Bridging Continents: Corvinus and UNC’s Joint Course Empowers Students
Now in its seventh year, this course has demonstrated the effectiveness of virtual teamwork and international cooperation. Throughout most of the course, students collaborated virtually, navigating time zones and cultural differences. This experience has shown the adaptability and connectivity of modern education, enabling students from different countries to work together successfully.
The in-country experience, where UNC students travelled to Budapest, was a key component. It was not just about completing the project in person but also about cultural immersion. UNC students had the opportunity to explore Hungary’s culture, while Corvinus students shared their experiences and formed connections with their American peers. This aspect of the course underscores the importance of personal connections and cultural understanding in international education.
Moreover, the faculty members have continuously exchanged teaching methods and educational insights, enriching the course year after year. This ongoing collaboration ensures that the course remains dynamic and beneficial, highlighting our commitment to providing a high-quality, evolving educational experience. The dedication of the faculty to improve and innovate their teaching approaches has been instrumental in the success of this course.
This year, our rector, Bruno van Pottelsberghe, invited the course leaders for a private dinner at a scenic riverside location in Budapest city centre. It was an opportunity to discuss achievements and future plans in a beautiful setting. We extend our gratitude for this experience.
We acknowledge the contributions of Michael Meredith, the course leader on the UNC side, for his leadership and dedication. We also extend our gratitude to Rebeka Nagy for her efforts in organising the final in-person days. Special thanks to Dániel Kostyal and Petra Jenei for their participation in the jury panel. We appreciate Benedek Szilágyi for providing the real-world business problem through his startup VoovoStudy.com. Additionally, we recognise Zita Kelemen for initiating this cooperation and her continuous support.
A special mention goes to Miklós Kozma and Bence Pistrui, who not only started this course eight years ago but have been leading it on the Corvinus side with continuous innovations ever since. Their vision and dedication have been pivotal to the course’s ongoing success.
The impact of this course on students has been profound. Some of the Corvinus students who participated this year shared their experiences:
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Németh Dániel and Szabó Zsófia reflected on hosting UNC students in Budapest. Zsófia highlighted the opportunity for meaningful conversations about cultural differences and similarities, fostering friendships across the ocean. Dániel noted that working with an international team helped him develop a more constructive communication style and understand the importance of compromise in collaborative work.
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Kurdi Petra mentioned that overcoming time zone differences was a significant challenge, yet it led to strong team harmony and valuable friendships with American teammates. She also gained insights into different presentation styles, improving her ability to engage audiences effectively.
We thank all the students from UNC and Corvinus who participated. Their dedication, commitment, curiosity, creativity, and talent have been instrumental in the success of this event. We look forward to the next course in 2026.
