Thumbnail

ExCEL Program

International Experiential Corporate Learning Program

May 2024 ExCEL Program

Barcelona, Spain (Focus on Digital Business and Innovation)

May 11-22, 204

Applications Now Available

(Due January 19, 2024)

Program Learning Objectives

    ExCEL features meetings with executives of some of the top companies and businesses in major cities around the world as well as local and national government officials. The goal of the program is for students to meet with business leaders, not just from U.S. companies doing business outside of the U.S., but also joint ventures, and wholly nationally owned businesses. In doing so, the program hopes to:

    • Enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of international business.
      The program is focused on giving students a better understanding of the complexities of doing business under other economic systems, the scope of business opportunities, and the way U.S. companies operate outside the U.S.
    • Develop their appreciation of cultural differences.
      There is no better way to learn, feel, understand, and see cultural differences than to be immersed in the foreign country for a period of time.
    • Expose them to foreign business practices.
      A good amount of time is dedicated to taking students on company tours, multinational and local corporations, led by a general manager or executive.

    Past Trips

    Milan and Florence, Italy (May 2023) Focus on fashion industry, including designers, manufacturers, retail, distributing and marketing/PR. Visit included Valentino, Burberry, Manebi, Boemos (manufacturer of Tom Ford and Louboutin shoes) and laRinascente. You Can view the schedule here- ExCEL 2023 Milan + Florence Schedule 

    Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE (March 2019) Visits included Emirates, Nervora/Vogue Arabia, CBRE, Mubadala, and Etisalat. See a sample schedule - Dubai/Abu Dhabi 2019 Schedule.

    London (March 2018) Focus on Brexit and its impact. Visits included Salesforce, Shell Oil,  Braintree (Paypal), London Metal Exchange, Q5 Consulting, Microsoft and  Double Negative Special Effects

    Milan and Florence, Italy (May 2017) Focus on fashion industry, including designers, manufacturers, retail, distributing and marketing/PR. Visit included Isaia, Salvatore Ferragamo, Manebi, Boemos (manufacturer of Tom Ford and Louboutin shoes) and laRinascente. Milan-Florence ExCEL 2017 Schedule

    Yangon, Myanmar and Bangkok, Thailand (March 2017) Focus on comparison of 2 linked developing economies at different stages in development. Visits included- Lazada, Telenor (Myanmar), KBZ Bank, Carlsberg, City Mart, and Yoma Strategic.

    Hong Kong; Berlin, Germany; Manila, Philippines; Tel Aviv, Israel; Paris, France; Kuala Lumpur/Singapore; Panama City, Panama; Gabarone, Botswana; Istanbul, Turkey; Havana, Cuba; Rome and Milan, Italy; Copenhagen, Denmark and Stockholm, Sweden; Lima, Peru; Budapest, Hungary; Bangkok, Thailand; Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; Taipei, Taiwan; Tokyo, Japan; Seoul, Korea; Beijing, China; Shanghai, China

    May 2024 Program

    The Marshall School of Business will be leading a group of undergraduate students to meet with business leaders,  and entrepreneurs in Barcelona, Spain May 11-22, 2024.

    Barcelona, Spain:  Barcelona is home to the largest mobile digital conference in the world (MWC), as well as becoming a world-class tech hub. Major tech companies are setting up their headquarters in the city which has helped fuel an entrepreneurial boom (home to over 2500 start-ups and counting). Unicorns such as Glovo, Travelperk, eDreams and Wallbox were founded in Barcelona and continue to call the city home. 

    The government is not letting the private sector be the only entities, as the "City of Barcelona's government has set in motion an ambitious plan for digital transformation that will place the city in the vanguard of efficiency, transparency and social innovation

    The goal of this program is to introduce students to digital business ecosystem in Barcelona. Major companies as well as start-ups who are using digital innovation to revolutionize their core business and address current concerns and trends.  We will meet with a wide-variety of companies in order to gain a deep understanding of what makes Barcelona such as pioneer in terms of digital business innovation. 

    You can view a sample schedule from Spring 2023's program in Milan and Florence (ExCEL 2023 Milan + Florence Schedule) as well as Spring 2019 (Dubai & Abu Dhabi 2019 Schedule) to gain an idea of what the program may look like for May 2024

    We also will plan 1-2 cultural tours, as well as provide students with free time to explore Barcelona.

    Costs

    The cost of the program is $3650, this includes round-trip airfare (LAX to Barcelona) on British Air (group flight only- departing May 11th and returning May 22nd), hotel accommodation (we will stay at the Four Points by Sheraton Barcelona Diagonal)  airport transfers, breakfasts, lunches during visit days, optional cultural tour, transportation in Barcelona, and bus transportation and guide for the week. It does NOT include personal expenses, dinners or any possible visa expenses. (The program costs will be fee-billed to the students’ USC account for convenience.) 

    Students who wish to stay longer or fly home directly from Italy instead of flying to Los Angeles may book their own flights (they will also be responsible for making their way to the Hotel Barcelona, as well as any other expenses associated with their extended stay (such as additional hotel nights, transportation to the airport to return home, etc). The cost for the land portion of the program (no flight) is $3000

    The department does NOT offer any scholarships for this program. In addition, as the program does NOT include a class, it is NOT eligible for USC Financial Aid. 

     

    Requirements and Qualifications

    The program is open to ALL undergraduate USC majors, who will have completed 36 collegiate units (this includes USC and/or transfer credits. This does NOT include AP/IB credits. All students must have completed at least 1 year of college level coursework by January 1, 2024). All applicants must have a minimum 2.75 GPA.  

    May 2024 graduates CAN apply to the program. Be aware commencement is May 10th we depart May 11th and all students need to be in Barcelona by the evening of May 12th. 

    Be aware unlike most Maymester programs there is NO class associated with this program, and credit is not charged nor awarded.  We will hold 3-4 meetings prior to departure in order to have students be better acquainted with the culture, economics and business climate of Spain and Barcelona. 

    Apply Here 

    (Application due January 19, 2024)

    (this will take you to the Terra Dotta site- click the Apply Now button)

    If you have any questions please contact the Marshall Undergraduate International Programs office at (213) 764-8447 or by email at uginternational@marshall.usc.edu.