By: Shreyas Kuradagi (GMBA '26)
My CAP Sweden experience was both eye-opening and enriching professionally, personally, and culturally. Collaborating with AstraZeneca to explore pharmacovigilance AI implementation offered a unique opportunity to witness how a global pharmaceutical giant balances innovation with regulation and how culture and organizational structure influence strategic decisions.
One of the most striking aspects of AstraZeneca’s organizational structure was its flat hierarchy and emphasis on collaboration. Unlike more rigid corporate environments, decision-making here seemed decentralized, empowering individuals across levels to contribute meaningfully. At the Gothenburg Research & Development site, I observed cross-functional teams of data scientists, clinicians, regulatory experts, and IT staff fostering agility and innovation in problem-solving. To some extent, the business practices we observed matched my expectations particularly the focus on innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. However, I was surprised by how egalitarian and relaxed the workplace culture felt. I expected a more formal, traditional corporate setting, especially within a major pharmaceutical company. Instead, the balance of professionalism with a deeply human approach to work was refreshing. It challenged some of my assumptions about productivity and taught me that high performance doesn’t have to come at the expense of well-being.
Swedish work culture played a significant role in shaping our interactions. The emphasis on consensus-building, open communication, and work-life balance created a welcoming environment where our ideas, even as students, were taken seriously. The fika tradition of short breaks for coffee and conversation seemed symbolic of a deeper cultural value: that productivity thrives in spaces where people feel seen, heard, connected and rested. This was a stark but welcome contrast to the often high-pressure, fast-paced corporate cultures elsewhere. The experience underscored how organizational culture is not just an internal dynamic- it directly impacts external partnerships and the ability to collaborate across borders. Understanding and respecting Swedish cultural norms allowed us to engage more effectively and build trust with our counterparts.
Within my team, I felt a strong sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. We all came from different academic backgrounds, which initially seemed like a challenge but turned into our greatest strength. We were able to divide tasks based on individual skill sets such as technical research, presentation design, and client communications, and the results were both efficient and high-quality. What went particularly well was our collective ability to adapt. Whether adjusting timelines due to shifting expectations or integrating feedback last minute, our communication stayed transparent and constructive.
Participating in CAP has helped me grow in profound ways. Navigating a different country, understanding its customs, and building professional rapport in a cross-cultural setting taught me humility and adaptability. Understanding the nuances of using AI in sensitive domains like pharmacovigilance where ethical concerns, patient safety, and regulatory compliance intersect was extremely invaluable. These insights into the intersection of AI and healthcare will serve me well in my future career. CAP was a transformative journey that broadened my worldview, sharpened my professional toolkit, and left me deeply inspired by Sweden’s innovative yet human-centric approach to work and life. I return home not just with deliverables and project takeaways, but with a renewed perspective on how we can build better, more inclusive, and forward-thinking workplaces.
