Meiji University Business School (MBS) recently conducted its international exchange program, International Week, in partnership with AESE Business School, based in Lisbon, Portugal.
International Week is organized as part of MBS's Global Business Studies course, which is designed to foster students’ global mindset and cross-cultural understanding. The program also serves as a reciprocal exchange initiative through which students from MBS and AESE Business School visit each other’s institutions and engage in academic and cultural learning experiences.
International Week at Meiji, Tokyo
May 25-29, 2026
In May 2026, 61 students from AESE Business School visited Japan and participated in a week-long program centered at Meiji University's Surugadai Campus, together with seven MBS students and MBS alumni.
The program opened with a special lecture by the Ambassador of Portugal on the historical relationship between Japan and Portugal. Throughout the week, participants explored a wide range of topics, including comparisons between Japanese and European business cultures, long-term management practices in Japanese companies, innovation, the management of Japanese general trading companies, and the social implementation of hydrogen energy in Japan.
Participants also attended lectures and field visits focusing on community development in the Mt. Takao area, engaged in a case study on long-term capitalism at Mori Building, and visited corporate sites. In addition, discussions with professionals from trading and energy companies provided valuable insights into Japanese management philosophy and sustainable growth strategies.
Beyond classroom learning and company visits, MBS and AESE students participated in discussions and group projects, exchanging candid perspectives on business environments, career development, and leadership. Working collaboratively across cultural boundaries fostered meaningful international engagement both inside and outside the classroom.
International Week at AESE, Portugal
September 9-12, 2026
From September 9 to 12, 2026, 10 MBS students participated in International Week in Lisbon hosted by AESE Business School.
International Week is part of the AESE Executive MBA international education program, designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the global business environment, cultivate international leadership capabilities, and expand professional networks among participants from around the world.
Under the theme “Excelling in Leadership,” students explored the impact of global economic and geopolitical changes on business management, creative problem-solving through Design Thinking, and leadership in the age of artificial intelligence. Through lectures, case discussions, and collaborative group work, MBS students engaged in lively discussions with participants from institutions including the Cracow School of Business (Poland) and Danube Business School (Austria).
Company visits provided opportunities to learn from organizations in a variety of industries, including telecommunications, infrastructure, and media, with a particular focus on digital transformation and business innovation initiatives. Participants also attended networking dinners and cultural events that introduced them to Portuguese traditions and society.
For MBS students, the opportunity to learn and collaborate in English with business professionals from diverse national and professional backgrounds proved to be a highly valuable experience that enhanced both their global perspective and leadership capabilities. Combined with the exchange activities held in Tokyo in May, the Lisbon program demonstrated the tangible outcomes of the growing partnership between the two institutions.
A highlight of the networking program was a live performance of Fado, Portugal’s traditional music, which provided participants with a deeper appreciation of Portuguese culture while strengthening relationships among attendees from different countries.
By engaging not only in academic learning but also in direct interaction with businesses and local communities, participants gained a multidimensional understanding of the connections between business, society, and culture.
Looking Ahead
The exchange program provided a valuable opportunity for participants to learn about business practices, cultural perspectives, and management challenges across different countries and regions while building international networks that transcend national boundaries.
Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants noting that the program exposed them to diverse global perspectives and helped them better understand the mindset required of international business leaders. The program served as a strong example of MBS’s ongoing commitment to internationalization.
The experience also generated important insights for the future development of MBS education, including approaches to integrating geopolitics and management studies, practical learning through Design Thinking, and leadership education for the era of generative AI.
The relationships of trust established through the exchanges in Tokyo and the subsequent reunion in Lisbon represent more than a one-time international experience. They provide a foundation for sustained academic and educational collaboration between MBS and AESE Business School.
MBS will continue to strengthen its partnership with AESE Business School and expand opportunities for global learning, including future editions of International Week in Tokyo. Through these initiatives, MBS remains committed to developing globally minded leaders equipped with both strategic vision and practical capabilities in an increasingly interconnected world.
