Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Name Of The Study Abroad Course?

The course title is Special Topics in Business: An International Business Experience. The course is designed for upper-level undergraduates and MBA students. It is a three credit-hour course. 

What Is Covered In The Study Abroad Course?

The course content includes: History and Business Context for Spain and Austria; World Trade and Globalization; Culture and Business; Effective Virtual Teams; Business in the European Union; Brand Positioning in Europe; European Distribution Channels; The Essentials of Doing Business Globally. The course will include three company visits. The course will also include walking tours designed for cultural immersion.

When Is The Study Abroad Course Offered?

The Spain and Austria Short-term Study Abroad Program is offered for Summer A (On-campus) or Summer 1 (Online). The course runs from May through June, 2021. The actual time in Spain and Austria will begin Wednesday, June 16th and conclude on Saturday, June 26th (must join the program on the 16th). The course includes eight online lectures prior to travel and seminars in country from June 16th  through June 26th. Student final presentation will occur in Spain.

What Is The Total Tuition And Program Cost For The Study Abroad Course?

The total tuition and program cost per student is $4,400. Please note, the tuition and program costs do not include international airfare. The amount is a fixed fee. The total amount is due before the beginning of the Summer A or Summer 1 semester. Early registration discount available for first seven students (see payment schedule below for more details).

What’s The Payment Schedule For The Study Abroad Course?

The initial deposit of $800 is required upon acceptance into the course and no later than February 15th, 2021. The deposit fee is non-refundable unless COVID-19 changes our travel plans. In this case, refunds will be provided. Following the initial $800 deposit, the remaining balance is due in no more than three installments. The first installment of $1400 is due March 1, 2021, $1400 second installment is due April 1, 2021 and final installment of $800 is due May 1, 2021.

Any travel vouchers and Extended Study Scholarships will be deducted from the final installment.

Please note: Financial aid during the summer term is typically disbursed in early May. Consequently, students receiving financial aid will be responsible for total payment inclusive of the deposit and two installment payments prior to financial aid disbursement. Florida Tech will not provide any coverage of the $4,400 cost for which the student anticipates financial aid coverage.

What Expenses Are Covered In The Payment For The Study Abroad Course?

The expenses covered for the $4,400 payment include:

• Tuition
• Reading materials
• Ten nights of lodging in four-star accommodations (double occupancy)
• Breakfast each day
• Insurance (medical, evacuation and repatriation coverage)
• Metro pass as needed
• 4 cultural events
• Food:
  • Five dinners
  • Five lunches
  • 10 Breakfasts
• Museum entrance tickets as needed
• Study-abroad golf shirt
• Local transportation (including from Austria to Spain)
• Company visits
• Tickets to cultural excursions

What Expenses Are Not Covered In The Payment For The Study Abroad Course?

The expenses not covered in the $4,400 program costs include but are not limited to:

• Airfare to and from Europe
• Transportation to and from airports
• Meals which occur during your "free time"
• Souvenirs
• Tips and incidentals

What is a realistic budget for the study abroad course?

The total expenses for the study abroad program are estimated to be:

• $4,400 for the program cost
• $700 - $1000 airfare (try to book early for lower cost)
• $500 for meals and incidentals
• Emergency funds (amount to be determined by the student)

Is Financial Aid Available?

Financial aid packages are available for the summer session. Please contact the Florida Tech Financial Aid office for information on eligibility. There may be limits to financial aid for the study abroad program. The student should allow adequate time to verify eligibility with the Financial Aid office. The Financial Aid office can be reached at +1 321-674-8070.

What Are The Dates Associated With The Spain and Austria Component Of The Study Abroad Course?

The Spain and Austria component of the study abroad course is June 16 through June 26, 2021. Students will typically depart for Europe on June 15, 2021 and most flight arrivals from the U.S. occur in the morning hours on June 16, 2021. Departure flights from Europe would typically occur the morning of June 26, 2020 and arrive back in the USA on the next evening. 

Where Will The Students Stay While In Spain and Austria?

The hotels for the study abroad will be selected during the spring semester 2021. In the past, our accommodations have included the Hotel Tryp Ambassador, Emperador Hotel, and other similar hotels near the Opera Metro stop in Madrid. We will also have comparable accommodations (yet to be determined) in Austria and Malaga.

Will All The Course Content Be Provided In Spain and Austria?

No. Several lecture hours will be provided in a synchronous, online format prior to departure for Europe. Specific dates and time to be determined and announced.

Will All The Course Content Be Provided By Florida Tech Faculty?

Lectures will be provided by both FIT faculty and our partner universities: (ESIC University) in Spain and (Upper Austria University) in Austria. Approximately eight - ten lecture hours, most of it covering International business and marketing curriculum, will be provided in a traditional lecture format by faculty from our partner universities. Our partner universities will be our hosts in Spain and Austria, organizing tours and providing usage of campus facilities and cafeteria. All other course content, whether online or in a traditional lecture format in Europe, will be provided by Dr. Charles Bryant, Assistant Professor, Nathan M. Bisk College of Business, Florida Tech.

Has This Type Of Study Abroad Course Been Previously Offered?

Yes. This is our 11th year offering the COB Study Abroad program. Over the past 10 offerings of the program, undergraduate and graduate students from the main campus, the online programs, and the Department of Extended Studies participated in the program. 

Where Will This Course Fit In My Academic Program Plan?

For MBA students, this special topics course will serve as a replacement for BUS 5470. If the student has already taken BUS 5470, then the special topics course will substitute for a business elective. For Healthcare and International Business MBA students the course will count for a business elective, whether BUS 5470 has been taken or not. We also make course substitutions in specific cases where students have few remaining electives. If this is your situation, please contact me directly and I will work with you and your adviser to make arrangement.

For an undergraduate curriculum this class is BUS 4504, which can be used as an elective in your business program. 

For undergraduate students, except International Business (IB) majors, this course will also serve as an elective. For IB majors this course will count for the International Trade course listed on the IB curriculum flowchart. If your are an I.B. major and you have already taken International Trade, we will work with you to find an acceptable course substitution.

Is There A Competitive Selection Process?

Yes. Last year more than 50 students applied, with 26 eventually participating in the program. The higher the GPA and the greater the number of credit hours earned, are the factors considered when determining the roster. If a student has fewer than 60 hours as an undergraduate, a petition to participate must be completed and submitted to Dr. Bryant. The 2021 trip is limited to 18-20 students (depending on visitors and faculty traveling)