April 3, 2018
Study abroad tour to Europe gives students in the College of Business Administration a global outlook on business
Submitted by Brent Fritzemeier
A faculty-led study abroad program over spring break saw 23 students in the Kansas State University College of Business Administration travel to Europe to gain a better understanding of the global marketplace.
The group, which was led by professor of marketing Swinder Janda, spent 10 days visiting the sites and touring international businesses in Munich and Rome. The trip was part of Janda's international business course, which included pre-trip classroom sessions and a post-trip paper related to the students' experiences and how they relate to international business topics and cross-cultural perspectives.
"I think a short term study abroad program such as this one is a great way for a student to obtain an affordable international experience focused on their area of studies, in this case business or marketing," Janda said. "The experience also helps them appreciate cultural differences and gives them the opportunity to navigate two foreign environments."
During its time in Munich, the group took a business tour of a BMW manufacturing plant, where members were guided through all of the major steps in the manufacturing process and given an overview of the BMW brand. The group also visited BMW Welt, a state-of-the art facility that displays BMW technology with interactive exhibits.
In Rome, the group visited a local Agriturismo and farm outside Rome that produces olive oil and wine, where the students learned about how different types of wine are made. The students also participated in a guided tour of the food markets of Rome, where they learned about how foods are displayed and merchandized and got the opportunity to sample local foods.
The group also participated in a guided bike tour of Munich and a guided walking tour of Rome, in addition to cultural dinners in both cities.
The College of Business Administration offers several study abroad experiences throughout the year. To sign up for next year’s spring break experience, email Janda at swinder@k-state.edu or visit the program's website.