A group of MSIL students have just returned from Europe, where they completed consulting projects with startups and multinational companies as a part of the Center for Leadership Education’s Immersion Program.
This program, which runs throughout the first few weeks of January, enables students to apply their engineering mindset to business challenges, collaborate in diverse teams, and explore global business cultures. They also enjoy free time to tour historic cities, visit museums, and sample local cuisine.
Students are placed in one of four locations: Braga, Portugal, at the Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL); Coimbra, Portugal, at the Instituto Pedro Nunes (IPN); Cuenca, Spain, at the Urban Forest Innovation Lab; or Copenhagen, Denmark, at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) where they collaborate with local students. Alternatively, students can complete projects in Baltimore and enjoy a weekend trip to New York for site visits and cultural experiences.
Linda and her team presenting at DTU.
We spoke with Linda Wang, an MSIL student pursuing the engineering management technical track, about her experience in Copenhagen. Linda’s team worked with Siemens and Rambøll to determine how to prepare employees as organizations transition to a highly AI-enabled environment. “We examined how employees can be supported through training, mentorship, and clear decision boundaries as AI becomes more integrated into daily work. Our recommendations emphasized strengthening mentorship programs and clarifying when human oversight is necessary, especially for people-related and high-impact decisions,” she said.
Linda and classmates touring Denmark.
The program in Denmark is unique, as it allows Hopkins students the opportunity not only to collaborate with international businesses but also to work with local students at DTU on interdisciplinary, multicultural teams. Their varied perspectives, shaped by diverse academic backgrounds, influenced the way the team approached problem-solving and solution development.
“They often brought viewpoints influenced by the European and technical context, which complemented how our team thought about the same challenges. Outside of project work, they also shared local recommendations on places to visit, which helped us better understand Danish culture and made the collaboration feel more personal and engaging,” Linda said.
Beyond the academic work, students enjoyed connecting with each other and their DTU counterparts as they explored new countries. In Copenhagen, they toured Helsingør and Kronborg Castle, where Shakespeare set Hamlet, saw Copenhagen by boat, and briefly visited Sweden.
MSEM and MSIL students at the Technical University of Denmark.
Linda says she would recommend the immersion program to other MSIL students because of the diversity of perspectives and the hands-on work with clients. “It is a great opportunity to learn through real projects, meet new people, and gain insights from classmates with very different backgrounds. Being exposed to new perspectives makes the experience especially valuable. On top of that, the chance to travel and experience another country is always a bonus,” Linda said.