Central College Spain Academic Program

Central College Abroad

Granada, Spain

Doing Business in Spain Summer Program at the Fundación Publica
Para Las Enseñanzas Universitarias, University of Málaga in Ronda, Spain

Through the Fundación Publica Para Las Enseñanzas Universitarias in Ronda, Central College is offering a four-week program in June of 2000 focusing on the theme, Doing Business in Spain, which is designed for international business and management and Spanish majors/minors to enroll in an intensive program with the following objectives:

to provide students with insight into the cultural dimensions of doing business in Spain in the areas of marketing, human resources, business ethics and norms, and current topical issues involving Spain and its role in the European Union.
to offer experiential learning opportunities for those students considering a career in international business and management.

Program Prerequisite: High-intermediate ACTFL Proficiency in Spanish

The program will award a total of seven semester hours of academic credit and is comprised of three components:

Language: Spanish for Business (2 SH). This part of the course will meet for two hours each day and is taught by native language teachers from Spain at the Escuela Para Extranjeros in Ronda;
Business course: Topics in Business in Spain and Europe (3 SH). Taught by a professor from the business school of the University of Málaga, as well as supplemented by guest lectures;
Practicum: Observation of Organizational Behavior (2 SH). Focuses on the cultural similarities and differences between conducting business and business negotiations in Spain and the U.S.

The Location

Ronda, a city of 37,000 is located in the north-western corner of the province of Málaga in southern Spain, midway between Seville and the Costa del Sol. Málaga, the capital of the province, can be reached easily via direct international flights from the U.S. or other European gateway cities, including Madrid.

The town of Ronda is one of Spain's most beautiful and is situated 700 meters above sea level overlooking a deep gorge, El Tajo. Ronda's narrow streets date back to the times of the Moors and even withstood Roman occupation. In 1484, Ronda was recaptured from the Moors by the army under the Spanish crown. Ronda continued to be a city of great prominence until the 18th century. In the 19th century, Ronda was known as a refuge for notorious bandoleros, or highway men, and later the birthplace of many of Spain's most famous bullfighters. Today, Ronda has been a major attraction for artists and writers as notable as Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles.

The Program and Courses

Doing Business in Spain is organized in cooperation with the Fundación Publica Para Las Enseñanzas Universitarias of the University of Málaga and the city of Ronda. Classes are held at the foundation's headquarters at the beautifully restored Palacio de Mondragón, formerly the residence of the medieval Arab sultan of Ronda.

Language: Spanish for Business will focus on the language, both oral and written, used in Spanish business, including vocabulary, resumé writing, business reports and negotiations. Daily morning classes (approximately 20 in-class hours).

Business/Management: Topics in Business in Spain and Europe will cover a range of timely topical issues such as characteristics of Spanish businesses; social, legal and economic background of Spain, pre- and post-Franco; Spain's membership in the European Union; doing business in the new European Union; the introduction of the "euro"; employment practices in Spain; and foreign direct investment in Spain/Europe. Topics of lecture and discussions will be led by a member of faculty from the University of Málaga and guest speakers from local experts and business people (approximately 45 in-class hours).

Practicum: Students will visit local businesses and be paired with on-site professionals for discussion. Students will be required to maintain a journal in which they will write their impressions/observations/experiences, as well as compare and contrast with U.S. business practices and cultures (approximately 20-25 hours).

Evaluation: Students will be evaluated on: class participation; attendance and assignments, in addition to the review of journals; weekly comprehension tests in the language component; and a final paper summarizing the practicum experience.

Housing, Meals, and Cultural Activities

Students will be housed with Ronda families who have been carefully selected for the program, and two meals per day are included. In addition, a number of local/regional excursions will be organized by the staff at the Palacio Mondragó. Optional personal travel to Malaga, Granada, Seville and other cities in Spain may be easily arranged by bus or train.

Orientation

A two-day orientation program upon arrival will be organized and provided by Central College Abroad's Granada interim program director, Verónica García Montero. During the four-week program, professional staff from the Palacio study center will provide on-site support and assistance for students on the program.

Eligibility

You must have completed your freshman year
You must be 18
You must have a 2.5 G.P.A.
High or intermediate level of Spanish

Application Deadline

March 15, 2000 and applications will be reviewed upon submission.

Program Calendar

Program dates are June 1-28 ; Arrival date May 31st and Departure date June 29th.

Please call to confirm dates

Cost

The program cost is $1,500. It includes tuition, housing, two meals per day, some cultural events and activities and ISIC card. Fees do not include round-trip air transportation and travel to Ronda and other personal items and travel expenses.

See Fall Semester Program in Granada

Divider