91传媒

From 9 to 13 March, the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) 鈥�Blended Total Immersion Week 鈥� Advanced Regional and Transversal Skills鈥� was organised for the eighth time as part of the university鈥檚 subject-specific elective module offering. The programme was once again hosted by the Institut Universitaire de Technologie (IUT) at Universit茅 de Bretagne Sud (UBS) in Vannes, France, where it had already been successfully delivered in 2023.

Around 30 students from six countries participated in the intensive pan-European format: Germany (TH Aschaffenburg), France (UBS), Italy (Universit脿 Cattolica del Sacro Cuore), Spain (Universidad de M谩laga), Finland (Turku UAS), and Sweden (Mid Sweden University). The programme was led by Sheila Campion O鈥橲ullivan (UBS), with Prof. Dr. Renate Link (Aschaffenburg UAS), the initiator of the BIP, serving as co-organiser.

One participant from Sweden summarised her experience as follows:

The programme centred on the theme 鈥淩isk Leadership in Business.鈥� In an increasingly dynamic economic environment, professional risk management is a critical competency. Participants explored different types of risk and developed the ability to identify, assess and strategically leverage them.

Lecturers from all partner institutions contributed academic perspectives, covering psychological, financial, marketing and intercultural dimensions of risk, alongside insights from project and industrial management. A field visit to the traditional Breton company La Belle-Iloise provided valuable practical context.

A key component of the programme was the interactive business simulation 鈥淜补濒测辫蝉辞,鈥� developed with the involvement of Dr. S茅bastien Dony (UBS). Working in international teams, students managed a fictional boatbuilding company, making strategic decisions across multiple rounds in marketing, production, supply chain management, finance and human resources. The outcomes were presented and critically reflected upon, highlighting the importance of informed and deliberate risk-taking for business success.

Developed by Prof. Dr. Renate Link, the BIP concept of 鈥淭otal Immersion鈥� integrates academic learning with intensive intercultural and language experiences. In addition to on-site teaching, the programme included preparatory and follow-up online phases as well as a range of cultural activities.

A French taster course, engagement with local residents and cultural excursions enabled students to experience Breton culture first-hand. The group was officially welcomed by Deputy Mayor Fabien Le Guernev茅 at the historic town hall of Vannes.

Culinary highlights 鈥� including a tasting of traditional galettes and cr锚pes accompanied by Breton music 鈥� rounded off the programme and offered authentic insights into the French art de vivre.

The next edition of the BIP is already scheduled to take place from 19 to 23 October 2026 at Universit脿 Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Piacenza (Emilia-Romagna), Italy. Under the theme 鈥淚talian Excellence,鈥� the programme will focus on the region鈥檚 distinctive economic and cultural profile. Piacenza lies at the heart of both Italy鈥檚 鈥淔ood Valley鈥� and 鈥淢otor Valley.鈥�

Applications will open at the end of April 2026.

Students at Aschaffenburg UAS may have their participation recognised as a subject-specific elective module (see module handbook, p. 172 ff.) and count it towards the additional qualification 鈥�Business Administration with an International Profile.鈥�

Further information on current Total Immersion BIPs is available on the university鈥檚 website.