Date : 31/5/2006

News Release
By Pipat Srimattayakul
MIM-19

Question: What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when the word “Europe” is mentioned?

During April 30th – May 7th 2006, a group of MIM19 students had a great chance of visiting some of the most powerful companies in the world during their business trip to Sweden and Denmark. The trip is organized annually, and this year, the group was scheduled to visit 5 companies and one of the leading universities in Sweden. As excited as they could be, the students gathered at Don Muang International Airport on Sunday night, held their jackets tight then flew on a nonstop flight heading for Vienna, Austria.

The group arrived early in the morning. We spent the first day visiting major tourist attractions such as City Hall, Vasa Museum and The Royal Palace. These places represent the beauty, the history and the civilization of Europe the way no other place could imitate. Answer No 1 : Beautiful historical civilization.

The next day started with a visit to one of the biggest companies in the Telecommunications industry, Ericsson. The company’s milestone and the current development make this giant a unique organization and puts itself at the front edge.
Then we moved on to Electrolux, one of the leading electrical appliances company. The company’s success comes from the understanding of the market and the good strategies that drive the organization. Answer No 2: Unique and successful businesses. Later on, students had a free evening to explore the city and to feel the way of living of the local Swedishes.
The third day was another exciting day for shopping lovers. IKEA has become the icon of Sweden and its success became worldwide in a very short period. Time spent at IKEA flew faster than we expected! In the afternoon, we left Stockholm behind and headed for Gothenburg. Students had a chance to explore the second big city of Sweden and its nightlife. Answer No 3: Cultural homogeneity and the world with no boundaries.


Our fourth day began at Gothenburg University, one of the city’s oldest and biggest universities. A tour of the university showed that the academic system and the importance of study are the key success factors for every society. After the tour, we visited SKF, one of the top ball bearing companies in the world. It was a good opportunity to see how critical expertise is required in businesses. A visit in the afternoon at AstraZeneca, one of the top pharmaceutical companies, proved that knowledge is not only critical for businesses but also for lives. Answer No 4: Good academic system and knowledge resources.

On the fifth day, the group visited the School of Economics and Commercial Law at Gothenburg University and attended lectures on Economics in Sweden before leaving for Copenhagen. A free afternoon and night in Copenhagen gave students a nice ending of the week. The next day, and the last day of the trip, was spent in Copenhagen. Students had a chance to enjoy the city and relax. The incredible moments we shared were good memories for all.

Last answer: MIM’s business trip has become the first answer when I think of Europe.























Thank you MIM staff and friends for such a great time.