Hello! My name is Leah Mendes, and I am spending the semester studying at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, a city in the Catalonia region of Spain. Through this REEP Program, I have the opportunity to take classes in International Business and Marketing, practice some Spanish that I never typically speak at home, and earn a Certificate in International Business through Mays. Barcelona is absolutely wonderful, and I’ve been busy getting to know the city- this has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world, and nothing I see fails to amaze me. I know that these three months are going to fly by so quickly, and I’m going to soak up as much of it as possible.

I have been so excited about my classes so far, and even though they haven’t been too demanding yet I know I’m learning a lot. I was able to take classes I would normally enroll in at A&M without falling behind, and they cover a lot of similar concepts but everything is taught from a global perspective. I am enrolled in two marketing management classes, a consumer behavior class, and an operations management class, all with excellent professors. Registration was a little bit frustrating, because a majority of the exchange students didn’t get the classes we requested (I got two out of four of mine, but they’re scheduled at the same time.) However, after the add/drop session I was able to get all four that I needed. I feel like I’ve finally gotten into a routine for school, so I’ve been able to venture out to more sites and have a bucket list I’m working on. Even when I’m not intending to go somewhere cool, I find myself stumbling upon breathtaking places- it seems like everywhere I turn, there’s another beautiful cathedral, monument, port, or quaint street filled with little cafes and shops. Not a bad place to live. Additionally, we’ve been able to see quite a few of the typical “touristy” sites- La Sagrada Familia, Montjuic, Barceloneta Beach, Parc Guell, etc. My roommates and I (who are also from A&M and studying at UPF) made a trip to Paris a few weekends ago, and attended a retreat in the Spanish countryside with the other exchange students from the university. We have a few more trips planned in the coming months. I can’t wait to explore more of Europe!

Using Spanish has been humbling to say the least, but also really exciting. I am a Spanish minor, so that was one of my main motivations for choosing this country for my study abroad experience. I had heard mixed things about learning it in Barcelona because this region of Spain speaks Catalan in addition to Spanish, but I’ve been able to use it everywhere we’ve gone and have had some great conversations with people, so I think I’m making progress. Disregard the times when I’ve used the wrong word or the person has replied in English. I signed up for a non-credit Spanish class at UPF that is helping tremendously, and I have a wonderful conversation partner I found through a program at the university. I am also in a group project for one of my classes with all Spanish students, which has allowed me to practice more business-related terms. Barcelona is such an international city that most people speak at least a tiny bit of English too, but I’ve been trying not to use it with locals unless I have to. That being said, a majority of our friends here are exchange students from all over the world, and English is the predominant language spoken among that group. We have met people from about 30 different countries, and all of them spoke at least two languages. Talk about motivation! I absolutely love how many different kinds of people there are here though and have enjoyed being able to talk to them about their countries and cultures.

A few observations about the Spaniards- first of all, their whole pace of life is at about 50% of what it is in the US. I guess when you live somewhere this beautiful you want to stop to take it all in, because they walk. so. slowly. It sometimes rivals a crawl. They take much more time eating meals, have multiple courses, and start dinner around 10pm. It’s also really rare to see “to go” anything. They have siestas in the middle of the day when everything closes around this city so that people can rest. In general, people just seem less tense. I have so much respect for how fully present they can be, and that they take time to appreciate and really experience everything. I’m learning to become better at this, and am thankful to not be constantly rushing, especially when I’m surrounded by so many incredible things. Thank you for reading about my experiences, and I will keep everyone updated as the semester continues!
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Categories: 2014, Reciprocal Exchange, Spain

I cannot believe that tomorrow will mark one month of being abroad. I have been having the time of my life and am so happy that Texas A&M and Mays Business School have so many opportunities to go abroad! The students at EM Strasbourg are so nice and helpful, it made the transition very smooth. After the students from the Bureau de l’International picked us up at the train station, they were nice enough to let us stay at their place until our dorm opened.

School is definitely different than at A&M. Classes change times, days, classrooms and even buildings from week to week so you have to be very flexible. Some classes just have one final exam, and some just have group projects. Not having the pressure to study for tests every few weeks, actually makes me more engaged in the class. Having classes with international students from all over the world make the classes that much more interesting!

Since I have been here, I’ve crossed the Rhine river to have lunch in Germany, taken a day trip to Colmar, France, and weekend excursions to both Luxembourg and Switzerland. This weekend we have planned a road trip to Salzburg, Austria to see where Mozart lived and of course the areas where The Sound of Music was filmed. CAN’T WAIT!!!

Strasbourg, France

Categories: 2014, France, Reciprocal Exchange

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Howdy! I have been in Copenhagen for a week now, and I am already in love with everything here. One reason I picked CBS is because the school works well with the students. For example, I was able to have a buddy who picked me up from the airport and I can also hang out with. I would have been absolutely lost without her. They also have optional social packages so I am able to meet many international students and do really fun activities with them. I came here not knowing anyone, and by the second day had great friends.

IMG_4614I have traveled a little around Copenhagen and have made one day trip to Lund, Sweden. There are always people in the dorm who are willing to go with you, so I never have to worry about traveling alone.

It is now January 29th, and it is my second day of classes. Classes work very differently here than back home. There are no grades except the final. I have three courses in quarter 3 and one in quarter 4. The classes are twice a week and about 2 and half hours long (two breaks in between, thank goodness). The lectures are informative and useful for studying. I plan to keep up with studying so I do not have to cram once finals come around.

That’s all for now!

-Catherine Neil

Categories: 2014, Denmark, Reciprocal Exchange

Well, what can I say? Just over 3 short weeks ago I began my 8 month study abroad experience and it has already been, in a word, incredible. I will be at Lancaster University in the United Kingdom until the end of June, and then move on to some personal travels around the rest of Europe for two months during the summer. Here in Lancaster I am living in a flat on campus with 5 other people and another 6 in the other flat on the same floor. I was nervous going in, but there is more than plenty of room for everyone and all of my flatmates have been incredibly welcoming and hospitable. I can already tell that we will be friends for years to come.

The sun setting on the city of Morecambe

The campus itself is much smaller than Texas A&M’s but it makes walking to class a lot quicker so I’ve got no complaints! Nothing on campus is more than about a ten minute walk and a short bus ride will take you into town easily. The amount and (relative) easy of public transportation has been one of the biggest changes for me since I’ve arrived here in England. Just from the bus stop on campus I have already been able to journey to the cities of Chester, Morecambe, and Manchester – all very interesting places in their own ways.

I have already had so much fun and I know that as the term progresses I will get to experience and learn some amazing things that will allow me to grow and excel both personally and professionally.

Until then I’ll be having some more fun in Liverpool this weekend and at Manchester United Football Club’s stadium “Old Trafford” this Tuesday!

Categories: 2014, Reciprocal Exchange, United Kingdom

The Center for International Business Studies (CIBS) is excited to introduce a new blog for our Reciprocal Exchange (REEP) students.  CIBS is located within the Mays Business School and offers both undergraduate and graduate business students the opportunity to study at one of 22 partner universities for 1-2 semesters.  Please click here to see a complete list of our exchange partners.

While REEP students are abroad, they will post monthly about their experiences and adventures.  We hope this blog will serve as an avenue for current students abroad to communicate with one another and to inform future and prospecitve REEP students.

Please contact us to find out more about our Reciprocal Exchange Programs or other study abroad opportunities for Mays Business School students.

Katy Lane, Program Coordinator
Center for International Business Studies
Mays Business School
230 Wehner Building
College Station, TX 77843-4116
979-845-5234
http://cibs.tamu.edu

Categories: Reciprocal Exchange