Saturday MBA Students Visit Stockholm – Jenny Scott, SMBA VIII

Saturday MBA Students Visit Stockholm – Jenny Scott, SMBA VIII

The international trip to Stockholm was an unforgettable experience. The city itself is a mixture of historic beauty and modern sleekness surrounded by lakes rich with greenery.  In this fairytale-like setting, we collaborated with our Swedish colleagues and several local companies to learn more about their culture, values, businesses and, in particular, their sustainability practices.  It was inspiring to observe the enthusiasm and passion they had driving them to be so environmentally-focused, which can oftentimes be met with opposition and resistance. From the site visits, presentations, and discussions, we were able to experience firsthand a shared, societal concern for the planet that would not have been possible in the traditional classroom setting.

When we were not learning about sustainability "best practices," we explored this beautiful and vibrant city. We tried the local cuisine, visited some world-renowned museums such as the Vasa and ABBA, did some obligatory souvenir shopping, and of course checked out the local nightlife. One ritual we learned about and gladly participated in was the essential fika. This Swedish equivalent of a coffee break usually also includes cinnamon rolls. This custom is not only palatable, but more importantly, it is a reminder to slow down and take the time to chat with friends or to even just take a moment for yourself. In Sweden, there is always time for at least one fika if not more! We left Stockholm with many great memories and some of that contagious Swedish energy for making a positive change in the world.