Estonia
Economics students at KUL used design thinking to work on deepening Polish-Estonian economic cooperation. The projects were prepared for the Embassy of Estonia.
A real challenge for a real partner
We combined design thinking classes with the idea of service learning: students took on real challenges for a partner who could make use of their ideas. You can watch a report from the event below, filmed by TV KUL.
More about service learning projects at KUL →
How the project unfolded
- 1Discovering with expertsThe students met a representative of the Embassy of Estonia in Warsaw and of Enterprise Estonia. They asked about trade and investment relations and about the Embassy’s work so far.
- 2Several months of workshop workResearch teams used design thinking to work on solutions that deepen cooperation.
- 3Presentation to the EmbassyThe students presented specific projects that the Embassy could initiate.
What the participants gained
More openness, a willingness to share ideas, better communication and teamwork, and greater ease in taking criticism.
They learned what such work involves and saw how knowledge of international economics solves practical problems.
The Embassy gained ideas for innovative solutions that strengthen trade and investment relations between Poland and Estonia.
A few reflections from students
I find the method itself revolutionary. It lets you find a problem, understand it and solve it in the best possible way. Working in groups and with people showed me that you can rely on more than yourself alone and that you need to open up to other people’s ideas.
A strength of these classes was working in groups and sharing your ideas in front of everyone, because it helped me step out of my comfort zone and cope better in such situations.
My resilience to criticism grew and my shyness faded, and I was more engaged in class too. I became more open and began to share my ideas with the rest of the group more boldly.
I have a wider picture of the society around me and I can understand much more, and put myself in other people’s shoes.
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