A peek behind the curtain of the International Student Projects (ISPs)

The International Student Projects comprise five annually organised projects that highlight the economic and cultural diversity of Asia and North and South America. Each project includes a preparatory seminar in Switzerland, a two-week seminar abroad and a final event. The projects are aimed at FHNW Bachelor students in higher semesters and offer a unique, educational experience that promotes personal and professional progress. Those interested can apply as a delegation member or as part of the project team. Over the course of a year, the project team makes all the preparations and organises the seminars in Switzerland and abroad.

The Project Lifecycle

May: The project supervisors begin interviewing applicants and recruit the new project teams.
July: Kick-off meeting with all projects; the previous project team passes the torch to the new members.
Juli - September: The new team participates in several tutorial sessions to prepare for the various tasks; they develop this year’s theme, define concrete destinations and begin looking for sponsors and partners.
October: The project team recruits delegation members.
February: A preparation seminar takes place in Switzerland, organised by the project team for the delegation. This week-long event includes expert speakers, workshops, company visits, and opportunities for networking and discussing the project topic.
March/April: During the on-site seminar abroad, the delegation benefits from visits to companies, universities and embassies.
May: At the closing event in Switzerland, all ISPs present the experiences and insights gained during the project.

"I learned to be more creative, think outside the box, and develop on-the-spot solutions when needed."

David was part of the ExploreASEAN project team in 2024 and shares his experience and offers a unique glimpse into his adventure.

David, what makes the ISPs unique?
All International Student Projects are highly hands-on. There’s no lecturer telling you exactly what to do. The project supervisors usually work behind the scenes, offering support and leveraging their professional networks to open doors. However, it’s up to the team to seize these opportunities and successfully realise the project.

What was your role in the project?
Together with a fellow student, I was responsible for public communications, which included managing the website, overseeing social media and other platforms, handling graphic design, and supporting other project members with their tasks. My role also involved ensuring smooth communication throughout the project and creating engaging content for all relevant stakeholders, including the FHNW, sponsors, and partners.

What did you learn?
I learned to work effectively under time pressure and enhanced my networking and graphic design skills. A key insight I gained is that the ASEAN business landscape is far more extensive and intriguing than one might initially assume. There are opportunities for innovative business ideas everywhere, and our visits to embassies, companies, and universities in Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore truly highlighted this.

Before the project, I was more by-the-book. During the project, I learned to be more creative, think outside the box, and develop on-the-spot solutions when needed. After a year with ExploreASEAN, I can confidently say that I’ve become much better at navigating uncertainty. 

What advice would you give to students taking part in the next projects?
Immerse yourself fully in the project, stay open to new experiences, and most importantly, enjoy the journey!

Special thanks go to our sponsors, who make the International Student Projects possible. In particular, we would like to thank our long-standing partner Blaser Swisslube.