Spain and Portugal 2012 (March 10 - 18, 2012)

View our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for additional information.

1. Program Description
2. Travel Dates and Locations
3. Program Costs
4. What is Included
5. Eligibility
6. Courses Offered
7. Tentative Itinerary
8. Financial Aid
9. Program Director Contact
10. Program Due Dates
11. Refund Policy
12. On Campus Meetings
13. Scholarships
14. Travel Visas
15. Application / Enrollment Information

This study abroad program is conducted within the context of the international marketing and marketing communications courses offered by the College of Business during Spring Break 2012.

This marketing study abroad program in Spain and Portugal offers the unique opportunity for a limited number of students to gain knowledge about conducting business in another culture/foreign environment from a marketing perspective, and to obtain specific in-country experience regarding marketing and marketing communications opportunities and challenges through in-country lectures and presentations by local experts, business visits to companies and communications agencies as well as cultural visits.

Marketing study abroad programs are designed to introduce students to the marketing practices of US companies seeking opportunities abroad and to raise their awareness about the importance of viewing marketing management strategies and tactics from a global perspective.

The marketing department has developed a very interesting, activity-filled program to Spain and Portugal which will be preceded by 2 on-campus meetings in preparation for the trip, and followed by one on-campus meeting upon return from Spain and Portugal (all meetings will take place on a Saturday at mid-day on campus). All in-country lectures, presentations, and business visits to companies and advertising agencies will be conductedin English as well as tours of local sites.

The program will travel from March 10 - 18, 2012 to Madrid & Barcelona, Spain and to Lisbon, Portugal.

The cost of this trip is $2,850 program fee + $530 instructional fee (per class) + $175 Study Abroad Fee (includes international medical insurance). Please note that an initial registration fee of $1,000.00 is due when enrolling

The registration fee can be paid with any major credit card. We cannot accept checks or money orders. Additionally, we cannot add the initial registration fee to a student's Panthersoft account. The registration fee will be deducted from the program fee.

The program fee includes round-trip international airfare, hotel accommodations (based on double occupancy), ground transportation (as indicated on the itinerary), entry to cultural and business visits, and daily breakfast.

Students will be responsible for any and all personal and/or additional expenses including (but not exclusive to), travel visas, passport fees, currency exchange fees, Internet fees, faxes, phone, lodging incidentals (i.e. room service) or extensions, meals not covered in the program, appropriate tips, vaccinations/inoculations, and any other voluntary tours or excursions not covered in the program. Gratuities are not included and will be collected at the start of the program. Information about gratuities will be provided during one of the on-campus meetings.

To participate in this study abroad program, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Business students must already be admitted to the College of Business.
2. Must be a junior or a senior to participate. The courses offered are 4000 level courses and carry prerequisites that must be met.
3. Non-business students may participate as long as they are a junior or senior enrolled at FIU with a minor in Marketing. Speak with your academic advisor to see if the classes offered will count as upper level electives.
4. Professional BBA Students should consult with the Professional BBA office before applying.

All students are required to take the mandatory MAR 4933 course and may select one additional course (for a maximum of 6 credits). Students should check the prerequisites for the courses they wish to take before applying. Our office will get an advisor approval for the classes selected and will automatically register the student once approved.

• MAR 4933 - Special Topics in Marketing (Mandatory)
• MAR 4156 - International Marketing
• MAR 4323 - Integrated Marketing Communications

The following itinerary is a preliminary itinerary, that is subject to change. Students will receive an official itinerary prior to departure.

day 1	Saturday, March 10th, 2012
»	Depart from Miami to Barcelona, Spain
day 2	Sunday, March 11th, 2012
»	Arrive in Barcelona, Spain.
»	After clearing customs and immigration, proceed towards the arrival lounge of the airport where you will be welcomed by your representative and transferred to your hotel
»	Check in at hotel
»	Orientation
»	Walking tour of Barcelona and visit to Las Ramblas
day 3	Monday, March 12th, 2012
»	Breakfast at the hotel
»	Full day of business visits (TBA)
»	Evening Panoramic Barcelona Highlights tour
day 4	Tuesday, March 13th, 2012
»	Breakfast at the hotel
»	Travel to Madrid in early morning
»	Check in at the hotel and have lunch on your own
»	Cultural Visit: Madrid tour with visits to Puerta de Sol and Plaza Mayor. Visit the Prado Museum
day 5	Wednesday, March 14th, 2012
»	Breakfast at the hotel
»	Travel to Spain's old capital city of Toledo where you will have a walking tour that includes Toledo's magnificent Cathedral. Later in the afternoon, enjoy the winding medieval streets of Toledo.
»	Return back to Madrid
day 6	Thursday, March 15th, 2012
»	Breakfast at the hotel
»	Full day of business visits (TBA)
»	Return to the hotel
day 7	Friday, March 16th, 2012
»	Breakfast at the hotel
»	Morning flight to Lisbon, Portugal
»	Day trip to Sintra
day 8	Saturday, March 17th, 2012
»	Breakfast at the hotel
»	Full day cultural visit: City Tour and visit of St. Jeronimos Monestary
»	Return to the hotel
day 9	Sunday, March 18th, 2012
»	Breakfast at the hotel
»	Meet in lobby for departure to Miami

Financial Aid is available for this study abroad program. Students who wish to use financial aid (grants, scholarships, loans, etc) to help cover the cost of this program must speak with Financial Aid (305-348-7272) to discuss their individual needs.

While we do our utmost to accommodate students with financial aid, please be aware that it is the students responsibility for paying the balance of this program by the due dates. In the event the disbursement date of the financial aid funds occurs after our due date, students will be responsible for paying the balance out of their own pocket by such time

For questions regarding your study abroad application, please contact CIBER at (305) 348-1740 or by e-mail ciber@fiu.edu.

For any questions regarding academics of this program, please contact the program director for this program:

Professor Elisabeth Beristain
Department of Marketing
Tel: (305) 919-5870
E-mail: Elisabeth.Beristain@fiu.edu

Please be mindful of the due dates listed below. Failure to turn in the requested documents by the due date may result in removal from the program and forfeiture of all monies paid. Our office will not make any exceptions to any student. Students must adhere to these dates in order to successfully participate in this program.

1.	Balance Payment	January 09, 2012
2.	Copy of Passport and U.S. Residency Card/Visa	January 16, 2012
	Passport must be valid for at least six months beyond date of return.
3.	Submitted Medical Information Form	January 20, 2012
4.	Last day to withdraw with a refund (see refund policy below)	November 29, 2011

Cancellations received by November 29, 2011 will be eligible to receive a refund, less a $100 dollar processing fee. Written notice of cancellation is required. We regret that cancellations received after November 29, 2011 will not be eligible for refunds due to financial commitments to various vendors.

Students enrolled in this program will be required to attend two on campus meetings prior to the departure of the trip. Attendance is mandatory. Lunch will be provided to the students. Students who cannot attend must e-mail the professor and CIBER in advance and will be required to obtain any missed information. Parents and spouses are always welcome to attend these meetings, but please know these meetings will mainly discuss the course curriculum.

1. TBA.
2. TBA.

The following scholarships are available for this program:

1. CBA-CIBER Need Based Scholarship
   This $750.00 scholarship is available to one students that meet the following requirements:
   • Minimum 3.7 GPA
   • Admitted to the College of Business Administration
   • Enrolled in this study abroad program
   • Must demonstrate the need for financial assistance
   To apply for this scholarship, please fill out the Application Form and submit it to CIBER along with a 1 page proposal on why you want to study abroad (Deadline: January 30, 2012). Scholarship awards will be prior to start of the program.
   
   
2. Panorama Travel Global Leadership Scholarship
   This $500.00 scholarship is available to one student that meets the follow requirements:
   • Minimum 3.0 GPA
   • Admitted to the College of Business Administration
   • Enrolled in this study abroad program
   • Must present proof of community service/volunteer work (such as a letter from the organization)
   To apply for this scholarship, please fill out the Application Form and submit it to CIBER along with a 1 page proposal on why you want to study abroad (Deadline: January 30, 2012).
   

All students are responsible for verifying if they require a visa for travel or not. Students are responsible for applying for a travel visa and paying all necessary fees. When applying for a visa, please apply for a tourist visa. Our office will provide the student with any necessary documentation needed when applying, such as a letter of enrollment verification, an official itinerary, or a copy of their airfare/hotel reservation. These documents should be requested one week in advance from our office. These documents can only be processed once the student has provided us with a copy of their valid passport, and a copy of their student visa/green card (if applicable). Students are urged not to wait until the last moment to apply for their visa. Since the group's main port of entry is Spain, students who need a Schengen Visa will be required to apply for this visa through the Consulate General of Spain. Please review the following links for more information about applying for your Schengen Visa: 1. Requirements 2. Schengen Visa Application Form 3. Visa Fee (Money Order) NO APPLICATION WILL BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT PRIOR APPOINTMENT (PER PERSON). Consulate General of Spain 2655 Le Jeune Road Suite 203 Coral Gables, FL 33134 http://www.conspainmiami.org/

To enroll into this study abroad program, please complete the online application by clicking the "Enroll Now" button below. You will be required to make an initial registration fee of $1,000.00 with any major credit card. The remaining balance will be added to your Panthersoft account once you have been enrolled in the classes.

In addition to the online application, students must submit the following documents to our office by the due date listed above:

1. Clear copy of valid passport
2. Clear copy of Visa/U.S. Residency card (if applicable)
3. The Medical Information Form (A copy will be e-mailed to you after enrolling)

The application is not considered complete until these documents have been received. We cannot receive fax copies of these documents.

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