5 benefits of field trips for business students

In today's fast-paced world, students need to be armed with both textbook knowledge and hands-on experiences to succeed, bridging the gap between theory and practice. That’s where business school trips come in!

More than just a fun day out; these field trips are essential for developing practical skills, gaining industry knowledge, building a network, and exploring career opportunities.

In this blog post, we’ll explore why studying business matters and dive into five key benefits of business field trips for high school students. Plus, we’ll share some practical tips for planning a successful trip for your class. Let’s get started!

Why study business?

When going into any job, it’s good to have a tangible understanding of the business landscape. Knowing how the industry operates on a day-to-day basis can give you a competitive edge, helping you make informed decisions and adapt to new challenges.

For example, if students are studying marketing theory, then understanding how to conduct market research, develop branding strategies, and respond to consumer trends can give them a broader perspective on how marketing drives business success.

Here are some other reasons why studying business is highly beneficial:

Develop management skills

Studying business empowers students with the skills to lead, mentor, and inspire people. They learn how to organise resources, allocate budgets and delegate tasks while navigating organisational challenges and team dynamics. As a result, students often develop strong leadership skills that are crucial in any professional environment.

Enhance communication skills

Articulating your ideas clearly, or even delivering a persuasive pitch requires effective communication. This is a key skill students develop over time during their business studies. It allows them to not only express their thoughts but also engage in meaningful discussions, actively listen, and adapt their messaging to different audiences, which in turn, builds strong relationships at school, work, and in everyday life.

Fosters decision-making

One of the biggest benefits of studying business and economics is honing critical thinking and analytical skills. When faced with a challenge or task, students learn to make informed decisions by evaluating options, assessing risks, and choosing the best course of action that will lead to successful outcomes.

Improves financial literacy

Financial acumen is invaluable, whether you're managing a company's finances, running your own business, or making personal investment choices. By studying business, students gain a solid foundation in financial literacy, learning how to interpret financial statements, manage budgets and analyse market trends.

Encourages an entrepreneurial mindset

For those who wish to launch their own venture in the future, studying business is the first step towards cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset. From identifying market opportunities and developing business plans to managing finances, students gain the essential knowledge and skills needed to turn their ideas into successful enterprises.

Five benefits of business field trips for high school students

As you can see, studying business provides students with valuable knowledge and skills for their future careers. But learning isn’t limited to the classroom! Business field trips play a vital role in reinforcing these lessons, allowing students to see real-world applications of business practices and interact with industry professionals. So, let’s take a look at five key benefits these trips provide.

1. Develop practical skills

Firstly, field trips for business students help them to develop life skills that are highly valued by employers. These skills go beyond theoretical knowledge and equip them with the tools they need to thrive in and out of education.

Observation & analysis: Business field trips offer opportunities to observe and analyse business operations and trade practices. For example, touring the JCB factory in Rochester, West Midlands, allows students to see advanced manufacturing processes in action, understand supply chain logistics, and gain insights into quality control and innovation.
Problem-solving: Students are often presented with real-time business issues during field trips, requiring them to think on their feet and brainstorm innovative solutions. The Museum of Brands in London (open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM) is a perfect example, where students are challenged to design their own sustainable products.
Communication & teamwork: Engaging with industry experts and participating in group workshops enhance students' communication and teamwork skills. For example, the Trading Game at the Wall Street Trader, located on 15 Broad St in New York, challenges teams to trade portfolios with others, promoting strategic thinking and negotiation.

2. Contextual learning

Rather than simply memorising information from a textbook, field trips for business students allow learners to fully immerse themselves in a variety of environments, bringing classroom teachings to life in a direct and engaging way.

Imagine an economics class discussing the importance of the stock exchange. Instead of just reading about it, students can explore the AEX Index and learn about IPOs on a visit to the Amsterdam Exchange Experience at Beursplein 5 (open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM).

This hands-on experience helps them see the inner workings of organisations, including industry trends, issues, and opportunities within sectors like retail, finance, marketing and hospitality. Moreover, business field trips abroad broaden students' perspectives by exposing them to diverse cultures and customs that are unique to each country.

3. Improves student retention and engagement

Naturally, when students realise the practical application of what they are learning, they become more invested in the subject matter. From management and human resources to monetary policies, these key business concepts can sometimes feel abstract or complex in a classroom setting.

However, experiencing them firsthand through business field trips helps students connect theory to practice, making learning more tangible and relevant. On a business school trip to Paris, visiting the UNESCO headquarters (located at 7 Place de Fontenoy) allows students to explore social and economic policies, international trade, and the role of diplomacy in business.

This exposure not only broadens their understanding of international business dynamics but also encourages cultural awareness and a more global perspective, enhancing their appreciation for business studies. Who knows? It might leave a lasting impression, inspiring them to pursue further education or even a career in the field.

4. Inspires future career paths

It’s never too early for students to discover hidden passions and business field trips for secondary school students help spark their curiosity and expose them to various career paths they might not have considered otherwise.

For instance, visiting Het Belang van Limburg, a regional Dutch-language newspaper based in Hasselt, Belgium, can ignite an interest in journalism by showcasing editorial processes and media operations. Meanwhile, a business field trip to Kurt Information Management in Budapest, Hungary (an IT firm specialising in data solutions since 1989) can inspire students to pursue a career in technology and data management.

Business field trips also offer students the chance to interact with experts in their chosen fields, providing them with valuable networking opportunities and mentorship potential. After all, hearing from experienced professionals about their career journeys, challenges, and rewards can be incredibly inspiring.

5. Builds connections

One of the most significant benefits of field trips for business students is the unparalleled networking opportunities they provide. Building professional relationships and expanding one’s network is crucial for career advancement.

Field trips provide an excellent platform for students to make a positive impression, ask insightful questions, and gain valuable knowledge from experienced industry professionals, potential mentors, and even future employers.

To make the most of these experiences, students should prepare thoughtful questions in advance, actively participate in discussions, and follow up after the visit. This not only deepens their understanding of business concepts but also strengthens key skills like negotiation and communication that will swerve them well in any career.

Bonus tips for planning a successful business field trip

Business field trips provide countless benefits and can be a truly transformative experience for students. If you're considering planning one for your class, here are a few key factors to keep in mind:

Define clear objectives: Establish specific learning outcomes tied to curriculum goals, with a focus on concepts like marketing mix or supply chain management. What do you want students to achieve?
Target the right companies/organisations: Next, select organisations that align with defined learning objectives and offer valuable insights. For example, a manufacturing plant can provide deeper insights into product processing.
Plan logistics: Arrange transportation and accommodation, schedule visits and activities, secure necessary permissions, and budget in advance.
Prepare students in advance: Share background information, pre-trip assignments, and educational resources, along with networking tips to help them make the most of the experience.
On-site activities: Plan structured activities, such as presentations, tours, and Q&A sessions, and encourage active student participation to enhance engagement.
Post-trip follow-up: Conduct a debriefing session to review key takeaways, discuss insights gained, and encourage students to reflect on their experiences, reinforcing their learning.
Evaluate and improve: Gather feedback from students, teachers and other participants to evaluate the trip’s effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

Book your next business field trip with European Study Tours!

Here at European Study Tours, we have a wealth of experience when it comes to planning and organising enriching educational trips, including business field trips for secondary school students.

We can help arrange travel and accommodation and formulate productivity-charged itineraries to ensure your students get the most out of each experience.