Study Abroad Information

The study abroad program that I'm participating in is at the University of Bilbao in Bilbao, Spain. I will be leaving June 24th and arriving on July 28th. Bilbao, Spain is located in Northern Spain, 8 miles from the coast and 77 miles from France. Bilbao has around 350,000 inhabitants and a climate of 75 degrees in the summer. The currency in Bilbao is the Euro. Right now the exchange rate is around 1 Euro to 1.2673 US dollars.

Here is a little information about the university taken from the CIDE website. The University of Deusto has been a pioneer in the academic scenario in Spain, always trying to give an answer to the professional and human demands of its students. A good example of that is the fact that it was the first Spanish university to offer business studies. The Business School, founded in 1916 , is still one of the most prestigious business centers in Spain. Together with Business and Economics, the University of Deusto offers degrees in Law, Engineering, Psychology, Education, and Social Sciences. With over 10.000 students, the university also offers numerous specialized Diplomas, Masters, and Ph.D. programs. Ever since its modest beginnings, the University of Deusto has valued quality over quantity. It has also aimed at the integration and full development of individuals, as well as their professional and research training.

I will be taking two courses while studying abroad. The first course I'm taking is International Business. This comprehensive course offers an engaging look into new and traditional strategic management topics. Its thorough coverage helps students develop an understanding of the wide range of theories and research available in this field—from competitive strategy and industry analysis to environmental trends and ethics. Integration of international issues throughout provides an essential understanding of global economics and its impact on business activities in any location. Special attention is centered on the analysis of US and European firms through the discussion of case studies. The course also includes some visits to companies in order to offer students the chance to get to know different business models of financial development in the areas of production, services, and public instituitions. (Taught in English)

The second course I'm hoping to take is Culture and Politics in Contemporary Spain. I'm running into a few issues with signing up for this course. The course offers an introduction to contemporary Spanish culture which will help students become familiar with the social, economic and political structures of Spain today. It will be focused on some specific aspects which make Spain both appealing and richly varied: its ancestral monarchy recently restored, its organization in autonomous areas which may be a solution to historical conflicts, the fact that it is one of the main tourist destinations in the world and, at the same time, the country of Don Quijote, Lorca, bullfighting and soccer. The course will also offer an introduction to Basque culture: geography, history and culture. All these features of life, history and politics will be analyzed all through the course, both in the classes and the tours.

Here is a link to my program's website where you can find more information and my schedule of tours/excursions! CIDE