summer business + culture

Quick Info

By Term

• Summer 2014 Session I
• Summer 2014 Session II
• Summer 2014 Session I, II

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Program Overview

International experience. An understanding of foreign markets and practices. What will you need to succeed in an increasingly globalized economy? This summer, discover a new culture and gain critical global perspective while pursuing your degree in Business in Barcelona.

Through a partnership with ESCI school of business, you’ll explore business related issued within the context of Spain and the European Union. This short-term program offers you challenging coursework, homestays, company visits, internship opportunities, and a variety of cultural excursions and activities that give you insight into international business and a unique intercultural experience.

Study business abroad in Spain and you will:

• Take classes at a reputable business school
• Explore the region of Catalonia through day trips, and enjoy a weekend trip to another major Spanish city such as Madrid and Seville
• Explore the city and immerse yourself in local culture with CIEE-organized activities
• Get credit and real work experience through an internship

The CIEE Difference

Coursework

Chose from a variety of business-specific programming, all taught in English including: International Management, International Marketing, Spanish Economy in the European Union, International Economics, the Capitalist System, a Critical Review, Sustainability and CSR: From Theory to Practice.

Internship

CIEE study abroad in Barcelona pairs qualified students with local and international businesses and corporations, giving you the opportunity to learn from, and contribute to, some of Spain’s most successful organizations.

Excursions

Enjoy a variety of excursions throughout Barcelona, including company site visits, field trips to art and history museums, monuments, and guided tours of the city. You’ll also take part in three one-day trips through Catalonia, and one extended weekend excursion to another Spanish city such as Madrid and Seville with business and cultural-based guided tours and activities.

Dates, Deadlines & Fees

We want to make sure you get the most out of your experience when you study abroad with CIEE, which is why we offer the most inclusions in our fees.

• Tuition and housing
• Pre-departure advising and optional on-site airport meet and greet
• Full-time program leadership and support
• Field trips and cultural activities
• CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits

Please note, program dates are subject to change. Please contact your CIEE Study Abroad Advisor before purchasing airfare. Click the button to view more detailed information about dates and fees as well as estimated additional costs. Please talk with your University Study Abroad Advisor about additional fees that may be charged by your home institution when participating in a program abroad.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Costs

Summer 2014 Session I

04/01/2014

TBA

TBA

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

Estimated Additional Costs

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

Summer 2014 Session II

04/01/2014

TBA

TBA

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

Estimated Additional Costs

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

Summer 2014 Session I, II

04/01/2014

TBA

TBA

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

Estimated Additional Costs

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

Eligibility

• Overall GPA 2.75
• 2 semesters of college-level micro- or macroeconomics, accounting, finance, management, marketing, or statistics

Recommended Credit

Total recommended credit is 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours for each 3.5 week session (i.e. 6 semester/9 quarter hours for the full 7 weeks).

About The City

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain with its own distinctive history, culture, and language. Set between mountains and the Mediterranean sea, the city's population is 1.6 million, with a total of 4.5 million in the greater metropolitan area. Walking though the city, one can observe 2,000 years of architectural history—Roman remains, the network of narrow streets in the Old Town, the 19th Century Eixample district with its original examples of Modernista architecture—contrasting with the ultramodern showpieces that continue to redesign its skyline.

Meet The Staff

Marilena De Chiara

The CIEE Resident Director, Marilena De Chiara, supervises and administers the Language and Culture Program. The Resident Director also assists students with academic, administrative and day-to-day matters. Marilena, a native of Naples (Italy), holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Universidad Pompeu Fabra and a M.A. in Literary Criticism. As part of her doctoral studies, she spent a year and a half at Yale University. Her research interests are focused on Performance Studies and the role of Cultural Icons in the representation of creative cities like Barcelona. She is also trained in Translation Studies in Spanish Language.

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You are about to depart for one of Europe’s most beautiful, dynamic, and cosmopolitan cities. Barcelona is not only a seaside city near spectacular mountains, but it is also a city of artists, architects, and designers. From the audacious heights of Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família church to Salvador Dalí’s surrealist fancies, the city has played host to many artistic movements.

No matter what side of the Catalan character fits your personality best, be prepared for a challenging academic program that will bring many rewards in the future., Barcelona will be the highlight of your undergraduate career.

— Marilena De Chiara, Resident Director

“”

Clara Rodes

Center Director Clara Rodes holds an MBA from DePaul University and has extensive management and academic experience. She has worked in the financial, consulting, and education sectors in Argentina, Spain, and the U.S. Prior to joining CIEE, Clara worked for over eight years at the European campus of The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, where she held the positions of Academic Advisor and Director of Administration. In addition, Clara has been a faculty member at Universitat Pompeu Fabra for the last 15 years.

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Where You'll Study

The Escola Superior de Comerç Internacional (ESCI) was created in 1993 by the Catalan government and the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), and offers a four-year B.A. in International Business and Marketing. Its modern facilities and central location provide an optimal learning environment. ESCI is home to 500 Spanish students and prides itself on individualized learning through the case method and other group-oriented activities. ESCI courses are taught by ESCI and UPF faculty and business practitioners.

The Universitat Pompeu Fabra was created in 1990. It offers degrees in law, economics, business, social sciences, communications, humanities, and technology. Features include its highly dedicated teaching staff, small class size, focus on technology, and international outlook. The University has buildings located throughout Barcelona, including near the Ramblas, Olympic Village, and port.

The CIEE Study Center in Barcelona, Spain, is located in two adjoining historic buildings on Passatge Permanyer, near Passeig de Gràcia and Plaza Catalunya, Barcelona’s main square. This historic passatgeway provides a quiet haven in the city center and houses CIEE classrooms, a computer lab, and student lounges.

Housing & Meals

Study abroad students can choose to live in either Spanish homestays (there is an option to live in a homestay along with another CIEE student) or in a student residencia(residence hall) with other Spanish and international students. These are located in urban settings throughout the city. Students living in a homestay will have breakfast and dinner provided at home, while lunch is at the students’ expense. Kitchen space is allotted to students should they wish to make lunch to bring to campus. Many students choose to eat at one of the university-run cafeterias. Students in homestays will have their laundry done for them once a week. Meals and laundry are not included in the student residencia option, but students share fully equipped kitchens where they can prepare their own meals, and laundry facilities are available. All homestays and residencias are located in the city of Barcelona and within 30 minutes, by public transportation, of the CIEE Study Center and host institutions.

As space in the residencias is limited, students who request to live there but cannot be assigned a place are accommodated through a homestay. In the event that there are more requests to live in a residencia than the total available spaces, study abroad students with more advanced Spanish take priority over those with less Spanish. Proficiency level is based on students' CIEE Spanish course pre-registration and academic background in Spanish, as reflected on the transcript. Students who are not assigned the housing option of their choice are notified by the resident staff prior to arriving in Barcelona.

Orientations

You'll begin your study abroad experience in Barcelona even before leaving home by participating in a CIEE online pre-departure orientation. Meeting with students online, the resident director shares information about the program and site, highlighting issues that alumni have said are important, and giving you time to ask questions. The online orientation allows you to connect with others in the group, reflect on what you want to get out of the program, and learn what others in the group would like to accomplish. CIEE’s aim for the pre-departure orientation is simple—to help you understand more about the program, and to identify your objectives so that you arrive well-informed and return home having made significant progress towards your goals.

A two-day orientation session conducted at the beginning of the study abroad program introduces you to the country, culture, and the academic program, as well as provides practical information on living in Spain and Barcelona in particular. Themes such as the Spanish university system, an introduction to Catalonia, health and safety, banking, and cultural adaptation are covered. Orientation also includes structured cultural activities, guided tours and time with your Guardian Angel, a local student guide. A language placement exam is conducted during orientation, and you are placed in the appropriate language courses based on the results. Ongoing support is provided by center staff on an individual and group basis throughout the program.

Internet

You are encouraged to bring a wireless-enables laptop. You'll have wireless Internet access in your homestay or student residencias, as well as at both CIEE and ESCI. In addition, you will be able to use the computer room at the CIEE Study Center.

ESCI will give you an email and Intranet account. You'll also receive a UPF student card and email account, and have access to all University computer rooms and library facilities for class related activities. You'll receive a code and password for Campus Global (the UPF Intranet), which will give you access to class notes, slides, and your professors’ contact information.

Culture

The academic program is supplemented with required field trips and excursions, which include visits in Barcelona to business sites, art and history museums, monuments, guided tours of the historical district, and more. You'll also have access to the cultural program offered to all CIEE study abroad students in Barcelona. This program includes gastronomy-based activities such as a tapas night with your Guardian Angels, a cooking class, or a hike in the mountains followed by a local meal. Three one-day trips, including guided visits to places and monuments of cultural or historical significance in Catalonia such as the Dalí Museum in Figueres or Roman ruins in the city of Tarragona, are also included. You can also participate in a weekend trip to another Spanish city (Madrid, Seville or other) with business-based guided tours and activities. Although there are no formal community service activities on this program, volunteer opportunities can be arranged by CIEE staff.

Academics

The Business and Culture study abroad program is unique because both the theories of modern management and economics and the cultural context in which business is conducted are studied.

Academic Culture

The CIEE Study Center is located in a historic building located in Passatge Permanyer, a historic passageway near Plaza Catalunya, Barcelona’s main square. It is a 20 minute walk from ESCI to the CIEE Study Center. Study abroad students can commute from ESCI to the CIEE Study Center by bus or metro in 15 minutes. CIEE also maintains a satellite office at ESCI.

ESCI professors follow a mix of Spanish and U.S. teaching styles. In the Spanish university system, students are responsible for their work and must take an active role in selecting outside readings to complement lectures. Traditional Spanish professors use the lecture method, and students take careful notes, often studying together to fill in any gaps. ESCI professors also emphasize the use of the case method and group-learning activities. Attendance is mandatory and tardiness and absences result in a lowering of the final grade. Students should not enroll in courses for subjects they have not previously studied at the college level.

UPF classes take place at the UPF campus, a 10 minute walk from ESCI business school. Emphasis is on attendance at daily lectures and careful note taking. The syllabus is not as detailed as an American syllabus, and students are expected to decide for themselves which readings from the syllabus they need to study in order to fill in gaps missed during the lectures. Relatively less emphasis is placed on participation, with much greater emphasis on the final exam. UPF classrooms are modern, comfortable, and equipped with the most up-to-date technology used for instruction.

Although extracurricular activities and personal travel contribute to the student’s overall study abroad experience, early departure for, or late return from, vacation is not allowed. Any extended travel should take place prior to the start of the program, during vacation periods, or upon completion of the program. There is also a Spanish language class focused specifically on Business and Economic related topics available for advanced students.

Nature of Classes

ESCI and UPF courses are with Spanish and other international students. CIEE courses are with other CIEE students only.

Grading System

In CIEE and ESCI courses, students are graded on the basis of class participation, in-class activities, homework assignments, exams, papers, and oral presentations. In some courses, assessment is based on a theoretical exam and a practical aspect of the class, specifically a group or individual project.

Internship

An internship allows students the opportunity to have practical work experience in a company within a variety of industry sectors. In addition to the on-site business experience, students participating in an internship program have a weekly classroom component which provides academic support to their practical experience. (Prerequisite: five or more semesters of college-level Spanish)

Language of Instruction

English

Faculty

Courses are taught by local university faculty and business professionals.

Course Description

Program Blog

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