Written by Oskari Paloheimo, Student at the University of Vaasa, Finland, who visited the PUCP, Peru, autumn 2024 for a short study abroad trip funded by the TFK2023

Reflecting on Sustainability and International Business

During the study trip we visited Cusco, several places in the mountains and Lima. Through these activities I learned that sustainable international business involves understanding the local culture and market before expanding. For example, when we visited the Business Finland office, we learned how important it is for businesses to adapt to the local environment and culture when looking to expand internationally. This taught me that sustainability isn’t only about environmental concerns but also about being culturally aware and flexible.

Comparing Finnish and Peruvian Business Practices

I think Finnish and Peruvian business environments are almost opposites. Finland places a strong emphasis on transparency, equality and environmental awareness while having strict regulations that guide businesses toward sustainable practices. In contrast, the Peruvian government may indirectly support informal business practices due to limited regulation or enforcement.

The differences are probably due to the varying ability to control and regulate businesses. Finland has the resources and infrastructure to enforce strict regulations, making it easier to maintain transparency and sustainability. In Peru, the government faces more challenges with resources and economic growth which can make it harder to enforce strict rules, allowing more informal and illegal business practices to emerge such as street vendors and informal transportation.

Uwasa VS PUCP

First of all, the campus was huge with 30 000 students and 5 000 employees, so the size of my hometown! Finnish universities tend to focus on independent study and research, while PUCP’s approach encouraged group work and discussions. The professors were highly approachable, making it easy to ask questions and engage in conversations. The learning environment felt more interactive, with a focus on practical applications and collaboration among students, which I found both refreshing and valuable for expanding my perspective.

Memorable moments from Pamplona Alta

One of the most impactful parts of our trip was visiting the Pamplona Alta slums. The visit served as a powerful reminder of the economic disparity within Lima. We went to Pamplona Alta with a non-profit organization called Sanima, which provides “a sustainable and safe sanitation alternative to households in urban settlements without access to the public water and sewerage network'” (https://sanima.pe/en/about-us/). Seeing Sanima’s efforts firsthand was inspiring. Sustainable business isn’t only about profits and global reach but about understanding and positively impacting local communities.

Acknowledgement

This visit was part of a collaborative project “Education for sustainable internationalisation of a firm (ESGinMNC)” uniting the PUCP and the University of Vaasa. The project was funded by by the Finnish National Agency of Education, TFK 2023. This project has been coordinated by Aušrinė Šilenskytė, Program manager and researcher at the University of Vaasa, Finland.