International Bridging Cultures through Innovation Week (BIP) at the IBA
Exploring Danish Business and Communication in a Global Context
Target group: Prerequisites for participation is minimum 3rd semester of bachelor’s studies in business-related or design-related programs.
Location: International Business Academy, Havneparken 1, 6000 Kolding, Denmark.
Dates: 10-14 November 2025 (arrival on Sunday, 9th of November)
Registration deadline: 30th of October 2025. Please register HERE.
Virtual component: 6th November 2025.
Credits: 3 ECTS
BIP project number: 2024-1-DK01-KA131-HED-000232084-6
Project description
This project invites students from across Europe to explore how Danish culture, communication style, and innovation mindset create one of the world’s most business-friendly and creative environments. Through company visits, cultural experiences, and interactive workshops, students will compare Danish and international approaches to doing business, reflect on intercultural communication, and develop their own innovative, cross-cultural business concept.
Learning Outcomes and Competencies Obtained from this Project
By the end of the project, students will be able to:
1. Identify key aspects of Danish culture, communication patterns, and their impact on business behavior.
2. Explain Denmark’s position as an innovation leader and ease of doing business.
3. Compare Danish approaches to entrepreneurship and innovation with their home countries.
4. Apply trendspotting and scenario thinking to propose an innovative business idea or cultural concept adapted to the Danish context.
5. Demonstrate intercultural collaboration and reflective communication skills in a multinational team.
Pre-departure virtual component ‘Getting Ready for Denmark’ (6 November, 19:00)
Participation in this mandatory online orientation and introduction session is required for all students prior to their arrival in Denmark. The session is designed to prepare participants for the academic, cultural, and social dimensions of the project week, ensuring a smooth transition into the programme.
During this interactive session, students will:
• Meet the IBA organisers and fellow participants from partner universities across Europe.
• Receive an overview of the project’s theme, structure, and assessment activities.
• Be introduced to the IBA and Danish approach to teaching, learning, motivation, and assessment.
• Engage in short interactive activities or polls to reflect on their own cultural backgrounds and expectations.
• Obtain practical information regarding travel to and accommodation in Denmark, including preparation guidelines and recommendations.
• Prepare a brief 2–3 sentence reflection outlining their expectations for personal and professional learning from the project and the study visit in general.
Completion of this component will ensure that students arrive in Denmark well-informed, culturally aware, and ready to engage actively in all aspects of the project week.
Practical information
Location: International Business Academy, Havneparken 1, 6000 Kolding, Denmark.
Dates: 10-14 November 2025 (arrival on Sunday, 9th of November)
Registration deadline: 30th of October 2025. Please register HERE
Virtual component: 6th November 2025
Credits: 3 ECTS
Price: 320€
Included in the price:
- Accommodation (5 nights, Sunday to Friday)
- Breakfast (x 5, Monday to Friday)
- Lunch (x 5, Monday to Friday)
- Dinner (x 2, Monday & Thursday)
Participants are kindly requested to bring traditional snacks/sweets/candy from their home country, for the ‘International Food Tasting’ that is included in participants’ presentations of their school and country.
Health Care & Insurance
If you require healthcare, you will be asked to provide proof of insurance. Therefore, ensure that you have adequate coverage. Remember to take any necessary medication from home as well. If you have a Blue European Health Insurance Card, please bring it with you as well.
Currency & Payment
The official currency in Denmark is the Danish Kroner (DKK). Please note that the EUR is not accepted in shops/supermarkets.
Make sure you have organized several different ways to access your money in your home country before you arrive in Denmark. International credit or debit cards are accepted at most, but not all shops.
Weather
Mid-November in Denmark is usually rather cold. The forecast says that the temperature on the days of the international week should be around 5-10 °C during the day. Nevertheless, Danish weather is unpredictable, it might be sunny, it might rain or even snow (crossing fingers that it will not).
Please check the forecast and be prepared to dress accordingly. It is advised to bring a mix of warm and lightweight clothing, as well as a raincoat and waterproof shoes.
Transportation
Billund Airport (BLL) is the closest airport to Kolding. There is a direct bus from the airport to Kolding (no. 166), but please note that bus transportation is not very frequent in the evening.
Copenhagen Airport (CPH) is about 2.5 hours away from Kolding, with frequent train and travel times.
You can use RejsePlanen to plan your journey/buy tickets, if you are using public transportation.
Arriving in Denmark
If you arrive by train or bus, you will usually come to the Kolding Train station.
If you are flying – the nearest airport to Kolding is Billund Airport.
The fastest way to get to Kolding from Billund Airport is by bus no. 166.
You can check the schedule for the bus 166 here. Remember to look at Billund Lufthavn – Billund – Kolding when travelling to the IBA. When travelling back, you need a schedule for Kolding – Billund – Billund Lufthavn. Note that there is also a separate schedule for Sundays and other weekdays.
The price for one ride is 74 DKK. You cannot pay by card on the bus, so please make sure you have cash to pay for the ticket or use the App called “Rejsebillet” (available in English) or use the ticket machine before exiting the airport terminal. See the screenshots below.
Taxis are rather expensive in Denmark, but if you come with the group, it might be an option to explore. Uber is not operating in Denmark.
If you are flying to Copenhagen Airport, you can buy the train tickets upfront on the official website here or at the ticket kiosks right at the Airport Terminal.
Another way you can buy bus ticket is upon arrival at Billund Airport (just before the exit at the terminal). You can also find information on the different routes and buses, where you can pre-purchase your ticket and pay with cash or by card at the automat – see below.
Accommodation
Kolding Hotel Apartments
Kedelsmedgangen 2,
DK-6000 Kolding, Denmark
https://www.koldinghotelapartments.com/
The rooms are pre-booked for participants of the international week. Students will be divided into apartments by gender, and each apartment has the capacity for six students (two in each bedroom), with a shared kitchen and bathroom. The accommodation is in downtown Kolding, around 1.5 km away from the IBA Campus (7-10 minutes’ walk).
Please remember that you get breakfast at the IBA, not at the hotel.
Your accommodation is booked from Sunday, 9th November 2025, 15:00 until Friday, 14th November 2025, 12:00.
You will need to check out of the hotel and take your belongings with you to the IBA on Friday morning, the last day of the programme.
If you want to arrive earlier/leave later than the indicated dates, you will need to make the accommodation arrangements on your behalf.
Please read the Hotel Rules:
CHECK-IN AFTER CLOSING HOURS (Arrival after 22:00)
Upon arriving outside the opening hours of the reception, your keycard will be placed in our safebox outside the reception.
The code for the safebox you will get by contacting the reception within the opening hours.
Outside the opening hours of the reception, you will be able to call the guard on +45 4017 5418.
ID
At check-in, all guests in the apartment must present a valid photo ID. If requested, the ID must also include an address. All guests are asked to fill in a form with address, name, nationality and other information. This is to fulfil the requirements in relation to current Danish legislation.
Inventory
As a tenant, you are responsible for the furniture in the apartment. In special cases, a deposit may be charged for the booking. This will be announced prior to arrival.
Quiet after 10 pm.
After 22:00 there must be peace and consideration must be given to the hotel’s other guests. Do you experience unnecessary noise and noise after 10 p.m., you can contact our guard on tel. 40 17 54 18
Non-smoking apartments
All the hotel’s apartments are non-smoking apartments. Smoking must take place outdoors. Use the outdoor metal ashtrays or borrow an ashtray at reception.
Internet Access
Free Wi-Fi is available at the hotel, and access will be provided by the hotel reception.
On campus, free Wi-Fi is available. You will be provided with the login information upon arrival.
Meals
| Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | |
| Monday, 10th November | Provided by the IBA | Provided by the IBA (take-away) | Provided by the IBA |
| Tuesday, 11th November | Provided by the IBA | Provided by the IBA | Own expense |
| Wednesday, 12th November | Provided by the IBA | Provided by the IBA | Own expense |
| Thursday, 13th November | Provided by the IBA | Provided by the IBA | Provided by the IBA |
| Friday, 14th November | Provided by the IBA | Provided by the IBA (take-away) |
We advise you to bring your reusable water bottles with you. Clean drinking water is available from the taps on/off campus.
There will be vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available. If you have written that you have dietary restrictions (halal, gluten-free etc.) we will accommodate this as well as possible.
The IBA will open its own student bar on campus this Thursday evening. The bar will be open until 21:00. Each student gets two drinks included. Additional drinks will be available for purchase. Payment can be made in cash (Danish currency only) or by credit card.
(For those of you who are staying Friday night as well, the student bar is open from 12:00-17:00)
Campus Location
IBA has one campus located in the city centre of Kolding. It is only a 7-min walk from the main train and bus Kolding station.
Address: Havneparken 1, 6000 Kolding, Denmark
Opening Hours: 07:30 – 22:00

Virtual Component
Pre-departure virtual component ‘Getting Ready for Denmark’ (6 November, 19:00)
Participation in this mandatory online orientation and introduction session is required for all students prior to their arrival in Denmark. The session is designed to prepare participants for the academic, cultural, and social dimensions of the project week, ensuring a smooth transition into the programme.
During this interactive session, students will:
• Meet the IBA organisers and fellow participants from partner universities across Europe.
• Receive an overview of the project’s theme, structure, and assessment activities.
• Be introduced to the IBA and Danish approach to teaching, learning, motivation, and assessment.
• Engage in short interactive activities or polls to reflect on their own cultural backgrounds and expectations.
• Obtain practical information regarding travel to and accommodation in Denmark, including preparation guidelines and recommendations.
• Prepare a brief 2–3 sentence reflection outlining their expectations for personal and professional learning from the project and the study visit in general.
Completion of this component will ensure that students arrive in Denmark well-informed, culturally aware, and ready to engage actively in all aspects of the project week.
Programme
9th November, Sunday
| Time | Location | Activity |
| From 15:00 | Kolding Hotel Apartments
Kedelsmedgangen 2A, 6000 Kolding |
Check-in to the hotel |
10th November, Monday
| Time | Location | Activity |
| 07:30 | Kolding Hotel Apartments | IBA Staff will meet you at the reception |
| 08:00 – 08:45 | IBA Canteen | Breakfast at the IBA |
| 08:45 – 09:45 | IBA | Registration, Welcome & Intro |
| 10:00 – 10:45 | Transport from IBA | |
| 11:00 – 14:00 | LEGO House, Billund | Learning through play – visiting the LEGO House |
| 14:00 – 14:45 | Departure for Kolding by bus | |
| 14:45 – 15:00 | Coffee Break | |
| 15:00 – 17:00 | IBA Auditorium (Next to the Canteen) | Lecture and discussion: “Alice in LEGO… LAND” Understanding Danish Culture and Values, with Anatolie Cantir |
| From 18:30 | Asia Restaurant, Sydbanegade 2A, 6000 Kolding | Welcome Dinner |
11th November, Tuesday
| Time | Location | Activity |
| 07:15 – 07:45 | IBA Canteen | Early Breakfast at IBA |
| 08:00 – 11:00 | IBA Room 4.04 | Danish Business Communication, with Kelli Terkelsen |
| 11:00 – 11:45 | IBA Canteen | Lunch |
| 11:45 – 14:45 | IBA Room 4.04 | Trendspotting and Future Scenarios, with Kelli Terkelsen |
| 15:00 – 16:00 | IBA Room 4.04 | Project Briefing Session + Teachers’ supervision, with Oksana Jørgensen
The groups review project guidelines, choose a focus area, and begin initial idea development. |
12th November, Wednesday
| Time | Location | Activity |
| 07:15 – 07:45 | IBA Canteen | Breakfast at IBA |
| 08:00 – 11:00 | IBA Room 4.04 | Ease of Doing Business in Denmark, with Albert Elam |
| 11:00 – 11:45 | IBA Canteen | Lunch |
| 12:00 – 14:30 | IBA Room 4.04 | Project work + Teachers’ supervision |
| 15:00 – 17:00 | Entrance to Koldinghus Castle – Koldinghus 1, 6000 Kolding | Koldinghus Castle tour, with Morten Kier. |
13th November, Thursday
| Time | Location | Activity |
| 08:00 – 08:30 | IBA Canteen | Breakfast at IBA |
| 09:00 – 11:00 | IBA Room4.04 | Chinese Business Culture and Tea Ceremony: Understanding cultural contrasts between Danish and Chinese business practices. Exploration of intercultural respect, rituals, and relationship-building. |
| 11:00 – 11:45 | IBA Room 4.04 | Independent Group Work and Project Preparation |
| 11:45 – 12:30 | IBA Canteen | Lunch |
| 13:30 – 14:30 | IBA Room 4.04 | Independent Group Work and Project Preparation |
| 17:30 – 22:00 | IBA Canteen Area | Pizza Party (Social Event) |
14th November, Friday
| Time | Location | Activity |
| 07:30 – 08:30 | IBA Canteen | Breakfast at IBA |
| 08:30 – 10:30 | IBA Room 4.04 | Final Group Presentations ‘Bridging Cultures through Innovation.’ |
| 10:30 – 11:15 | IBA Room 4.04 | Wrapping up and Certificate ceremony |
| 11:15 – 11:45 | IBA Room 4.04 | Evaluation survey |
| 11:45 – 12:30 | Outside IBA Room 4.04 | Lunch (Take Away) & Goodbye |
IBA Coaches
You can contact Oksana if you have any questions about the academic part of the programme (assignments, timeline etc.).
If you have any questions, please write to us at studyexchange@iba.dk