Europe Term-Business (Fall 2009)

Europe Term-Business (offered in the fall of odd years)

Courses | Location | Accommodations | Program Dates | Cost| Next Steps/Contact |

Highlights

International Business focus
Interaction with Christians from various backgrounds and nationalities
Extensive travel throughout Central and Western Europe

Program Description
International Business in Europe is an academic program of residential study and travel in Austria, Czech Republic, Italy, Hungary, Germany, and France. The program emphasizes an integration of serious academic study and interaction with business students and business and political organizations throughout the European Union. Students spend significant periods of time at several study bases: Goethe Institute (sites in Germany), Schloss Mittersill Christian Study Center (Mittersill, Austria), Lycee Notre Dame de la Paix (Lorient, France) and the Jacques Lefevre Institute (Francevill-Merville, Normandy). There will be one week of free travel in mid-October. The program is sponsored by the Department of Business and Economics and is open to students of any major.

Courses (15 credits total)

BUS324   Consumer Behavior (3 credits)
BUS371G International Business (4 credits)
BUS208   Writing for Business and Industry (4 credits)
GERXXX   German (4 credits)

In addition, students will receive the Z-Tag general education requirement. One Business Course, preferably Principles of Marketing, is a prerequisite for acceptance.

Locations

Goethe Institute (Bonn, Berlin, Bremen, Munich, Freiburg): Subgroups move to one of five locations in Germany for four weeks of classic intensive German and culture studies. Tom Johnson will commute between the sites.
Schloss Mittersill Christian Study Center in Mittersill, Austria
This beautiful castle complex overlooks the picturesque town of Mittersill, nestled in the heart of the Central European Alps. The Schloss community is composed of about 60 residents and guests from around the world. Students share meals, activities, and worship with this community, which greatly enriches formal classroom study of international business.
Lycée Notre Dame de la Paix, Lorient (Brittany) France. Students will attend classes and events in a collaboration between post-bac students at one of France’s highest ranked private institutions.
Jacques Lefevre Institue in Merville-Franceville (near Caen, France)
Most Americans know Normandy largely because of D-Day in June 1944, but Normandy has played a larger role in world history, particularly as a result of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Daily activities such as visits to places like Mont St. Michel and the site of the Normandy Invasion will supplement daily class sessions in consumer behavior and French culture.

Semester Calendar
Students begin the term during the last week of August in Germany attending courses at the Goethe Institute in five different locations in Germany. The group will reassemble in late September at Schloss Mittersill, living and studying in the medieval castle and study center. After that, we will be visiting key business and culture sites in Prague, Berlin, Cologne, and Munich. After a week of free travel in October, the group will spend time at the Institute Jacques Lefevre and the the Lycée Notre Dame de la Paix in Brittany before returning in late November to the Schloss to complete their studies around December 5.

Accommodations & Meals
Lodging varies depending on the location, ranging from a converted castle in Austria to hostels in France and Germany. Meals vary as well, from informal dining centers to occasional formal banquets. Students will be exposed to a broad range of international cuisines.

Cost
Students pay the equivalent of Bethel tuition, room (junior level) and full board, plus additional program fees estimated at 10-15% [about $1700] of tuition/room/board. Other student costs include money for independent travel, plus spending money. Program fee covers tuition, basic room, twenty weekly meals, round trip airfare to Europe, program study travel within Europe, fees for required study excursions and required site visits, costs for guest lectures, study tours and a per diem for travel during free travel. Costs not covered include passport, immunizations, books and supplies, bottled water, snack money, spending money, laundry money, independent excursions or sight seeing, all non-study related travel including weekends.

Requirements

Minimum sophomore standing
Prerequisite of one business course, Principles of Marketing.
Minimum 2.5 GPA
See application for additional policies

Next steps

Talk with your academic advisor – off-campus study should complement your field of study.
Ask questions – feel free to contact Off-Campus Programs/International Studies (x2372) for any additional information, or contact the Business Department: Professor Tom Johnson, AC 227, x6423, tl-johnson@bethel.edu
Obtain an application from CC320A.

Dates
Aug 24 – Dec. 5 roughly a week earlier than the dates for Bethel’s fall semester.

Important dates
November 3
Application deadline (Application includes $50 nonrefundable application fee)

November Students notified of acceptance ($250 Confirmation Deposit due 2 weeks after acceptance to hold spot)

April 2009 (18th or the 26th, still tentative)
Study Abroad Orientation (mandatory)

May
Pre-departure meetings

August
Final program payment due with Fall 2009 bill

August 24
Tentative departure date

Dec. 5
Tentative return date