Discovering Finland Bookends My UC Davis MBA

As I graduated from the UC Davis Bay Area MBA program, I was excited to move on to the next step in my professional and educational journey, but I also felt a bit sad.

My time at the Graduate School of Management had come to an end, yet I still wanted to pursue one more goal—an international study experience.

Then, a life-changing opportunity arose just after graduation: a two-week study at LUT University, located on the shore of the stunning Lake Saimaa in southeastern Finland.

LUT offers one to three weeks of MBA credit through international business and management courses, which are offered in the summer. The brief yet intensive format allows busy professionals to gain global experience without lengthy career interruptions.

For me, the chance to combine classroom learning with cultural immersion was too good to pass up.

Global Classrooms and Fresh Perspectives

At LUT, I took two week-long courses:

Week 1: Critical Issues in International Business and Entrepreneurship pushed us beyond theoretical frameworks into current global challenges. We analyzed real-time market disruptions with students from six countries.

Week 2: New Trends in Management focused on sustainable practices European companies implement ahead of U.S. markets. This gave me insights into trends that won't reach American business schools for years.

The classes were short but intense—similar to UC Davis’s MBA residential experiences. Instead of analyzing past case studies, we focused on cutting-edge research and developed solutions for current business challenges.

The best part was the diverse classroom environment.

I learned so much through each course, and collaborated with students from Finland, Slovakia, Pakistan, France, Germany and more. It was truly a life-changing experience.

Learning with Nature at Your Doorstep

The LUT campus sits on the shores of Lake Saimaa, the largest lake in Finland, surrounded by pine forests and walking trails. Finnish culture is shaped by jokaisenoikeus—“freedom to roam”—which gives everyone the right to respectfully enjoy nature.

Each day I walked to campus through wooded trails, sometimes stopping to pick wild berries. Weekly sauna nights, followed by swims in the lake, were a highlight and quickly became a favorite tradition among students.

It was an unforgettable balance of serious academic and cultural connection.

Exploring Lappeenranta and Finnish Culture

LUT is located in Lappeenranta, a city of about 73,000 people, just two hours east of the Finnish capital of Helsinki by train. With its walkable downtown, bike-friendly streets and thriving local culture, it reminded me of Davis—just with cooler summer evenings.

Program coordinators organized social activities nearly every evening, including a city tour, dinners at local restaurants, karaoke and bar crawls, a cruise on Lake Saimaa and, of course, more sauna nights. These cultural experiences made the program even more rewarding, turning classmates into lifelong friends.

Life-changing Experience

Between the incredible education and insights in the classroom and the unforgettable experience in the evenings, my time at LUT University was truly something I will keep with me for the rest of my life. I cannot think of a better way to conclude my MBA education.

Snapshots from Finland

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Evenings by the Lappeenranta harbor offered space to connect with classmates and reflect on the day’s lessons.

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Walking through downtown Lappeenranta, Alex Schultz MBA 25 noted the blend of history and modern life.

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At Lake Saimaa’s marina, Alex Schultz MBA 25 found a moment of pause—sailboats and open skies offering balance to an intensive study schedule.