Date last modified
28-1-2016
Period
6
Code
STU2001
ECTS-credits
4.0 (3 credits in the Penn State System)
Organisational unit
Center for European Studies
Coordinator
N. Ummels
Description
STU2001 – Western Europe Study Tour
The Western Europe Study Tour offers students a unique opportunity to explore Western
Europe from the inside out, with a focus on doing business in the EU in light of fast
changing political and economic conditions. When the member countries are viewed as a
whole, the European Union is one of the world’s largest economies. Ongoing events like
the refugee crisis and the Euro-crisis have shown us that the EU is also an ever evolving
organization with many political and economic ramifications for their member states and
trading partners around the world. The European Union is facing important questions
regarding EU leadership, the capacity of the EU to effectively deal with challenges facing it
and its future: who is, in fact, in charge in the EU? Is a 'core' and 'periphery' of Member
States developing within the EU bloc due to the economic crisis? What does the future
hold for the European integration process? Gaining a better understanding of the
European Union, the organizations that govern it and the companies that operate within
its borders will provide you with a competitive advantage when dealing with this powerful
group of nations.
The Western Europe Study Tour takes you to the most important institutions of the EU,
key European business and powerful financial organisations in the capital cities of four
dominant Western European nations: Brussels (Belgium), London (the U.K.), Paris (France)
and Luxembourg city (Luxembourg). You will get a first hand look behind the scenes with
site visits and organized lectures from policy makers, consultancy agencies and European
business leaders. In addition you will have the opportunity to go on exciting cultural
excursions and explore these iconic cities through guided walking tours, museum visits,
boat excursions and more! It really is a magnificent way to start your summer in Europe.
The study tour consists of (1) a pre-tour orientation, (2) business-related activities such
as company visits, (3) politics-related activities such as visits to the most important
institutions of the European Union, (4) cultural activities including visiting museums,
landmarks, and historical sites, (5) academic work including site-specific lectures on
European business practices and governmental frameworks, and (6) free time to allow for
city exploration, shopping, etc. Students submit written reflections on each city.
Students are assessed based upon their performance on
1. Intercultural Communication Paper
2. Active participation and professional behavior
3. Written Assignments
The Western Europe Study Tour takes place from Monday 11 July to Wednesday 20 July
2016. The fee includes accommodation (double rooms in hotels), transportation, breakfast,
and entrance fees for activities that are part of the programme. The mandatory predeparture activities, such as a 5 hour long Intercultural Communication (ICC) workshop
and orientation session will start on 6 July 2016.
STU2001 Western Europe Study Tour is organized by the Center for European Studies in
close collaboration with Penn State University. A member of staff from Penn State
University accompanies the trip and grades the assignments. The study trip is open to ALL
summer students (Penn State and non-Penn State).
STU2001 is followed by two companion courses, which provide a more in-depth
exploration of the topics addressed during the study tour:

BUS3002 Economics of European Integration. Challenges, policies & practices of
the European business environment
or

POL3004 Law and Politics - current topics in the EU
Penn State students select BUS3002. Non Penn State students are free to choose any of
the courses offered during the second half of the summer programme.
Goals
At the end of this study tour, students will:
 Have visited at least 10 European or related international institutions
 Have learned about key institutions of the European Union and how each
contributes to the economic and political functioning of the EU
 Have become aware of the many interrelationships that politics and economics
have in this complex economy and society
 Have gained a better understanding of the European business environment
 Have developed an appreciation for the strengths and weaknesses in the structure
of the EU, especially as it relates to the recent economic crisis
 Have begun to understand how the EU fits into the world economically and
politically
Instruction language
EN
Prerequisites
Students with a strong interest in political science and international relations or in
economics and international business can select this Study Tour and will each digest their
experiences from their own perspectives..
Students must meet the following prerequisites:
Economics & Business students
Introductory microeconomics and/or macroeconomics. At Penn State this would be Econ
102 and/or Econ 104.
Political science & IR students
Intro to political science or international relations. Advanced course work in political
science, history, or economics may be substituted with permission of CES.
A minimum of 15 students is required for the study tour to take place.
Recommended literature
Students will receive various reading assignments during the Study Tour.
Teaching methods
▪ Assignments ▪ Lectures ▪ Presentations ▪ Working Visits
Assessment methods
▪ Assignments ▪ Attendance ▪ Final paper ▪ Participation ▪ Portfolio ▪ Presentation
Keywords
Study Tour, European Union, Politics, International Relations, Economic policies, European
businesses