Summer School Alum Story: Why diversity and inclusion matter – learnings from this summer

Jana Puhlmann from CBS International Business School in Cologne, and Nicolò Biso from University of Milan, joined Aalto University Summer School in summer 2025 to take part in the Managing Diversity and Inclusion course, a brand-new offering by Summer School that attracted students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. 

Jana works for a big organisation and wants to combine her dream of visiting Finland with studying a topic that would truly benefit her work and career.  

Nicolo, on the other hand, is working towards a career in HR and feels that the topic is essential to completing his professional profile. He didn’t find a similar course at his home university, which led him to apply for the summer course at Aalto. 

The course explores the key concepts and dimensions of diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion, highlighting their significance within organisational contexts. It also examines the historical and global development of diversity and inclusion, as well as the challenges organisations face in implementing them. 

'Hearing from students from China, Central Asia, Africa, or Europe, like me, helped me understand how everyone’s interpretation of the world can vary, depending on their background and culture. It’s essential to consider why certain aspects differ across countries and cultures, and, more importantly, how to address them respectfully. After all, we are a global society, and we need to manage relations with people from all over the world, both professionally and personally,' says Nicolò.  

'The course helped me become mindful about what I say and do – at work, in school, and at home. I also want to spread more awareness about the topic by simply asking: How are you planning to implement diversity and inclusion in your life?', says Jana. 

Real-world challenges and interactive lectures  

The aim of the summer course is to bring real-world dilemmas into the classroom. During the course, students met guest lecturers from different organisations and heard how they manage diversity and inclusion policies in their respective companies. 

'When designing this course, I wanted to move beyond abstract discussions and focus on the real-world challenges of driving diversity and inclusion within organisations. My goal is to empower the young generation with the critical thinking skills and practical tools needed to navigate these complexities,' says Linyu Liu, doctoral researcher at Aalto University School of Business and course teacher. 

'Linyu was a fantastic teacher. During the lectures, we constantly had the opportunity to exchange ideas and interact with her. I got the feeling that she truly valued our opinions and was genuinely interested in our point of view,' Jana shares. 

If you're into design – come to Helsinki 

Studying during the day and exploring as much of Finnish culture as possible in their free time became a routine for Jana and Nicolò during their two-week stay.  

'Helsinki might be under the radar for some, but it is definitely worth a visit. The city is full of art and architecture – it's a wonderful city to explore for any design enthusiast. Two weeks is the perfect amount of time for studying a new topic, but also leaves time for exploring and deep-diving into the city, the campus and the people,' Nicolò concludes. 

'The best part of the course was getting new friends and seeing the best of Helsinki. I honestly had so many nice moments that it is difficult to choose only one,' says Jana. 

'And don't forget to bring your swimsuit!' Nicolò laughs.

Managing Diversity and Inclusion will be offered by Aalto University Summer School in August 2026. Read more and apply below.