Project. These events are essential for Haaga-Helia as they align with the institution’s focus on practical, applied learning, offering students the opportunity to experience real-world scenarios in diverse cultural and economic contexts.

The COEUR project is a vivid example of these skills needed to succeed for our students that have an international BBA. This project exhorts students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset for future challenges that they will have in an international environment. Thus, the importance of studying abroad, as highlighted by the OECD (2023), includes the provision of quality education, improved employability, and pathways to international careers.

Fostering Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurial Mindsets Through International Mobility

International mobility is a priority at Haaga-Helia, not only for enriching students’ learning experiences but also for fostering innovation and creativity. Exposure to different educational approaches abroad inspires students to learn new methodologies and business models, which they can adapt upon return.

Moreover, facilitating such mobility strengthens Haaga-Helia’s reputation as a globally committed institution, attracting a diverse student body that enriches the academic environment.

COEUR 2022 & 2023: Case Studies in International Collaboration and Entrepreneurial Learning

In 2022, the author participated in COEUR 2022 (Competence in Europreneurship), an initiative started in 2004 that emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurial competencies in driving change and process-oriented strategies (Eickhoff et al., 2014). Hosted by Mainz University of Applied Sciences, the 2022 edition focused on Smart Cities. The author’s participation served as preparation for hosting the 19th edition of COEUR in Finland, highlighting Haaga-Helia’s capacity for international collaboration.

After thorough preparation, Haaga-Helia successfully hosted COEUR 2023, gathering 30 students and 10 staff members from Scotland, Germany, Mexico, Poland, Switzerland and Finland in Porvoo. Despite challenges, the organising team effectively linked businesses with the university and delivered a world-class agenda. The event’s theme, “Tourism of Happiness,” merged Haaga-Helia’s expertise in Business and Tourism, featuring renowned speakers and company visits that focused on sustainable tourism.

The programme included company visits, lectures, creative sessions, and nature walks, culminating in six projects evaluated by industry experts. Multicultural teams, each with at least one student from the invited countries, presented innovative projects like “Nature Nest”: a natural facility that offers the environment as a quality-of-life value including floating transparent houses with AI stars detectors”.

The Finnish applied education methodology shone through, allowing students to work autonomously while being inspired by practical knowledge shared by businesses and speakers. Feedback from students indicated that the programme exceeded their expectations, with comments praising the valuable connections and insights gained.

Impact and Future Prospects: The Success of COEUR 2023 and Beyond

COEUR 2023’s success was evident when the student application rate surged by 500% compared to the previous year. This achievement was driven by the efforts of Coaches Maija Suonpää, Sari Haavisto, and student Planner Artem Kislukhin, along with effective word-of-mouth and social media promotion. The upcoming 20th edition of COEUR in Wroclaw, Poland, will explore the theme “AI: Man vs Machine,” building on the momentum generated by the 2023 event.

Conclusion: The Long-Term Benefits of International Mobility and Entrepreneurial Development

Organising these mobility events in Finland opens doors for partnerships with businesses that offer students insights into Finnish operations and entrepreneurial practices, enabling them to bring new ideas home. COEUR 2023 provided an invaluable platform for students worldwide to learn about Finnish culture, and also to develop crucial entrepreneurial skills. By engaging in such projects, students expand their networks, enhance their entrepreneurial thinking, and gain both academic and personal growth that will benefit them throughout their careers.

Moreover, more projects like COEUR could emphasize the importance of international mobility not just for cultural exchange but for empowering the next generation of global entrepreneurs.