Understanding European Business, Politics and Culture
May - June, 2010

Earn 3, 6 or 9 credits in the summer while studying in 4 amazing cities: Barcelona, Paris, Milan and Frankfurt. 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 Italy in the dynamic city of 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, as well as optional weekend trips to Venice, Florence or Rome. Then the students travel with the professors to Frankfurt, the business and financial heart of Germany. Students will be able to visit the European Central Bank, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the headquarters of Mercedes Benz (Daimler) in Stuttgart.

From Germany it's on to beautiful 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. During the weekend there will be optional trips to London, Brussels or Amsterdam.

After France the group travels to Barcelona, the home base of the program! Barcelona is one of the most popular cities in Europe with its gorgeous mountains, beaches, 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 government agencies, and will take classes at the campus of the AACSB-accredited IQS Business School, part of the prestigious Ramon Llul University. During the weekends, there will be optional trips to Madrid, Ibiza or Seville. On the last day of the program, there will be a festive farewell dinner and diploma ceremony featuring traditional food and music.

Dates Forum-Nexus offers a variety of alternatives regarding the dates and duration of the program, so that students can customize their choice based on their specific constraints. Most students enroll in Session A1 and take two courses. Some students prefer the 5-week and 6-week options, which include more time in either Italy or Spain (Sessions B1, B2 or C1). Students with a tighter schedule opt for the 3-week sessions (D1 or D2) or the 2-week sessions (E1, E2 or E3).

Session A1

This is the traditional 4-week itinerary
Cities Milan, Frankfurt, Paris, Barcelona

Duration
Dates 4 weeks
May 27 - June 24, 2010

Course Credits Most students enroll in 2 courses (6 credits)

Session B1

This is the first 5-week extended itinerary, including an extra week in Milan
Cities Milan, Frankfurt, Paris, Barcelona

Duration
Dates 5 weeks
May 20 - June 24, 2010

Course Credits Most students enroll in 2 courses (6 credits)

Session B2

This is the second 5-week extended itinerary, including an extra week in Barcelona
Cities Milan, Frankfurt, Paris, Barcelona

Duration
Dates 5 weeks
May 27 - July 1, 2010

Course Credits Most students enroll in 2 courses (6 credits)

Session C1

This is the 6-week extended itinerary, including two extra weeks in Milan and Barcelona
Cities Milan, Frankfurt, Paris, Barcelona

Duration
Dates 6 weeks
May 20 - July 1, 2010

Course Credits Most students enroll in 2 courses (6 credits) but some choose 3 courses (9 credits)

Session D1

This is the first 3-week itinerary
Cities Milan, Frankfurt, Paris, Barcelona

Duration
Dates 3 weeks
May 27 - June 17, 2010

Course Credits Students may enroll in 2 courses (6 credits) or 1 course (3 credits)

Session D2

This is the second 3-week itinerary
Cities Paris, Barcelona

Duration
Dates 3 weeks
June 3 - June 24, 2010

Course Credits Students may enroll in 2 courses (6 credits) or 1 course (3 credits)

Session E1

This is the first 2-week itinerary
Cities Milan, Frankfurt, Paris, Barcelona

Duration
Dates 2 weeks
May 27 - June 10, 2010

Course Credits Students enroll in 1 course (3 credits)

Session E2

This is the second 2-week itinerary
Cities Paris, Barcelona

Duration
Dates 2 weeks
June 3 - June 10, 2010

Course Credits Students enroll in 1 course (3 credits)

Session E3

This is the third 2-week itinerary
Cities Barcelona

Duration
Dates 2 weeks
June 8 - June 24, 2010

Course Credits Students enroll in 1 course (3 credits)

Itinerary Language of Instruction All classes and activities 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)

Courses Offered

Courses Offered in Sessions A1, B1, B2, C1, D1 and D2

1. Undergraduate Level

(each course is worth 3 credits)

• 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
• FIN 388 International Financial Markets: Understanding the Global Financial Crisis
• MKT 354 International Marketing
• MGT 313 Cross-Cultural Management

The following courses combinations are allowed:

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

2. Graduate Level

(each course is worth 3 credits)

• 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
• FIN 688 International Financial Markets: Understanding the Global Financial Crisis
• MKT 654 International Marketing
• MGT 613 Cross-Cultural Management

The following courses combinations are allowed:

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 Offered in Sessions E1, E2 and E3

The following courses are offered for students in Sessions E1, E2 and E3 but are open to other students with special permission

• EUR 324/624 Understanding the European Union and its Multicultural Environment
• BUS 320/620 Strategies for International Business and Cross-Cultural Negotiations in the European Union
• BUS 371/671 International Marketing Strategies in the Context of the Global Financial Crisis
• EUR 332/632 Understanding the European Union and its International Business Environment
• MKT 334/634 International Marketing and Cross Cultural Management in Europe
• BUS 357/657 International Business Strategies in the Context of the Global Financial Crisis
• FIN 363/663 International Financial Markets and the European Union
• MGT 325/625 Cross Cultural Management in the European Union
• BUS 340/640 International Business and Marketing Strategies in Europe

Majors The program is suitable for business and non-business students in all majors.
Students may enroll at the undergraduate or graduate level, based on their qualifications. Accommodations Students will stay in comfortable 3 and 4-star hotels in central locations. Activities In each city, students participate in two types of activities: classes and professional visits Classes 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.

The schedule of visits has not yet been finalized. The following is a list of companies and organizations visited in previous years: Optional Weekend Trips

• Florence, Venice or Rome (May 22-23 or May 29-30)
• London, Brussels or Amsterdam (June 5-6)
• Ibiza, Madrid or Seville (June 12-13 or June 19-20)

Application Process Fill out an online application here. Admission is on a rolling basis, however you are encouraged to apply as early as possible since the program will accept a cohort of 40 students. The last day to apply is March 15, 2010. Fees All fees are quoted in US dollars and are subject to change.

Overall program fees including tuition: Fees include

• Tuition for either one, two or three courses (3, 6 or 9 credits); transcripts issued by the European university
• Accommodations in comfortable 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
• Two boat trips from Italy to Greece and from Athens to Rhodes with accommodation in sleeping compartments with bathroom
• Health insurance
• Welcome reception
• Farewell dinner