Check out the events, organized for and by IM students. This will shed light on the other side of the course, IM is not only lessons and exams!
What happens when a group of ambitious, internationally-minded students come together to explore the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and business? The WFI Summer School in Germany offers precisely that—a dynamic environment where participants from the Master’s Degree in International Management at Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna step out of their academic routines and into an immersive, hands-on learning experience.
With a focus on "Responsible Innovation in Firms and Society: Digitalization, Sustainability, and More," this program is designed to challenge perspectives, foster cross-cultural collaboration, and encourage students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios. But beyond academics, it’s also a journey of personal and professional growth.
In 2024, 19 students from the International Management program at Bologna took the opportunity to participate in this enriching summer experience. Among them were Mikhail Terekhov, Marco Sponticcia, Federico Santi, and Anastasiia Lebedeva, who shared their perspectives on what made this journey particularly meaningful.
For Mikhail, originally from Russia, this experience was another step in his transition from International Relations to a business-oriented mindset. “I wanted to study abroad and find a program that blended management and economics,” he explains. The Summer School deepened his understanding of emerging technologies in modern business. “Seeing real-world applications of these innovations was eye-opening,” he says.
Marco, from Pesaro, had already embraced an international perspective through an Erasmus experience in Rotterdam. The Summer School was an opportunity to strengthen that outlook. “The mix of finance, management, and an international environment was exactly what I was looking for,” he says. He particularly enjoyed the hands-on approach of the German teaching method, which “focuses a lot more on case studies and teamwork compared to traditional Italian courses.”
For Federico, co-founder of ECONOVA-AI, a startup focused on AI and sustainability, the experience added new dimensions to his entrepreneurial ambitions. “It was a challenge to debate complex topics with professors and peers from different backgrounds, but it was incredibly rewarding,” he reflects. The exposure to international business strategies complemented his startup experience.
Meanwhile, Anastasiia, also from Russia, found the program to be a perfect match for her passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and international business. “I have always been fascinated by how different cultures approach business challenges,” she shares. The Summer School provided a chance to refine her management skills, particularly in responsible innovation and sustainability. “The program’s diverse and interactive structure helped me develop a strategic mindset and practical skills essential for leading in an international business environment.”
The WFI Summer School is an intensive academic program combining coursework, corporate visits, and cultural immersion. Students choose up to four courses from a diverse selection, including Responsible Innovation, Sustainable Entrepreneurship, and AI Revolution. A highlight of the program is the capstone module, which includes a business immersion in Munich. “The curriculum was very dynamic,” notes Marco. “From day one, we were engaged in group projects, working with people we had just met.”
Beyond the classroom, the program offers excursions to Munich and Regensburg, as well as networking events with industry leaders. Mikhail particularly appreciated the visit to KPMG’s Munich office and the cultural outings. “These were among the most significant moments – learning outside the classroom,” he reflects. Anastasiia agrees, highlighting that “working in international teams during classes felt a bit like a summer camp! Seeing how students from different cultures approached business challenges was incredibly enriching.”
The Summer School’s structure encourages active learning, pushing students to collaborate and tackle real-world challenges. Federico highlights how presenting in an international environment improved his public speaking skills: “It was a challenge to debate complex topics with professors and peers from different backgrounds, but it was incredibly rewarding.” Marco found the hands-on approach particularly valuable, noting that “the German teaching method focuses a lot more on case studies and teamwork compared to traditional Italian courses.”
One of the key takeaways for Mikhail was understanding how emerging technologies are shaping modern business, particularly through the Retail Innovation course. “Seeing real-world applications of these innovations was eye-opening,” he says. Anastasiia, on the other hand, found the intensive coursework and collaborative projects essential for refining her strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. “I developed practical skills in cross-cultural teamwork and decision-making, which are essential for my future career,” she reflects.
For students aspiring to leadership roles in the global economy, experiences like the WFI Summer School are invaluable. Exposure to different teaching methods, collaboration with international peers, and direct engagement with industry professionals all contribute to a well-rounded education. “Interacting in an international setting has expanded my worldview and strengthened my ability to navigate diverse perspectives,” says Federico. Marco agrees, adding that “this experience reinforced my desire to work in an international and innovative environment.”
Opportunities like this don’t just happen—they are built into the very fabric of the Master’s in International Management at Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna. More than just a degree, the program encourages its students to step beyond the classroom, to test their skills in real-world contexts, and to make the most of every learning experience. After all, what is education if not a bridge to new perspectives, new challenges, and new ambitions?
In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to adapt, collaborate, and innovate is essential. The WFI Summer School provided students with not only academic knowledge but also the soft skills and global mindset necessary for success. As Federico puts it, “One day, we’ll look back and be glad we took these opportunities. You might not remember every lesson, but you’ll always have a story to tell.”
December 2019
Before dealing with Macfuge, an Italian engineering firm based in Ozzano dell’Emilia, we had no idea about industrial centrifuges and the complex world behind it. Now we are not mechanical engineers, but we would feel more than confident in talking with them. IM has the power to give you a great bunch of knowledge in a short time.
Thanks to Alessandra Raggi, the professor of B2B international marketing, we had the opportunity to meet Filippo Ferrari, the business developer of Macfuge.
December 2018
How many of you had been stuck in the queue of a bank branch for hours? A lot I imagine.
But how many of you had the pleasure of spending one day at the HQ of the bank itself, discussing, presenting and having fun with their managers? Few, I think.
This is the great opportunity that IM, thanks to the B2B Marketing course, gave us.
December 2018
To properly celebrate our priceless collective identity, with the help of a generous team of alumni and students we have organized a very special day, dense with meetings, roundtables and opportunities for networking with an amazing community of alumni, strong of over 1000 professionals scattered across many different industries, countries and management domains.
March 2018
On Wednesday, March 28, IM students attending Prof Ferriani’s “Business Venturing” class, pitched their final ideas in front of a committee of experts composed by IM alumni, UNIBO faculty and external experts. It was a fun day!
Here the list of participating teams with a short description of their business ideas.
May 2017
IM Project Management Class had the great chance to visit Maserati Headquarters and plant, based in Modena, on May 12.
Thanks to Professor Gherardi and Megan Clancy, former IM student and now Product Marketing Specialist in Maserati, students could experience the reality of one of the greatest Italian and worldwide excellences in the automotive industry.
March 2016
This is a happy picture of an amazing day spent with the CEO of IMA s.p.a and his staff in Ozzano dell'Emilia. The company is a world leader in the design and manufacture of automatic machines for the processing and packaging of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, tea and coffee.
May 2016
It has been an unexpected honour to be selected, with my colleague Lorenzo Bezzi, by the Boston Consulting Group as a possible “Future Maker”. This formative initiative was developed in order to celebrate the BCG Italy 30th anniversary. They have been selecting 100 possible "talents" among more than 1200 profiles for four months.
May 2016
IM Class visited Lombardini (Kohler Engines) on May 20. The company, based in Reggio Emilia, manifactures different kind of engines. The visit was organized to conclude with the final project of the course “Problem Solving”: the Company wants to expand its business to China and Mr. Galli, Director of the HR Dep., offered us the possibility to find strategic and reasonable suggestions and solutions to face the big Chinese market.
May 2016
During the class of Business to Business Marketing, thanks to professor Alessandra Raggi, we had the chance to attend an amazing webinar with Brian Wallace, the founder of Nowsourcing. The company is an award winning nationally recognized infographic design Agency, founded in 2005. Among its clients, the Company includes some international big pillars, such as L’oréal, BBC, FedEx, Forbes...
September 2016
The date of the 1st IM Global Reunion, the event that reunites all the classes that have been part of IM, from 2008 to 2017, is official:
The event was a nice opportunity to get to know people from other years, meet Alumni who are currently working in some of the most successful companies of the world and share the pride of being IM Alumni!
May 2015
IM 1st-year students visited Lombardini Kohler in Reggio Emilia on May 22 to present their proposal to the Board of Managers.
Lombardini Kohler’s HR Director in his speech to the class on April 24 also presented the business case on which the class would have had to work. The topic was “How to increase the company culture through their internal Academia giving higher visibility inside and outside the company“.
