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SME Challenges on Internationalisation
SME Challenges on Internationalisation - Where Local Business Meets Global Strategy!
This Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) is jointly coordinated by NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences (NHLS), Technical University of Liberec (TUL) and University of Galați (UGAL).
Ever Wondered What It Takes For A Local Business To Succeed On The Global Stage?
This BIP takes you straight into the reality of international business consulting. You’ll move beyond textbooks to capture, analyze, and solve real challenges faced by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Friesland, The Netherlands. You won’t just learn about business; you contribute to companies. Get ready for an international, hands-on experience combining cross-cultural teamwork, creative problem solving, and real-world pressure. You’ll dive into Design Thinking techniques, master digitalization strategies, and perfect your sales pitch to turn abstract ideas into concrete business solutions.
Your BIP Journey!
Connect with students from various RUN-EU institutions. You’ll explore the fundamentals of intercultural business awareness and complete your group assignments to prepare for the main event. In addition, the in-person week steers you and your team further to:
- Work in multidisciplinary international teams to tackle live company cases.
- Participate in interactive workshops where you apply Design Thinking to innovate and solve complex problems.
- Collaborate directly with local entrepreneurs to understand their specific hurdles in an international environment.
- Wrap up the week by pitching your digital deliverables and findings to a jury of industry experts.
Learn From Industry Experts and Business Professionals
Throughout the week, you’ll be guided by a mix of experienced lecturers, business entrepreneurs and the local government as a stakeholder. They will share insights on collaboration, digitalization, and how to navigate the complexities of the modern international market.
Why Should You Join?
This isn’t just about theory; it’s about the impact that this BIP will have on you. You’ll train your consultancy skills, work with real clients, and develop a professional network that spans borders.
Join us for this opportunity to develop yourself towards an international business change agent, identify the international business environment relevant for an organisation and relate this to the organisation’s future goals.
5th of March 2026 to 31st of March 2026
English
To be defined by each home institution. In general terms, most students will have this RUN-EU E+BIP certified in the Diploma Supplement, as a minimal condition upon approval from their study programmes.
This BIP is open to Bachelor and Masters students with a keen interest on Internationalisation, International Business & Leadership.
Application for this product is closed.
Please contact the International Office or RUN-EU Office at your home institution for more information.
Programme at a glance
- Overview of the BIP.
- Instruction and explanation about the preparation assignment and important dates.
- Introduction to Intercultural proficiency and collaboration.
- Instruction for individual preparations for the in-person week.
AM: Check in and official opening, introduction to DBE concept and campus tour.
PM: SME company visits (empathise with internationalisation challenge(s)), tasty introduction to the (Frisian) culture.
Day 2: Tuesday 10th March 2026
AM: Seminars on SME challenges in internationalisation, definition of team specific challenge, working session 1, production of the team charter canvas.
PM: Working session 2 and Leeuwarden tour.
Day 3: Wednesday 11th March 2026
AM: Workshops on SME solutions in internationalisation, working session 3, production of the problem framing canvas.
PM: Introduction to convincing idea presentation, working session 4 on idea iteration.
Day 4: Thursday 12th March 2026
AM: Final instruction session, working session 5 on idea prototyping
PM: Final Fair preparations, production of the business model canvas.
Day 5: Friday 13th March 2026
Prototype Testing Fair and Networking event, award ceremony, closing and departure.
- Prepare presentation for the Virtual Session 2.
- Submit the finalised prototype.
- Official closing moment to wrap everything up and share conclusions, recommendations, learning moments and perhaps future actions.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme, learners will be able to:
Following the Design Based Education philosophy; students will explore these five facets:
- Multidisciplinary collaboration – collaborate on real-life issues with the field, researchers and students from other programmes in an international context.
- Design Thinking – Diving into an issue, designing solutions and exploring what works.
- Personal leadership – Becoming aware of one’s own identity and shaping one’s own learning route.
- Sustainable education - Organising one’s own learning process, taking responsibility and contributing to social issues.
- International & Intercultural - Having an eye for international and intercultural aspects, being open to other views and making use of diversity and inclusive society.
Collaborate effectively with different kinds of stakeholders in different cultural landscapes to contribute to achieving agreed (project) goals.
Define and identify the international business environment relevant for an organisation and relate this to the organisation’s internal environment.
Advise on the international business needs for the company in a systematic and analytic approach.
Through this project and working with local SME's students will better understand the challenges small-medium enterprises face when it comes to Internationalisation.
Selection criteria
Selection will be based on interest and motivation for the topic.
Involved organisations and persons
"Dunarea de Jos" University of Galați
Partner Organisation- Irina Susanu (Instructor)
- Nicoleta Cristache (Instructor)
NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
Host Organisation, Lead Organisation- Sanda Ntayiya (Instructor)
- sietse schaafsma (Lead Instructor)
Technical University of Liberec
Partner Organisation- Ondrej Linhart (Instructor)
WRKLab
- Rinke Bolster (Regional Stakeholder)
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Grant Agreement Number: 101124674
