Haaga-Helia has developed close relationship and co-operation modes to our partner Mondragon University and its TeamLabs in Spain since 2019. Numerous TeamLabs students have been developing innovative projects in Haaga-Helia premises. In year 2023 the co-operation developed and for the first time students had an international project week in Madrid.

The second international project week took place in November 2024. Two teachers and 15 students travelled to Madrid with the support by Erasmus + finances and assignments from Finnish companies to be solved.

TeamLabs Madrid as a partner

TeamLabs defines itself as a radical learning lab that trains teams to deal with uncertainty. The methodology, based on real projects in innovative environments, fosters a fast and ongoing learning mindset and accelerates the capacity for anticipation, reaction and entrepreneurship.

Our collaboration takes place with university students and specifically with the Leadership Entrepreneurship and Innovation official degree program. For learning to take place, real projects are developed and real customers are managed. All this while generating a positive impact on society.

Students learning by doing

During a whole week, our students lived immersive experience-based learning by doing in teams. They developed their projects in mixed teams, Finnish and Spanish students working together, and experiencing different dynamics starting from knowing each other to presenting their final projects on the last day. During this process they met with diverse challenges: adapting to the methodology, lerning to trust the process, discovering cultural differences and Spanish market needs.

They were hosted by local team coaches with the responsibility to hold, support and facilitate the creation of a safe space that allows teams to benefit from the experience and fully embrace the process. A team coach aims at never interfering with the process; rather, to hold it. 

Practical learning was the way studies were organised. Since teachers were coaches, and students were learners, the style of communication was different from the normal class room. Students worked in small teams of 5-6 students with the aim of a prototype for a business idea they selected together on the first day. Students used design thinking methods to work with the prototyping.

On the last day of the week all the teams presented their outcomes and an action plan for the next steps. Results showed that all prototypes could be launched and presented to the market and developed further.

Students’ experiences and feedback

Haaga-Helia´s students found the TeamLabs method of studying interesting. ‘Trust the process’ was one of the leading quotes students learned to rely on and it really made sense. The dialog ring became a relaxing way to learn from each other: give space to others and share own thoughts and ideas.   Interviewing local entrepreneurs and potential customers on the streets of Madrid was a bit exciting and scary, but turned out to be an interesting experience, actually a highlight of the week.

I concluded that the best adjective to describe my week is unforgettable. When I applied to Haaga-Helia, I promised myself to make the most out of it within life’s given limits. I think this experience was a perfect example of that and I’m glad I applied and very thankful that I got selected.

Haaga-Helia´s students described Madrid as an amazing and inspiring city with lots of things to do. Students even discovered work possibilities in the near future. Students found the Spanish culture warm and wished to learn more about it. They pointed out the politeness of Spanish students, who greeted fellow students, teachers and even the receptionist when arriving at the school in the morning. Friendliness and hospitality between students is amazing.

Negotiating and talking business felt more flexible compared to how Finns tend to get straight to the point. Students experienced Spanish siesta with long lunches and coffee breaks.  

In Spain people aren’t in a rush and lunch break can easily last two hours and you really have time to chit chat with your fellow students.

The project week was an invaluable experience, both academically and on a personal level. Students learnt many new skills during the week, starting with organisational skills as they organised the trip, including transportation from Helsinki to Madrid and back to Helsinki and accommodation for the week. The best take-away of the week, in a nutshell, would be the enhanced entrepreneurial spirit and attitude of our students.

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