Study Abroad Program - Forum Europe Winter Intersession: Understanding European Business, Politics and Culture

- Multi-Country

Other Cities in - Multi-Country:

France

Paris:

Greece

Athens:

Italy

Venice:
Milan:

Spain

Barcelona:

Switzerland

Other Cities in Switzerland:

Turkey

Other Cities in Turkey:

Term: Winter

Description: Earn up to 6 credits during the Winter Break while studying in some of the most amazing cities in Europe: Barcelona, Paris, Geneva, Interlaken, Milan, Venice, Athens and Istanbul. Acquire a solid understanding of the culture and politics of the European Union and learn about business and marketing strategies to succeed in European markets. Forum-Nexus Study Abroad has a track record of 19 years of successful multi-country summer and winter programs in Europe. The program starts in the beautiful city of Barcelona, with its gorgeous coastline, mountains, museums, and restaurants. In addition to its architectural and natural beauty Barcelona is a powerful center of industry and commerce with the largest port on the Mediterranean. Students will visit several leading Spanish and multinational companies and will take classes at the campus of the prestigious Ramon Llul University.

Then the students travel with the professors to Paris, the most visited city in the world and the heart of French culture, politics and business. In Paris there will be challenging classes and interesting visits to multinational companies and international organizations. Students will be able to visit the Louvre Museum, the Notre Dame cathedral and the Arc de Triomphe, as well as stroll along the banks of the Seine River and the Champs-Elysées. And, as an added attraction... the group will celebrate New Year's Eve in beautiful Paris?!

From Paris the program continues on to Switzerland. The first stop will be the very international city of Geneva, home of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization (which we will visit). Then, we continue to the heart of the Swiss Alps: the world famous resort of Interlaken! You will learn about the prosperous and proudly independent Swiss people while enjoying the majestic mountains. If you are so inclined, you will have opportunities for some skiing and other winter sports!

Week 3 is in Italy!! The first stop will be Milan, the economic and financial center of Italy and world capital of fashion. Classes are held in the beautiful historic campus of the Catholic University of Milan, housed in the buildings of a 14th century monastery. There will be great professional visits to leading companies in fashion, advertising and electronics. From Milan we will travel to the unforgettable city of Venice with its gondolas, canals, piazzas and majestic buildings. Venice has been described as "undoubtedly the most beautiful city built by man".

Week 4 starts with a cruise-style boat journey on the Mediterranean Sea from Venice to Greece, the birthplace of democracy and home of the great classical philosophers. Athens, a bustling metropolis crowned by the famous Acropolis, offers an exceptional insight into Mediterranean culture and business. After an intensive program of classes, professional visits and a cultural tour of the Acropolis, we travel to Turkey, to the vibrant and exotic city of Istanbul, former capital of the Ottoman Empire! Istanbul has been designated by the European Union as the European Capital of Culture for 2010. Students will be available to visit leading Turkish and multinational companies as well as many incredible cultural sites such as the Topkapi Royal Palace, the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia museum (former mosque and basilica). On the last day of the program, there will be a festive farewell dinner and diploma ceremony featuring traditional food and music.

The winter break is a tricky period since different universities resume their academic activities on different days in January. For that reason, Forum-Nexus offers a variety of alternatives regarding the duration of the program, so that students can customize their choice based on their specific constraints.

Session A This is the complete 4-week itinerary
Cities Barcelona, Paris, Geneva, Interlaken, Milan, Venice, Athens, Istanbul
Duration
Dates 4 weeks
December 27, 2009 - January 23, 2010
Course Credits 3 or 6 credits (1 or 2 courses)
Session B Cities Barcelona, Paris, Geneva, Interlaken, Milan, Venice
Duration
Dates 3 weeks
December 27, 2009 - January 16, 2010
Course Credits 3 or 6 credits (1 or 2 courses)
Session C Cities Paris, Geneva, Interlaken, Milan, Venice, Athens, Istanbul
Duration
Dates 3 weeks
January 3 - January 23, 2010
Course Credits 3 or 6 credits (1 or 2 courses)
Session D Cities Barcelona, Paris, Geneva, Interlaken
Duration
Dates 2 weeks
December 27, 2009 - January 9, 2010
Course Credits 3 credits (1 course)
Session E Cities Paris, Geneva, Interlaken, Milan, Venice
Duration
Dates 2 weeks
January 3 - January 16, 2010
Course Credits 3 credits (1 course)
Session F Cities Milan, Venice, Athens, Istanbul
Duration
Dates 2 weeks
January 11 - January 24, 2010
Course Credits 3 credits (1 course)
Itinerary
        Barcelona         Dec 27 - 30
Barcelona - Paris         Dec 30 - 31
Paris         Dec 31 - Jan 6
Geneva         Jan 6
Interlaken (Swiss Alps)         Jan 6 - 11
Milan         Jan 11-14
Venice         Jan 14-16
Boat to Greece         Jan 16 - 18
Athens         Jan 18 - 20
Athens - Istanbul         Jan 20 - 21
Istanbul         Jan 21 - 24
Language of Instruction All classes and professional visits are conducted in English
Sponsoring UniversitiesIQS Business School (AACSB accredited business school, part of the prestigious Universidad Ramon Llull in Barcelona)

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (The Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan, a leading private university and a member of the ISEP network)

Course transcripts will be issued by either IQS or UCSC. Students who have a specific preference may elect for the transcript to be issued by the school of their choice.
Courses Offered
Courses for Sessions A, B and C Students enrolled in the 4-week session (A) or in one the 3-week sessions (B and C), will select either one or two of the following 3-credit courses:
Undergraduate Level
Interdisciplinary Courses (open to all majors):

* EUR 337 Introduction to the European Union: Economics, Politics, Culture and Society
* COM 312 Cross-Cultural Communication: Understanding Cultural Differences in Europe

    * BUS 326 International Business
    * MKT 354 International Marketing
    * FIN 388 International Financial Markets: Understanding the Global Financial Crisis
    * MGT 313 Cross-Cultural Management

* EUR 637 Introduction to the European Union: Economics, Politics, Culture and Society
* COM 612 Cross-Cultural Communication: Understanding Cultural Differences in Europe

    * BUS 626 International Business
    * MKT 654 International Marketing
    * FIN 688 International Financial Markets: Understanding the Global Financial Crisis
    * MGT 613 Cross-Cultural Management

Undergraduate Level:
EUR 337 + COM 312; EUR 337 + MGT 313; EUR 337 + BUS 326; EUR 337 + FIN 388; BUS 326 + FIN 388; BUS 326 + MGT 313; BUS 326 + COM 312; MGT 354 + FIN 388; MGT 354 + BUS 326; MKT 354 + MGT 313; MKT 354 + COM 312

Graduate Level:
EUR 637 + COM 612; EUR 637 + MGT 613; EUR 637 + BUS 626; EUR 637 + FIN 688; BUS 626 + FIN 688; BUS 626 + MGT 613; BUS 626 + COM 612; MGT 654 + FIN 688; MGT 654 + BUS 626; MKT 654 + MGT 613; MKT 654 + COM 612
Courses for Sessions D, E and F Students enrolled in one of the 2-week sessions (D, E and F) will select one of the following 3-credit courses:
Undergraduate Level (open to all majors)

    * EUR 324 Understanding the European Union and its Multicultural Environment
    * BUS 320 Strategies for International Business and Cross-Cultural Negotiations in the European Union
    * BUS 371 International Marketing Strategies in the Context of the Global Financial Crisis
    * EUR 332 Understanding the European Union and its International Business Environment
    * MKT 334 International Marketing and Cross Cultural Management in Europe
    * BUS 357 International Business Strategies in the Context of the Global Financial Crisis
    * FIN 363 International Financial Markets and the European Union
    * MGT 325 Cross Cultural Management in the European Union
    * BUS 340 International Business and Marketing Strategies in Europe

    * EUR 624 Understanding the European Union and its Multicultural Environment
    * BUS 620 Strategies for International Business and Cross-Cultural Negotiations in the European Union
    * BUS 671 International Marketing Strategies in the Context of the Global Financial Crisis
    * EUR 632 Understanding the European Union and its International Business Environment
    * MKT 634 International Marketing and Cross Cultural Management in Europe
    * BUS 657 International Business Strategies in the Context of the Global Financial Crisis
    * FIN 663 International Financial Markets and the European Union
    * MGT 625 Cross Cultural Management in the European Union
    * BUS 640 International Business and Marketing Strategies in Europe

Highlights: Depending on the city, classes are held either on campus or in conference rooms at the hotels.
The main professor for each course travels with the group from city to city. The professors are highly experienced, multilingual, and cosmopolitan. Classes are usually held Monday through Friday in the morning. There are usually no classes on Saturday or Sunday.

Professional Visits In addition to insightful classes, students learn a great deal from a number of valuable professional visits. Based on the courses they are taking, students will be able to visit leading European companies, international organizations, financial institutions, government agencies, multinational corporations and non-governmental organizations. Most visits include detailed discussions with officials of the companies and organizations. Each student will visit at least four companies or organizations per class. The professional visits are usually held in the afternoon.

    * Tuition for either one or two courses (3 or 6 credits); transcripts issued by the European university
    * Accommodations in quality hotels (3 and 4 stars, double or triple occupancy, centrally located)
    * Buffet breakfasts in the hotels
    * Professional visits
    * All transportation within Europe, either by train or private coach, from the first city to the last city in the program
    * Boat trip from Italy to Greece with accommodations in sleeping compartments with bathroom
    * Health insurance
    * Welcome reception
    * Farewell dinner

Forum-Nexus Study Abroad's Mission Statement: The programs aims to develop the student's international outlook, i.e. a greater appreciation of other cultures and of different economic and political environments

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Forum Europe Winter Intersession: Understanding European Business, Politics and Culture