BETWEEN CULTURE, HISTORY AND AN UP-AND-COMING ECONOMY
- 10.06.2024
Among other things, the students visited the free port of Riga on their study trip.
In mid-May 2024, students from the part-time bachelor's degree program in International Business & Management at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol traveled to the capital of Latvia, Riga, to explore Latvia's diverse culture, fascinating history, and economic potential.
This year, the students and their Director of Studies, Prof. (FH) Dr. Peter Dietrich, jointly chose the city of Riga as a destination. The trip began with an exploratory tour of the old town, followed by exciting visits to up-and-coming companies. The students had the opportunity to discover both historical and modern business centers and thus gained valuable insights into the economic and cultural characteristics of the Latvian capital.
Diversity and tradition in the heart of the Baltic States
During the trip, the students among other sights visited the Occupation Museum, where the eventful and moving history of the country is laid out in impressive fashion. Exhibits, documents, and personal anecdotes provided a deep insight into the challenges and suffering of the Latvian people. Riga's eventful history certainly makes it a fascinating destination for history buffs. The students also had the opportunity to experience the vibrant culture of the Latvian capital and explored the old town at the heart of the city with its charming alleyways, impressive Art Nouveau buildings, and cozy cafés. A particular highlight was the start of the Ice Hockey World Championship, in which Latvia played Austria.
Riga as the center of the Latvian economy
Together with the business delegate of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, the students visited the free port of Riga. The central importance of the port for the regional economy and the implementation of modern logistics and sustainable practices was vividly demonstrated by the hosts. The program also included visits to Latvijas Finieris, a plywood producer, and MikroTik, a leading manufacturer of router software and devices known worldwide for its innovative network solutions. The construction site of Rail Baltica, an ambitious infrastructure project that will connect the Baltic states to the European rail network, offered an impressive insight into the technical and economic aspects of the project. Rail Baltica is intended to strengthen regional cooperation, promote trade, and create a sustainable transport infrastructure. The tour concluded with a visit to Fits. (Future Intelligent Transport Systems) by the company dots.,, where the students learned about innovative applications of computer vision and intelligent transportation systems.
Overall, the study trip to Riga offered a valuable mix of historical, cultural, and economic experiences, provided a deep understanding of the many facets of this dynamic city, and enriched the participants’ education in a unique way.