BARCELONA- MILAN- BUDAPEST 2014
Theme: "A Taste of European Business"
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Locations:
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Barcelona, Spain
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Milan, Italy
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Lake Como, Italy
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Budapest, Hungary
Time:
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June 2014
Group:
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20 high potential future business leaders from California State University, Chico
Program:
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Through networking with international managers, being immersed in three distinct cultures, volunteering in a local service project, and completing a hands-on academic curriculum focused on leadership development, students will gain perspecitves that will enable them to become true leaders.
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Expeditions to Planet Earth develops leaders through purposeful travel.
OVERVIEW
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During June 2014, Expeditions took 19 dynamic, future business leaders on a ten day excursion across Spain, Italy, and Hungary. The trip marked the first time nearly all of the CSU, Chico business students had traveled outside the US.
TRAINING
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Before the journey, the group spent several months preparing for international travel and participating in cultural sensitivity training. They also worked on their business etiquette, individual strengths, effective communication, and community fundraising skills.
BUSINESS VISITS
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Throughout the journey, participants met with the fortune 500 Hewlett Packard, one of the big 4 audit firms- Ernst and Young, cutting edge electric car manufacturer Tesla, test-driving the Model S, and innovative cloud software-startup gone global, Prezi.
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The team also participated in a luxury industry workshop with international businesswoman Rosetta Borgia, who’s worked with Valentino, Fendi, Apple, and Gucci.
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These interactions allowed the students to explore the differences in company culture, professional expectations, and daily life across various industries.
CULTURAL IMMERSION
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Led by local guides, the students engaged in cultural activities. For example, in Barcelona, Spain, the group visited UNESCO world heritage sites designed by Gaudi and participated in TEDxBarcelona/ in Milan, Italy, the team visited Pirellone, Sforza Castle, and the Duomo; they also explored nearby Lake Como and interacted with locals. In Budapest Hungary, the team visited architectural wonders like the Basilica and Parliament, attended a world class violin concert, and learned about history at the House of Terror.
SERVICE
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Another important part of the program was service, so the group fundraised $1,500 dollars for physical education equipment that a Hungarian kindergarten needed.
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They also connected the Hungarian Kindergarten with one near Chico California by exchanging short videos and photos, so teachers and kids can get a glimpse of life on the other side of the world.
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Moreover, the team volunteered for the day, taking the 100 Hungarian kindergarteners on a field trip to a local zoo.
FOLLOW-UP
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After the journey, the students participated in a follow up session reflecting on how to utilize their experience in future careers. They returned to California with a newfound appreciation for European business and culture.