An international atmosphere in practice
From the very beginning, it was clear that this was a genuinely international event. Participants came from diverse backgrounds, yet conversations started naturally and easily. It was particularly interesting to hear presentations from other higher education institutions. They provided valuable insight into how different organizations operate and what their key focus areas are. At the same time, this created a natural opportunity to reflect on our own practices—what we do similarly and where there might be room for development. Networking was a central part of the week and took place organically throughout the program. There were many discussions, and the exchange of concrete experiences and ideas was especially valuable.
AI as a key discussion topic
The AI workshop was one of the clear highlights of the week. The topic attracted broad interest, and the discussions were lively. The focus was not only on technology itself, but more importantly on how AI is visible in everyday work and how it can be applied in practice. It was useful to hear about experiments already carried out in different organizations and the experiences gained from them. The discussions also highlighted a shared situation: most organizations are currently in a similar phase, learning, experimenting, and searching for effective ways to utilize AI.
The environment supports the experience
There was also time to explore the surroundings during the week. Nice provided a pleasant setting, and activities outside the formal program brought good balance to the overall experience.
A joint visit to the village of Èze was one of the most memorable experiences. Its location and scenery were impressive, and the setting provided a great opportunity to continue conversations in a more relaxed context.
Key takeaways
Rather than a single major insight, the week provided a broader set of outcomes:
- new international contacts
- better understanding of practices in other higher education institutions
- ideas for utilizing AI
- concrete insights applicable to my own work
Conclusion
The International Staff Week in Nice was, overall, a highly functional and rewarding experience. It successfully combined content, people, and environment. Warm thanks to ISIM Business School for the excellent organization—the week left a positive and practical impression to build on.
This was also my first time participating in an international staff week. The experience was eye-opening in many ways. Beforehand, it was difficult to fully anticipate what to expect, but in practice the overall experience turned out to be very effective. This first experience significantly lowered the threshold to participate in similar events in the future. Attending such weeks now feels like a natural way to develop professional skills and gain new perspectives for my own work.
Written by:
Petteri Aaltonen, AV-asiantuntija.
