Madrid trip gives international business majors a front row seat to global markets and culture

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2. Madrid trip gives international business majors a front row seat to global markets and culture

Madrid hit them first as a feeling. The rush of morning crowds, the clang of café cups, and the sense that for nine days the storied European capital had become their classroom.

For a group of Commonwealth University international business majors, that energy became the backdrop for a study abroad experience that merged business meetings with museum visits, and lectures with late-night conversations in bustling plazas.

Led by Lam Nguyen, professor and chair of the Department of Management, the summer trip invited students to see how global business really works - on the ground, in real time, and across borders.

Learning from Global Industry Leaders

From the outset, Nguyen made one thing clear. This wasn't a sightseeing tour.

Each day paired iconic Madrid backdrops with serious academic engagement. One morning might start with a walk past the Royal Palace, then the afternoon could find students seated in a sleek conference room at one of Spain's leading firms.

A visit to Herrero & Asociados, a premier intellectual property law firm, gave students a rare window into how ideas are protected and monetized in a knowledge-based global economy. They listened as professionals explained how intellectual property strategy shapes international competition and why trademarks and patents matter as much as products.

"This trip along with the international business program has prepared me for my future career by giving me a broader perspective on global markets and business operations, strengthening my communication skills and understanding people from a diverse background," said Alexis Budline, a senior international business major at CU-Bloomsburg.

Another stop brought the group to Sheffield Academy, where the focus shifted to international education and cross-cultural learning. Here, according to Nguyen, students discussed the growing demand for global competencies and how study abroad experiences can set candidates apart in an increasingly interconnected job market.

"This experience is one of the most important for me because I got real-world experience and understand how different cultural communication and different ways of thinking affect business," Leydi Mueses Uillian, a junior international business major at CU-Bloomsburg. "I'm really grateful for this opportunity, and I hope that future students can experience something like this."

A tour of HM Hospitales, one of Spain's leading private healthcare systems, showcased another side of international business. Walking through a modern medical facility, Nguyen said students explored how healthcare organizations use innovation, technology, and patient-centered strategies to compete in a crowded marketplace. The visit underscored that global business isn't just about finance or trade; it touches industries that impact lives every day.

"I had an amazing opportunity where I could visit a hospital, law firm, and learn about different business practices around the world," said Tatiana Beckworth, a senior international business major at CU-Bloomsburg. "I highly recommend it to everyone. Thank you for making this dream come true."

More Than a Study Abroad Experience

In between company visits, Nguyen said students joined a "Madrid as a Global Business Hub" academic session that dug into the city's strategic role in international trade, entrepreneurship, and investment. They explored how Madrid connects Europe with Latin America and why its location, infrastructure, and talent pool make it a magnet for global firms.

According to Nguyen, a collaborative business case that focused on the online marketplace Letgo challenged them to apply what they'd learned, sharpening their analytical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in a truly international context.

"The study abroad trip has allowed me to understand the nature of how people from different countries work together," said Emma Holmes, a junior international business major at CU-Bloomsburg. "This trip has shown me that international business is not just market trade or company operation. It's about understanding differences and adapting to how people work together."

It's exactly the kind of realization Nguyen hopes students will reach.

"Some lessons can only be learned by experiencing the world," Nguyen said. "Faculty-led study abroad programs like this one create learning experiences that cannot be replicated in a traditional classroom. By interacting with international professionals, navigating new cultural environments, and engaging with peers throughout the journey, students develop the global competencies increasingly sought by employers across every industry."

Bringing History and Culture to Life

Outside corporate offices and classroom-style sessions, Madrid's streets became a living textbook. Students stood in the bustle of Puerta del Sol, wandered the historic arches of Plaza Mayor, and looked out over the city from Plaza de España and the grounds of the Royal Palace.

Each site layered historical context onto their understanding of modern Spain.

At the Museo Reina Sofía, home to world-famous works of art, they confronted the intersection of history, politics, and creativity. A guided visit to the Spanish Congress connected their management and international business courses to real-world governance, offering a tangible look at how political institutions shape economic policy.

And then there was the sweet side of learning. At Churrería Chocolatería 1902, one of Madrid's beloved spots for thick hot chocolate and churros, the group lingered over shared plates and conversation.

"It was a journey, an experience I'll never forget," said Daytona Walter, a senior international business major at CU-Bloomsburg. "If you really want to learn something, you have to put yourself in the experience of doing that thing every day."

Walter added, "Having an international business degree and being put into that environment made me understand it better, made me want to pursue it even more. Anybody who is doing international business or the like should go on the trip. It was just amazing."

Madrid Study Abroad '26

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