“From this experience, I have learned how much I value learning new things. I have enjoyed learning in the classroom about internationalization of business and learning outside the classroom about the day-to-day lives of those in Barcelona,” shared Abby Krupitzer, a finance major who is participating in the Fisher College of Business International Global Lab in Barcelona, Spain.
Students on the program gain experience with international business by attending several company visits while expanding their cultural knowledge through exploring the city with tours and interactive activities.
“It was important to me to study abroad because I had never been outside of North America, and I wanted to experience an entirely new culture while furthering my education. I have been able to do this through the International Business Global Lab because I can balance my schedule with class time, group lunches, leisure time, site visits and cultural workshops,” she said.
For business majors like Krupitzer, these programs expose students to a variety of opportunities that they may not have considered before traveling abroad, while learning from people in different industries about international business practices and how to live in new cities.
“This experience will help me move forward in my career because I have been able to see the innerworkings of a wide range of companies, from a technology company to a film company, and learn about different types of work environments that I may want for myself post-grad.”
Aside from the business aspects of the program, Krupitzer’s favorite moments so far have come from exploring the city of Barcelona and taking part in some activities that expose the group to Spanish culture.
“Some of my favorite moments so far have been the tapas workshop and the La Sagrada Familia visit. In the tapas workshop, we had the opportunity to split into groups, and each create a tapa from a provided recipe, and afterwards, the whole program got to share the tapas together and get to know each other better! La Sagrada Familia is the most well-known sight to see while in Barcelona, and I understand why! The architecture was unbelievable, and being able to go during sunset made the stained-glass windows glow, making the entire cathedral so colorful and beautiful.”