Learning through experience: A look back at the Learning Journey 2025
- Dorothee Stühlinger
- 12 lis
- 4 minut(y) czytania
Sahaya Kulandaisamy, a doctoral student at the University of Mannheim, took part in the Learning Journey 2025 organized by the Professionals Academy in the USA. In this interview, she talks about factory visits, intensive discussions with industry experts, and working together in a European group that learned from each other not only professionally but also culturally. An interview about insights, changes in perspective, and how learning on the go can provide new impetus for research and practice.
ProAc: Think about the moment when you realised: “Participating in the Learning Journey was worth it.” What scene comes to mind first, and what feeling does it evoke?
I remember visiting several companies and plants, where we had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss our impressions with experts during and after each visit. We also exchanged ideas with fellow participants, many of whom were CEOs or professionals from sales and management. I found these discussions fascinating. Hearing different perspectives deepened my understanding of the industry, and that’s when I realised that the trip was truly worthwhile. In such a short time, we gained extensive knowledge, not just theoretically, but through active exploration, which made the learning experience even more exciting. The feeling it evoked was one of genuine satisfaction.
ProAc: How did you experience the preparation, schedule, and organisation, and what helped you focus fully on the content of the trip?
The preparation, schedule, and organisation for the trip were very well managed, especially considering the intensity of the program. The timetable was full and quite demanding, but that also helped us make the most of our experience and kept everyone on their toes. Everything, including accommodation, transportation, meals, and more, was well taken care of, so we could just focus on learning.
The handbook was also very helpful. It contained the schedules and profiles of the companies we were visiting, which made it easier to prepare and learn a bit about each place ahead of time. There were a few delays (totally normal when you’re in a foreign country) but overall, the the organization, especially across different states in the USA, ran smoothly and really helped us stay focused on the trip's content.
ProAc: How would you describe the atmosphere in the group, and how important is this event for future cooperation among participants?
The atmosphere in the group was fantastic—light-hearted yet highly motivated. The participants came from seven different European countries. We shared ideas and asked insightful questions, creating a genuine learning environment. We laughed a lot, learned a lot, and exchanged diverse perspectives. It was also interesting to see how participants from different European countries perceived American culture. Overall, these shared experiences strengthened connections and created new ideas and networks among us. this will certainly support future cooperation.
ProAc: How appropriate was the experience level of the program items for participants from the packaging industry, and where was this most noticeable?
Regardless of experience level, everyone had something to learn. Our group ranged from individuals in their twenties to those in their seventies, yet every visit offered valuable insights. The interactive Q&A sessions encouraged knowledge sharing across generations and expertise levels. It was inspiring to see how diverse experiences created synergy and sparked new ideas. This was a true example of collaborative learning in action.
Personally, I gained valuable insights from nearly all participants across all age groups, particularly from Mr Jürgen Heindl, the former CEO of Progroup, who accompanied us on this journey. His extensive industry experience provided valuable insights to many of us during the plant visits.
ProAc: Which insight from the trip has stayed with you the most, and where are you already applying it today?
As a researcher, I focused on understanding the differences between the European and U.S. cardboard packaging industries. The trip provided clarity on market dynamics, areas for improvement, and opportunities for collaboration. It shaped my perspective and guided the direction of my ongoing research into market consolidation and digitalisation.
ProAc: The Professionals Academy plans to conduct further Learning Journeys. What advice would you give future participants, and where did you find the greatest added value?
My advice is to come with a clear goal but remain open-minded and curious. Take time to connect with others, exchange perspectives, and reflect daily on what you’ve learned and how you can apply it. Also, don’t forget to enjoy the local culture. Learning becomes more meaningful when it’s both fun and immersive.
The greatest added value for me was experiencing a completely different culture. Being in a new environment truly sparked my curiosity and broadened my perspective. Observing how Americans communicate and really focus on customer satisfaction was such an eye-opener. It widened my understanding of global business and people in general, which has been quite valuable both at work and personally. Huge thanks to the Professionals Academy for making this journey so exciting and enriching!
Want to learn more about our Learning Journey? Then check out our travel report here:
Sahaya Kulandaisamy was born in India and holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science Engineering from India, and a Master's degree in Advanced Computer Science from the UK. She has over seven years of experience working with interdisciplinary teams on projects focused on digitalisation and entrepreneurship, where she has supported numerous student startup teams in developing early prototypes of their business ideas.
Currently, Sahaya is a doctoral researcher at the University of Mannheim. She is involved in a collaborative research project with JHH that explores horizontal cooperation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly family businesses in the packaging industry.