Are you looking for hand-on experience of how to deal with a business problem?
JOIN the International Consultancy Project together with our exchange students!
Visiting (post)graduate international exchange students participate in the Master Exchange Programme. These students participate in our regular master courses, but in addition have the option to participate in the International Consultancy Project. This real-life consultancy project is organized twice a year (autumn + spring) and runs over a period of 4 months.
About ICP
A select group of RSM master students can participate in this project as well and have their master free elective replaced!
During these 4 months, you work intensively together in a team of exchange students on a consultancy project, for a company or institution. The project is supervised by both a university and a company coach. The general aim of the project is to respond professionally to a real-world management problem and to learn from working together in multidisciplinary and culturally heterogeneous groups. It futhermore permits students to combine theory and practice - learn how to formulate a project proposal and relevant research questions, analyze factors, develop recommendations and ultimately find solutions to the problem.
- If you are selected for the ICP, you also fulfill the role as an Exchange Ambassador for a group of about 5 exchange students, who also participate in the International Consultancy Project;
- You receive 12.5 EC for successful participation. If you are not going on exchange at the end of your master programme, you have the following two options:
- you can use the ICP to replace your Master Free elective;
- you take a regular Master Free elective and use the ICP as an extra Free elective.
If you do go on exchange, you have to leave your Master Free elective open, this means that you have to use the ICP as an extra Free elective.
- Your 12.5 EC from the ICP will count towards your GPA in all three above mentioned options.
- You are able to continue with your regular masster studies at RSM;
- You build up your CV and network of friends and future business contacts at the same time.
Because of its longstanding and excellent reputation, the International Consultancy Project is the primary reason to choose Rotterdam, say many of our visiting exchange students. And the more students RSM receives from our partner schools, the more RSM can send in return.
ICP flyer
Information about International Consultancy Project
The International Consultancy Project is the cornerstone of the Master Exchange Programme at RSM. Over a period of approximately 4 months, a team of international students works intensively on a consultancy project, for a company or institution. The project is supervised by both a university and a company coach. The general aim of the project is to respond professionally to a real-world management problem and to learn from working together in multidisciplinary and culturally heterogeneous groups.
Most students are already familiar with various business disciplines through course work; however the interdisciplinary use of this knowledge and the capacity to translate it into practical solutions is very often a new challenge. The project permits students to combine theory and practice – they learn how to formulate a project proposal and relevant research questions, analyze factors, develop recommendations and ultimately find solutions to the problem. In addition to providing hands-on experience of how to deal with a business problem, the course also offers a unique experience of working in a multicultural team.
For the companies involved in this course, it provides a unique opportunity to gain access to valuable knowledge, recommendations or solutions for a business problem within a relatively short period of time. Typically, the student teams introduce a refreshing outside perspective to the business issues they are addressing.
There is no such thing as a typical client or project. Client organizations can be large, prestigious multinational companies, medium-sized or entrepreneurial firms; the projects can have a HR, marketing, strategy, or logistic focus. However, in all cases the projects require a multidisciplinary, international team effort.
Some of the companies that recently participated in the ICP are: Aon, APL Logistics Nederland, Berenschot, CYTEC Industries B.V., Dialogues Incubator, DSM, Eastman Chemical, IBM, Johnson@ Johnson Medical, KONE, Royal Dutch Shell.
RSM’s Career Services is responsible for contacting companies, resulting in a description of the business problem. The student team must turn this brief into a feasible and realistic project proposal.
In general, teams consist of maximum five students: one RSM student and four students of other nationalities and/or backgrounds. Teams are composed on the basis of specific skills and competences required by the companies (such as expertise and language skills) and student’s preferences which they have communicated through the ‘Profile Sheet’. Furthermore, international diversity is taken into account in order to assure that the projects provide first-hand experience of working in a multicultural team.
An academic coach from RSM and an in-company coach from the client organisation are assigned to the project. In addition to providing useful suggestions on how to address research issues, the university coach has the role of promoting the team process.
Naturally, it is imperative for the success of the project that the student team develops a co-operative relationship with both coaches and manages to meet their academic and practical wishes.
Participating in the International Consultancy Project (ICP) was a highlight of my time at RSM.
Kathleen Boskill, MBA Candidate, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary
Application & Selection
In June (fall term applications) and October (spring term applications) can be accepted. The Exchange Office we will post information about the recruitment via Canvas pages of diverse Bachelor and Master programmes.
Another option is to be an Exchange Ambassador only and not participate in the ICP.
More Information & Contact
For additional questions or information, please contact:
Programme Manager Incoming Exchange
Working days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
RSM Exchange Office
Working days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday