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Students visit University of Warsaw

Students visit Givaudan

Students visit the Vespa museum, Pisa

Students visit S'ant Anna School, Pisa

Students visit Givaudan, Warsaw

This spring, students from Business and Management, Economics, Accounting and Finance, and the Science Policy Research Unit gained first-hand experience of international business, sustainability, innovation, and economic development.

Through lectures, company visits and cultural activities, the trips helped students connect academic theory with real-world organisations and global challenges, from Poland’s economic development to biodiversity accounting, manufacturing, brand strategy and sustainable business.

Bringing theory to life through global experience

The study trips connected academic theory with tangible real-world contexts. Through a programme of lectures, company visits and cultural exploration, students deepened their understanding of global markets, sustainability and international business environments.

During the visit to the University of Warsaw, Cameron Bond (BSc Economics) said:

“I gained a deeper understanding in Economics with the focus on the Polish economy. It gave me greater knowledge of the important details of the global financial crisis and Poland’s response.”

Similarly, Haneela Campbell (BA Economics and International Development) highlighted the link between policy and long-term growth:

“It highlighted how strategic policy decisions can shape long-term economic stability, reinforcing my interest in sustainable and self-sufficient economic development.”

In Pisa, students exploring new areas of accounting at the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies were introduced to emerging themes shaping the future of finance. Muhammad Hammad (BSc Finance and Business) said:

“In a session on biodiversity and ecosystems I learned how traditional accounting does not fully capture a company’s environmental impact. This challenged my understanding of accounting and made me realise how important environmental and social governance, and sustainability, will be in the future of finance.”

Learning from global industry leaders

Students also gained exclusive access to international organisations, strengthening their understanding of how businesses operate across global markets.

In Warsaw, students visited , a global leader in flavours and fragrances. Hosted by Commercial Director Wojciech Osiński, the visit offered insight into multinational market positioning, regional supply chains and strategic management in Central and Eastern Europe. Gabriella Fagan (MSc Science and Technology Policy) reflected:

“It was great to visit Givaudan and better understand differences in business structure and organisation at a regional, national and international level, and how this underpins sustainable development and supports local consumers.”

Akane Tezuka (MSc Science and Technology Policy) added:

“Our visit to Givaudan gave me a deeper understanding of customer-intensive marketing strategy and their process for creating new products.”

In Pisa, students visited , the iconic manufacturer behind , gaining a behind-the-scenes look at global production and brand strategy. Muhammad said:

“Visiting Piaggio gave me a completely different perspective on how a world-famous brand operates behind the scenes. Seeing the manufacturing process up close showed me how much precision, organisation, and efficiency goes into producing each product. Overall, the visit reinforced the idea that successful companies need to balance tradition with innovation while leveraging strong brand collaborations to remain competitive.”

Building global skills beyond the classroom

Beyond academic and industry insight, the study trips helped students develop essential transferable skills, including adaptability, cultural awareness and communication, skill valued by employers in a global economy. Cristiano Teixeira Camara (BSc Economics and Finance) explained:

“I met fellow students from other years at ¹ú²úÄÚÉä, who suggested many different opportunities that Sussex offer, and they've all definitely expanded my horizons for my second year.”

Akane commented: “This trip is worth the investment. I learned that Poland is one of the fastest-growing countries in Europe.”

Connecting study to future careers

Across both trips, students consistently highlighted the value of applying academic knowledge in real-world international contexts. Muhammad reflected:

“Visiting institutions like the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies and companies such as Piaggio helped me understand the practical side of areas like sustainability, innovation, and operations management.”

These international study experiences are part of the Business School’s commitment to helping students develop the knowledge, confidence and global perspective needed for their future careers. By learning from academics, employers and peers in different countries, students were able to apply their studies to real-world settings and build skills in communication, adaptability and cultural awareness.

Look out for future study trip opportunities with the Business School. Contact business-international@sussex.ac.uk for more information.  

Read about our other recent study trips here.  Discover our courses here.

We’d also like to thank faculty and professional services staff, Massimo Contrafatto, Sumohon Matilal, Federica Pizzolato, Malgorzata Sulimierska, and Richard Warych, who accompanied the trips, whose expertise, guidance, and support were instrumental in making memorable experiences for our students.