College of Business allows students to study abroad

Even in the most challenging economic climates, students at SFA are showing increasing interest in study abroad programs offered on campus.In addition to their culture based curricula, many of the programs are going hybrid, weaving course study and cultural insights together, allowing students an experience that would normally be considered an extra curricular adornment to the cap, gown and diploma.

The Rusche College of Business' Wall to Wall Business travel program is one such program. It allows SFA students to travel from country to country, exploring places of trade and policy while learning first hand the ins and outs of international transactions.The course is a two part program, offered to juniors and senior, that begins with spring enrolment in GBU 475 European Business Capitals and ends in a trip held during the May Mester of summer 2010.

The business course is a three hour credit course designed to expose students to the business and government environments of European business. Emphasis is placed on international trade, finance and regulation within the European Union as well as the companies, landmarks, and architecture that students will tour.The program also offers a crash course in basic French that allows students to become acquainted with the language predominately spoken on the trip.

Dr. Keaton Grubbs, associate professor of legal studies in the department of general business, is the instructor for GBU 475.The course is based heavily in business and trade, but the program is for all majors, he said.Enrollment requires a 2.5 GPA or higher and a personal interview with the instructor. Grubbs emphasized the importance of the course and explained, Just because students pay for the class, it doesn't mean they are buying an A in the course.The trip itself is a 14-day excursion through Belgium, France and England, exploring the culture and business customs in each country.