MBA Study Tour 2025: Exploring Sustainability in Scandinavia

Apr 18, 2025

This spring, I had the chance to join 20 MBA students on a sustainability-themed Study Tour to Scandinavia during Sloan Intensive Period (SIP) and spring break. Over two weeks, our group explored how businesses across the region are turning sustainability commitments into action—while also immersing ourselves in the cultural and urban design elements that make Scandinavia a global leader in quality of life and environmental responsibility.

MIT Nordics Study Tour 2025

From private equity firms investing in climate tech solutions to waste management companies generating clean energy for their communities, our journey took us across a diverse landscape of industries—all working toward ambitious climate and sustainability goals. We met with sustainability-focused design and architecture firms and large corporations that are embedding environmental responsibility into their core strategies. It was inspiring to see how each organization played a role in shaping a more sustainable future.

Beyond the business lens, we also experienced firsthand how sustainability is woven into daily life. Cities were designed around people, not cars—prioritizing bikes and public transport over congested streets. Locals embraced their natural surroundings, whether through hikes in breathtaking mountains or the Nordic tradition of sauna and cold plunges in the harbor. The trip left us reflecting on both the large-scale systems driving change and the small, everyday practices that make a difference. Whether professionally or personally, we all left Scandinavia inspired to play our part in building a more sustainable world.

This trip wouldn't have been possible without the dedication of the student organizing team. Continue reading to hear directly from several of these students as they reflect on their experiences:

Kat Chang

Degree Program

HKS-MBA '26
At a glance

With Kat's background in transportation-related policy research, she was naturally drawn to the Nordics for their commitment to sustainable infrastructure.

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