Bayes MBA students head to Kenya and Turkey for International Consultancy Week 2025

Enhancing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategies, establishing international growth and dealing with operational issues and challenges were among the projects undertaken by Bayes MBA students, throughout the International Consultancy Week as part of full-time and executive programmes.

Each year, students travel to a different country to work with local businesses on consultancy projects in teams. The week is designed to expose participants to working in alternative company settings under the time pressure of a week.

This year, Executive MBA students travelled to Nairobi, Kenya, where they worked largely with impact-driven businesses including a national coffee brand, an innovative insect farm, financial services and a pan-African tech firm among others. Throughout the week they coached clients to navigate structural challenges, while working with them to develop plans for growth and innovate.

For many, a critical first task was to immerse themselves with market and local intelligence, before forging relationships with clients and getting beneath the skin of innovative products and services.

Marcela Corro, a Bayes Executive MBA student, said the week had provided rich learning experiences, both culturally and professionally.

“The International Consultancy Week was an incredible experience that we will cherish forever,” she said.

“I had the opportunity to collaborate with an inspiring startup bringing solar-powered irrigation solutions to low-income, small-acreage farmers.

"Across the week, we immersed ourselves in learning about solar energy systems, farming techniques, and challenges of cultivating arid land in Kenya – alongside the privilege of taking in a vibrant new culture.

“One of my personal highlights was travelling to a demo farm in Gachuriri village, where we met farmers using our client’s services. Their enthusiasm was inspiring, and our conversations with them really reflected the purpose of the client’s mission. Our recommendations were deeply informed by what we learned, both through research and relationships.

Professor Alessandro Giudici, International Consultancy Week module leader for Kenya, highlighted the importance of real-life consulting projects in the curriculum.

“The International Consultancy Week is a real highlight of the MBA calendar, and places students in the heart of a fast-paced overseas market to influence real-life business strategies,” he said.

“Students develop business strategies and overcome operational obstacles for real clients. The module throws them into new local and regional contexts, where they are required to demonstrate their adaptability and strategic consultancy skills across different settings. They also have the opportunity to experience first-hand how African innovators deal with the complex interplay of technology and ESG challenges.”

The Bayes Full-time MBA cohort travelled to Istanbul to work with Turkish clients in a more corporate setting. The companies that the students worked with were from the automotive, technology, telecoms, food and energy sector.

Despite organisational differences between the two respective sets of clients, the consulting briefs were similar. Students worked with more established global clients to plan new product development and solve operational challenges.

Divyata Aggarwal, Bayes Full-time MBA student, reflected fondly on her consulting week.

“From dealing with a real-world business challenge to understanding the dynamics of a new cultural and business environment, the experience of the international consulting week was both eye-opening and enriching.

“My team worked with a global innovator in flexible composite materials, helping the company grow its market presence in the local markets.

“What made the week special for us was the warm welcome, the supportive team, a fascinating company tour, and the opportunity to taste some truly amazing local Turkish cuisine – a delightful experience for all the senses!”

Dr Dimitris Paraskevopoulos, Course Director of Bayes’ Full-time MBA, said the exercise was mutually beneficial for both the students and the clients.

“Feedback from this year’s clients has been highly positive about the impact students made,” he said.

“Students have once again excelled in adapting to different business settings and providing useful recommendations for the clients. I am really proud of their achievements in just a few days.

“The whole experience has allowed them to see how local market knowledge can determine business strategies and enabled them to enhance their own knowledge, skills and networks outside the classroom.”

Read more about the International Consulting Week at Bayes.

Find out more about the Full-time MBA at Bayes Business School.

Find out more about the Executive MBA at Bayes Business School.