A One-Week Back-To-School Seminar Combining Culture, Projects, and Cohesion
Every year, ICD Business School organizes a one-week back-to-school seminar – the Kick-Off – to give its new students an experience that is at once academic, professional, and cultural before the official start of classes. This year, the chosen destination was Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, where our students spent a week filled with discoveries, encounters, and collective projects.
A Balance Between Professionalization and Discovery
The 2025 Kick-Off was designed as a complete experience, blending professional immersion, cultural discovery, and free time. Company visits and academic exchanges allowed students to gain concrete insight into the professional world while tackling real projects. At the same time, exploring Zagreb and Plitvice Lakes National Park offered a rewarding cultural perspective, while free afternoons fostered autonomy and personal exploration. This balance helped nurture students’ curiosity while strengthening their initiative and creativity.
An Essential Seminar for Cohesion and the DNA of ICD Business School
Beyond its academic and cultural content, the Kick-Off represents a defining moment in student life at ICD Business School. It encourages the creation of strong bonds between students and the teaching staff, while giving them an early opportunity to immerse themselves in the school’s DNA and values. This seminar therefore prepares participants to begin their academic year under the best conditions, with enhanced cohesion and a collective spirit already in place.
Discover the program : Day by Day
Monday, September 8 – Departure for Zagreb ✈️
Students from Paris and Toulouse arrived in Zagreb in the evening, welcomed by the teaching staff before settling into their hostel in the heart of the city.
Tuesday, September 9 – Cultural Discovery 🌆
The Kick-Off began with a guided tour of downtown and old Zagreb, offering students a first immersion into the city’s culture and history. The afternoon was free, allowing them to explore the capital at their own pace.
Wednesday, September 10 – Excursion to Plitvice Lakes National Park 🌿
A full day dedicated to nature, with a trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Turquoise lakes and waterfalls made this an unforgettable experience.
Thursday, September 11 – Academic Immersion 🎓
Our students were welcomed by our international partner, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where they discovered the campus, explored teaching methods, and exchanged with local staff.
In the afternoon, they worked in groups on a real-world case study provided by Njuskalo, Croatia’s leading classified ads platform.
Friday, September 12 – Business and Projects 💼
The morning was dedicated to a company visit at Njuskalo, where students presented the projects they had developed the previous day to the company’s teams. In the afternoon, they enjoyed some free time for a final opportunity to explore Zagreb.
Saturday, September 13 – Return to France 🇫🇷
The Kick-Off came to a close with the students’ return to Paris and Toulouse, enriched by a week of encounters and shared experiences.
Conclusion
The Kick-Off in Zagreb marked the start of a new year rich in learning opportunities and encounters for the students of ICD Business School. Blending professionalization, cultural discovery, and group cohesion, this back-to-school seminar stands out as a formative experience that will accompany each student throughout their journey. In Croatia, they discovered far more than just a trip: they experienced a true immersion into the values and spirit of their school.