Posted on September 28, 2009 by Wendy Frost
spain
Seven business students at The University of Texas at San Antonio College of Business participated in the college’s inaugural international immersion program to Spain this summer. Students studied in Madrid and Barcelona. The trip was led by Dr. Victoria Jones, associate dean for international relations and Dr. Jan Clark, professor of information systems.
The course, Business Success in Spain, introduced students to the challenges of doing business internationally by comparing U.S. business practices to those in Spain. The highly-condensed immersion program consisted of lectures, readings, case discussions, site visits, executive meetings and an applied final project. Prior to the immersion program students studied the history, culture and socio-economic conditions of Spain. Following the immersion, students reflected on their experiences and applied what they learned abroad as part of their final project.
“The pedagogy of the course provides students with a complex multifaceted experience centered around coursework, company site visits and cultural experiences,” said Jones. “Students learned the issues and complexities that affect international markets, became responsive to cultural differences among international consumers and developed the skills to adapt management activities in a new environment.”
UTSA students received instruction from faculty members at Escuela de Administracion de Empresas (EAE) Business School, a UTSA academic partner. Students studied coursework on Spain and the European Union, Spain and Latin American Trade, Politics and Trade Regulation, Spain ‘s Service Industry, European Union Marketing and Family Businesses.
In addition to the classroom experience, the students visited SEAT, a Spanish automobile manufacturer, and Telefonica, the leading telecommunications operator in Spain.
Student participants were seniors Kristi Herrera , Omar Lacayo , Jhonny Merino , Phillip Montalvo and Kelly Navarro ; junior Kanae Jitozono ; and sophomore Natsuko Danjo .
This is the second immersion program developed by the college’s International Relations Office. The first was conducted in Brazil, and future plans include offering programming in Chile and India.
Please send your comments to: wendy.frost@utsa.edu
— Wendy Frost
