Finland Vas Version

Resources

X-Culture Global Business Week Symposium

The University of Vaasa, Finland

Dates:

Sunday, August 03 – Saturday, August 09, 2025

Application Deadline: March 25, 2025

Notification of acceptance: March 30, 2025.

Number of Participants:

150 Students, 20 Ambassadors, and 25 Professors

Location:

University of Vaasa:

Wolffintie 32 FI-65200 Vaasa PL 700 FI-65101 Vaasa, Finland

This event is by invitation only.

You will receive your invitation by email.If you feel that we have an incorrect email address or that you should have received an invitation, please contact us at global@x-culture.org.

X-Culture and the University of Vaasa are excited to invite the best X-Culture students from around the world to The 2025 X-Culture Global Business Week Finland!

In this week-long professional development event, participants will have the opportunity to complete and compete in a consulting project challenge with a local international company, attend professional development and academic sessions, and experience cultural visits and events, all while collaborating with other X-Culture students and faculty from all over the world.

The University of Vaasa is internationally recognized as the 4th in Europe for research quality* and 18th globally for Business Administration**. It is a multi- and cross-disciplinary university driven by a mission of “Sustainable Business, Energy, and Society” (University of Vaasa Strategy 2030). It comprises four Schools – Management, Marketing & Communications, Accounting & Finance, and Technology & Innovations, as well as several technology labs and platforms for applied research. The University has one of the most beautiful campuses in Finland located next to a UNESCO world heritage site. The University of Vaasa proudly welcomes the guests to share its values of courage, community, and responsibility.

X-Culture Global Symposium 2025 this year will take place at the University of Vaasa – an internationally recognized research university located in the happiest country in the World – Finland.

You are welcome to the University of Vaasa and the city of Vaasa, which is the second most international city in Finland, after the capital – Helsinki. Thus, you will visit the city where diverse CULTURES form the DNA of the community.

In addition, Vaasa hosts a Leading Energy Technology Hub in the Nordic Countries, the region’s export sales account for up to 30% of all Finnish energy technology exports, bringing brilliant opportunities for X-Culture Symposium’s participants to explore sustainability in international business and global energy transition.

With one of the most beautiful campuses in Finland, located next to the UNESCO World Heritage site, the University and its environment welcome you to explore the intersection of international business, sustainability, energy, and advanced technologies.

The X-Culture Global Business Symposium is an event that brings participants together, chosen from the best of the best. Students from around the world form international teams, meet initially online and finally in person, to finalize their work in solving a real business problem. Since 2010, over 100,000 students from 115 countries and 701 universities have participated, and 16,846 international teams have been formed. Previous Global Business Symposium events have taken place in Miami, United States in 2017, Macerata, Italy in 2018, Calgary, Canada in 2019, Lublin, Poland in 2023 and Chaing Rai, Thailand in 2024.

The selection process is competitive, with a limit of 150 students. Preference will be given to student applicants who have demonstrated excellence in past X-Culture programs, with consideration given to maximizing geographic and cultural diversity.

Important Dates

STUDENT DEADLINES

Application deadline: March 25, 2025.
Announcement of the selected students: March 30, 2025
Payment
- Early-bird rate: $1,795, deadline April 30, 2025
- Regular registration rate: $2,095, deadline May 31, 2025
Students will receive Team Assignments 8 weeks before the event starts.

FACULTY DEADLINES

Application deadline: March 25, 2025.
Announcement of the selected students: March 30, 2025
- Early-bird rate: $2,195, deadline April 30, 2025
- Regular registration rate: $2,395, deadline May 31, 2025

REFUND POLICY

Jun 1 – 10 = 100% Refund (Less $100 for Service Fees)
June 11 – 30 = 50% Refund
No Refunds after July 1.

Applicants who need a visa to travel to Finland cannot pay in full until they receive their visas.
A non-refundable deposit of $50 is required upon registration to (hold your space), which we will deduct from the full payment of $1,795.
**Extension is permitted until May 31 for VISA applicants only.
**Please communicate your visa status to global@x-culture.org so that we can track your progress.

Conference Program

Sunday, August 03, 2025: Registration and Welcome Reception

Registration and Welcome Reception
Registration Desk 15:00 – 17:00
Students – Lobby, GreenStar Hotel
Faculty – Lobby, Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Vaasa
Welcome Reception 18:00 – 20:00: Vaasa City Hall

Monday, August 04, 2025: Orientation & Introduction to Student Teams

Breakfast at Hotel
Welcome Orientation: 9:00 – 12:00
Lunch Time: 12:00 – 13:30
Challenge Company Q&A Sessions: 13:30 – 17:00
Dinner on your own: Explore the city

Tuesday, August, 05: Company Site Visits & Concurrent Sessions

Breakfast at Hotel
Company Site Visits: 9:00 – 12:00
Lunch Time: 12:00 – 13:30
Concurrent Sessions: 13:30 – 17:00
Team Time/ Dinner on your own

Wednesday, August 06, 2025: Cultural Visits

Breakfast at Hotel
Cultural Activity/Cultural Visits 9:00 – 12:00: Stundar Open Air Museum
Lunch and Tour 12:00 – 16:00: Bock’s Brewery
Visit the World Heritage Site 16:00 – 17:00: Replot

Thursday, August 07, 2025: Team Presentation 1

Breakfast at Hotel
First Pitch: 9:00 – 12:00
Lunch Time: 12:00 – 13:30
Concurrent Session: 13:30 – 17:00
Team Time/Dinner on your own

Friday, August 08, 2025: Presentations 2 to Executives / Gala

9:00-12:00 Students Presentations to Companies
Lunch & free time visits. Welcome to check ideas for visits during your free time:
Boat trip in Archipelago
Ostrobothnian Museum | Vaasa
Zip park
Tropiclandia
Enjoy walks or cycling around Vaasa city
18:00-23:00 Gala dinner at Strampen and enjoying the sunset at the inner harbor of Vaasa

Saturday, August 09, 2025: Student Departures

9:00-12:00 Departure

POST-CONFERENCE TRAVEL OPTION: Saturday-Sunday, August 9-10

Traveling in the country or neighboring countries at your own cost – check out some traveling ideas here.

**We reserve the right to make changes as mandated by the program

Program Standards and Decorum

At X-Culture, we aspire to be global citizens—respectful of others, striving for excellence representing ourselves, our universities, and our countries. We take pride in setting a high standard and encourage you to do the same by being role models for one another.

During X-Culture Global Business Week, full participation is mandatory. This includes attending all sessions, as well as scheduled social and cultural activities, in accordance with our no-absence policy. Certificates and letters of participation will only be awarded to those who meet this requirement and uphold these values.
Additionally, adhering to the designated daily dress code is required. Your professionalism and decorum should reflect the high standards of an X-Culture professional.

Business Challenges Presented

by Local Partner Companies

To be announced in May

Program for Professors and Ph.D. Students:

Master Faculty Certification Training

This highly interactive program focuses on experiential learning methods in International Business education, equipping professors with the knowledge and tools needed to integrate X-Culture as a large-scale global experiential learning project.

Faculty will work both independently and collaboratively with peers from universities worldwide, investigating best practices, assessment strategies, and other core principles of X-Culture.

Participants also receive specialized guidance on seamlessly incorporating X-Culture into their curricula. Upon completing the training, attendees are awarded both the X-Culture Master Faculty Certificate and the X-Culture Global Educator Certificate, recognizing their dedication to innovative, experiential teaching.

All experience levels are welcome.

MORE INFORMATION: X-Culture Global Business Week 2025 Vaasa Faculty Invitation

X-Culture Research Hackathon

Professors and PhD students interested in boosting their research productivity and publication output will have the opportunity to participate in a week-long research hackathon that is integrated into the Symposium program.

Across multiple sessions throughout the week, hackathoners will brainstorm new ideas for publishable research papers, form co-author teams, and receive guidance from experienced scholars on designing and completing the study.

This immersive format accelerates the research process—from initial brainstorming to early drafts—making it a valuable experience for both seasoned academics and emerging scholars.

By the end of the Hackathon, you will leave with a clearly defined paper idea, co-authors, study design, theoretical foundation, a manuscript outline, and a clear step-by-step action plan for completing the study.

MORE INFORMATION: X-Culture Research Hackathons

Pricing

Students:

Early-bird rate: $1,795, deadline April 30, 2025
Regular registration rate: $2,095, deadline May 31, 2025

Professors:

Early-bird rate: $2,195, deadline April 30, 2025
Regular registration rate: $2,395, deadline May 31, 2025

The Conference Fees include

Student hotel, double occupancy per room at the GreenStar Hotel Vaasa.
- (Please note that you will be required to have a credit card for your hotel room for incidentals. It is necessary to provide the hotel with at least one credit card per room.)
Faculty hotel, single occupancy at Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Vaasa
Welcome Reception
All breakfasts and lunches
Dinners at the Welcome Reception and Gala are included
All scheduled conference cultural visits, lectures, and guest presentations.
Local transportation to company site visits and cultural visits.
Welcome Reception and Gala and Award Ceremony

Also:

Participated in business challenges with Finnish companies, including webinars, client company visits, and proposal presentations.
Skill Development by attending cultural events, lectures from professors from all over the world, and networking with like-minded students and professors.
Building your International Business Skills through Experiential Learning
Experiencing and learning about Finnish history, culture, and sustainability aspirations
Experiential Learning in Global Virtual Teams
Conference materials.
X-Culture Global Business Week Participation Certificate and Recommendation Letter
A new global network of friends (who are as highly motivated as you are!)

For faculty, the conference fee also includes:

Research Xackathon led by Dr. Vas Taras.

X-Culture Master Faculty Certification led by Professor Karen Lynden.

Personal Expenses

What participants will be paying on their own for:

Travel to Vaasa, Finland
- The registration fee does not cover your trip to and from Vaasa, Finland. Depending on your location, the airfare can cost you up to $400 if you live in Europe or up to $1,200–$1,800 if you live abroad (The Americas, Asia, or Africa). Prices may vary depending on the time of booking and airline. It is advisable that you start tracking the cost of your trip as soon as possible to secure the best price.
Finland’s Visa Processing Fee
- If required, you can check visa requirements here.
- Note that Visa processing fees vary by country.
Dinners
- Only the Welcome Reception and Gala dinners are included in the participation fee.
- Other meals will be at your own expense, with average dinner costs in Vaasa ranging from $15 to $40, depending on the restaurant.
- We encourage you to plan these dinner opportunities with your team and/or newfound friends to explore the city as well as try new cuisines.
Other Personal Expenses
- This includes items such as souvenirs, local transportation, snacks, or optional tours.
- Budget around $100–$300, depending on personal preferences

The 2025 Global X-Culture Finland Leadership Team

Dr. Vasyl Taras
Founder, X-Culture

Dr. Vas Taras is a Professor of International Business at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
He is the Vice President-Administration of the Academy of International Business and the founder of the X-Culture Project. He received his Ph.D. in International HR and International Business from the University of Calgary, Canada.
His research and work revolve around cross-cultural and global virtual teams and experiential approaches to international business education and development. He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of International Management, the International Journal of Cross-Cultural Management, the European Journal of International Management, and Cross-Cultural Strategic Management, and an Editorial Board Member of the Journal of International Business Studies, Academy of Management Review, and Journal of World Business.
Vas has lived, worked, and studied in half a dozen countries and has experience as an academic, manager, entrepreneur, and business consultant.

Dr. Leilani Baumanis
Conference Chair

Dr. Leilani Baumanis is the Academic Program Coordinator and Professor for the International Business Management Program at the College of Business and Management at Lynn University.
She earned her Doctorate in International Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University and has over 25 years of teaching experience with a focus in active learning, cultural intelligence, and study abroad opportunities.
Since 2013, Dr. Baumanis has played a vital role in X-Culture. In 2017, she joined the Executive Team and contributed to the development of the X-Culture Global Business Symposium, a week-long international conference bringing together 200 of X-Culture’s finest students and faculty. Additionally, Dr. Baumanis leads the X-Culture Academy, a global virtual team program that concentrates on college-bound students aspiring to enhance their international business skills through collaboration with like-minded students from across the globe.

Timothy Muth

Timothy Muth
X-Culture Client Management

Tim Muth has taught various Business courses at the Florida Institute of Technology since 2007. He has been involved with X-Culture since 2012. Tim spent over 25 years in various executive management positions working for a Fortune 500 technology company. He has worked in, or traveled to, over 50 foreign countries. Tim holds degrees from Florida State University and Wake Forest University.
Tim has won numerous teaching awards. In 2023, he won Florida Tech’s highest teaching award (the Kerry Bruce Clark award for Excellence in Teaching). In 2019, he was named one of six faculty members to receive the prestigious Master Teacher award. A scholarship named the “60th Anniversary Professors” was established to honor the Master Teachers. In 2020 and 2021, he won the Student Government Association “Professor of the Year – College of Business” award.
Tim is actively involved with several non-profit groups. He leads a non-profit organization (Hearts Out to Haiti) that provides support for educational programs in two remote mountain villages.
He coordinates the Business Challenges and Student Professional activities at the X-Culture Global Business Week.

Karen Lynden
Conference Faculty
Development Lead

Karen Lynden teaches at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, supporting the International Business and Management concentrations. Her teaching philosophy is centered on experiential and project-based learning.
As an active member of the X-Culture project team, Karen directs the Coaching Program, in addition to supporting roles. She has been teaching with Global Virtual Team programs since 2014 and has had over 1,000 students complete these projects successfully in her courses across multiple higher education institutions.
Karen brings with her 20+ years of higher education and industry experience. Organizations have relied on her to develop global and domestic teams while managing a broad portfolio of client accounts. A primary focus of her industry experience includes creating and facilitating organizational development training programs. Karen’s research interests include; global virtual teams, cross-cultural team and management topics, and organizational training and development.

Adam Smale

University Faculty Dean

Professor Adam Smale is British and Finnish by nationality. Adam has lived in Finland since 2004. He is Pa’s professor of Management and has been serving as the Dean of the School of Management since 2018.
He has taught courses in International Human Resource Management, International Strategic Management, and International Management at the EFMD-accredited Master’s Degree Programme in International Business. He has over 20 years of experience in teaching in MBA programs and has received a number of awards for his teaching at the University of Vaasa.
Since 2018, his teaching case on global talent management at KONE has been an international bestseller and won the Best Case Award in 2020 for cases in the organizational behavior/HRM category.
His research interests focus on HRM, talent management, and careers in the international context. He has published in journals such as the Journal of International Business Studies, the Journal of World Business, and Human Resource Management.
He currently sits on the editorial board of the Human Resource Management Journal.
He is the HR Ambassador for Finland in the Academy of Management HR Division and is a Finland representative in the GLOBE studies, CRANET, and the Cross-Cultural Collaboration on Contemporary Careers.

Aušrinė Šilenskytė
Lead Faculty Host

Aušrinė Šilenskytė is a Program Manager (Bachelor’s in International Business) and an Ambassador for Internationalization at the School of Management, University of Vaasa, Finland.
She also serves as a Founding Governing Board member at the AIB-CIBER Doctoral Academy and previously served as a Chair and Vice Chair (Communications) at the Academy of International Business Teaching and Education Shared Interest Group.
Šilenskytė holds a PhD in the area of international management and is an alumnus of the prestigious Nord-IB program, and her research centers around strategy implementation, blockchain adoption in international business management, and innovations in business education, particularly related to social sustainability.
Aušrinė teaches various topics related to international management to undergraduates, master’s degree learners, executives, as well as professionals in continuous education.
Aušrinė has received several international awards for her research and as an educator. Before joining academia, Aušrinė worked in managerial positions in Lithuania and Egypt. Throughout her academic career, she has consulted international firms and led international industry-academia collaboration projects, such as DEI4SME.
She is Lithuanian by nationality and has lived in Finland since 2010.

Tiphaine Delecour
Faculty Coordinator

Tiphaine Delecour is a project researcher and coordinator at the University of Vaasa.
Her research field focuses are international business management and strategy implementation. She works closely with different projects, companies, and researchers, to raise awareness in these fields.
Her expertise in project work serves the School of Management and several projects.
Tiphaine is also an active supporter of the international community in Finland through her work and volunteering activities.

Maddalena Dulio
X-Culture Lead Ambassador

Maddalena Dulio is a Senior Project Manager in the Legal Department at the German-Italian Chamber of Commerce in Milan, Italy. She graduated with an MSc in Foreign Languages and International Management at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan. She has participated in several international experiences involving cross-cultural counseling services, market and business development, and event management. She is fluent in English, German and Italian.
She has been part of the X-Culture family since 2014, being a former X-Culture student, X-Culture Coach, Head Coach, and X-Culture Lead Ambassador.
She was the Conference Assistant and the Lead Ambassador of the X-Culture Business Week in Calgary, Canada; Lublin, Poland; and Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Carlos Cardona
X-Culture Lead Ambassador

Carlos holds a degree in International Business with a concentration in French from the University of La Verne, California, where he developed a strong foundation in global business strategies, cross-cultural communication, and international market dynamics.
As a former X-Culture student, Coach, and Senior Coach, Carlos gained extensive experience in global virtual collaboration, international project management, and leadership development. His journey with X-Culture provided him with hands-on experience in guiding diverse, multicultural teams to successfully complete complex business projects.
From 2017 to 2021, Carlos served as the X-Culture Coaching Coordinator, where he was responsible for overseeing the global coaching program, mentoring new coaches, and ensuring the effective management of student consulting teams worldwide. In this role, he played a pivotal part in enhancing the quality of team performance and project outcomes across various international business challenges.

Srishti Konduparthi
X-Culture Lead Ambassador

Srishti Konduparthi is an honors undergraduate student majoring in finance, minoring in music, and pursuing an HR management certification at the University of Central Florida.
She completed the X-Culture project as part of her dual enrollment International Business course at the Florida Institute of Technology in 2021. After graduating high school, she decided to take a gap year and joined the Coaching Program and has been a part of X-Culture ever since.
She has served as the Webinar Coordinator for the X-Culture Coaching program; as an Ambassador for the X-Culture Global Business Week Conference in Lublin, Poland, and Chiang Rai, Thailand; and as the X-Culture Assistant at the Academy of International Business conferences in Atlanta, Georgia, and St. Louis, Missouri. She co-authors the company challenges with Professor Tim Muth for various X-Culture symposia.