Business Students Gain Global Experience with Study Abroad Programs in Spain and France

Is studying abroad worth it? For students and faculty - it's a resounding yes!

Each summer, dozens of students take the opportunity to learn beyond the walls of an American classroom through a culturally rich and immersive experience overseas. Most recently, over 60 students participated in either a six-week program in Seville, Spain or a new three-week program in Lyon, France. Both programs allowed students to earn credits while gaining real-world experience through internships and specialized coursework.

40 students embarked on the faculty-led study abroad program in Seville. Traveling with Associate Dean and Marketing Instructor Marc Rhorer, Ph.D., Marketing Professor Anil Bilgihan, Ph.D., and Management Senior Instructor Joseph Patton, DBA, students took courses on international marketing and global strategy and policy. 

“This program goes beyond the scope of any single department, combining marketing, management, and hospitality courses and faculty with hands-on internships. It is a true College of Business initiative. The Spain and France study abroad experiences are a crucial element in the College’s commitment to offering our students more global opportunities." 

—Marc Rhorer, Associate Dean and Instructor 

Many also participated in a six-week internship with local companies and organizations where they were exposed to a diversity of industries—from healthcare to food retail, and even the automotive industry:

• SAMU, a Spanish organization promoting healthcare and education projects in depressed areas — project development 
• Vithas Hospital in Seville — marketing and customer service
• Housin American Cars, a diverse business entering the market to import high-end vehicles into Spain — marketing, customer service, and logistics 
• FEGO, a French-based manufacturer of plant based alternative meat products — market analysis, consumer research, competitive analysis, and marketing planning

“My time studying in Spain is definitely a highlight of my academic career. Studying abroad helped me define what it means to be a professional in the business world, opened my perspective to a whole new culture, and gave me unforgettable memories, laughs, friends, traveling, food, and culture. For those thinking about studying abroad, my advice is to get outside your comfort zone and be comfortable with the uncomfortable; you experience growth in your life, and it ultimately contributes to the person you are and who you wish to become in the future. ” 

—Adrian Monceau, international business student

For many, the internship opportunity was  the best part of their time in Seville. Not only did it offer them real working experience in an international setting, but it also gave them an impressive addition to their resumes and point of discussion for job interviews.

“In Seville, I secured a Market Analysis Project Manager internship for a startup company. On top of doing market research, competitor dashboards, market penetration plans and more, I managed my team, organized our project, led team meetings, and completed weekly reports. Aside from the amazing intercultural experiences, I gained a lot of unforgettable experiences through traveling to Morocco, Portugal, and France during our long weekends.”

—Ava Sezgin, honors finance student

“The relationships I built really stand out. Living with a host family helped me fully embrace the culture. This journey significantly impacted both my personal and professional development.”

—Justin Bender, finance student

23 students traveled to Lyon, France to study food and beverage management with Dr. Joseph Patton and Kimberly Paulus, Assistant Dean and Executive Director of Student Academic Services. Visiting vineyards, food markets, cheese producers, farms, restaurants, bakeries, and more provided an up-close look at Lyon’s food, wine, and hospitality industry. Students also enjoyed cultural activities including a French cooking class, a silk weaving workshop, traditional boules games, visiting the city’s premier indoor food market Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, and a river tour on the Saône. 

American entrepreneur and wine educator Caroline Connor, one of the most recognized voices of food and wine in Lyon, inspired students with her advice on personal branding, social media and email marketing, as well as the challenges and successes of entrepreneurship.

“Everyone said studying abroad would change my life. I knew it would bring new experiences, but I couldn’t predict how impactful it would be. Some of my favorite moments in Lyon were driving through small towns and realizing that for the locals, this wasn’t just a stop, but their way of life, giving me a much broader and deeper understanding of the world.”

—Taylor Gates, accounting student

“This study abroad program offers a unique chance for students to gain valuable academic credit while immersing themselves in a new culture, developing professionally through experiential learning, and significantly broadening their global perspective, with many past participants reporting a life-changing impact from their experience, making it a highly recommended program for all students to consider.”

—Kim Paulus, Assistant Dean and Executive Director of Student Academic Services

Summer 2025 programs are already accepting registrations! 

• May 11 - May 30 - From the Farm to the Fork: Food Marketing in Barcelona, Spain
• May 14 - June 20 - International Business and Internship Program in Seville, Spain 
• June 22 - July 11 - Food and Wine in International Business in Bologna, Italy
• June 29 - July 18 - Food, Wine, and Tourism in Lyon, France

For additional information about the 2025 Study Abroad Programs, please contact the FAU Education Abroad office at goabroad@fau.edu 

-FAU-