Bachelor European Summer Program

Duration:

3 Weeks

Academic Program hours

contact hours of a cultural program

Location

Vallendar

Language

English

Credits

5-7 US Credits or 10-14 ECTS

Contact

The Business, Political, and Cultural Environment in Europe

About the program Faculty Registration and fee Testimonials FAQs Downloads

Interactive lectures and discussions – Gaining in-depth learning experiences

The WHU Bachelor European Summer Program offers a three-week course on 'The Business, Political, and Cultural Environment in Europe’ for Bachelor students of WHU's partner schools on the attractive campus in Vallendar, located just outside of Koblenz in the valley of the Rhine River. As an alternative to an exchange semester, the program offers a targeted and compact insight into international business in Europe, focusing on the political and economic environment in Europe as well as on the impact on business relations in this region.

The next program will take place from May 24 to June 12, 2026

The academic modules of the program typically include:

Trade Integration in Europe and the European Union
Monetary Integration in Europe: The Euro as Europe’s Common Currency
Competing in European Markets
Operations Management in Europe: Embracing Sustainability
Business Environment and Strategies of Foreign Direct Investors in Central and Eastern Europe
European Aspects of Marketing
Aspects of Cultural Competence in Europe
German History
The Relevance of Family Businesses in Europe

Additionally there will be several visits to international companies and financial institutions.

The program is taught entirely in English and comprises 65 academic hours (equivalent to four - five US credits) plus around 20 contact hours of a cultural program (equivalent to one - two US credits). In general, there is no tuition for students enrolled at and nominated by WHU's partner schools (to be confirmed individually). Check if your university is part of our Global Partner Network and find out more about the program costs below.

Providing academic excellence – WHU’s top-notch international faculty

Our expert faculty is all actively engaged in research, allowing us to incorporate the latest relevant findings for the European business world into our curriculum. We also complement our outstanding faculty with relevant international faculty members from our partner schools, as well as lectures, real-life cases, and workshops from top practitioners and subject-matter experts.

Take a look at the faculty profiles of the Bachelor European Summer Program:

Apl. Professor Tim Brexendorf

Professor Sonia Ferencikova

Professor Nic Schaub

Professor Stefan Spinler

Assistant Professor Barbara Stage

Take the next step – Find out more about registration and payment

Apply before March 28, 2026 in order to reserve a place, as seats are limited. Find out more about the registration process and the reduced fees for students nominated by partner universities

More information on the registration and payment processes

In their own words – Testimonials from program participants

The Bachelor European Summer Program offers Bachelor students from around the world the opportunity to enjoy tailor-made and in-depth learning experiences in a European business environment. By cooperating with various educational institutions and companies across the continent, it was possible to create a program which greatly benefits the students’ professional futures.

Find out why the Bachelor European Summer Program is the best choice for you!

Program participants

1/9

David Mockabee

Indiana University

USA

"The Bachelor European Summer Program at WHU was one of the best experiences I’ve ever been a part of. The ability to learn about such a broad range of topics and then getting to see them in action during company visits, sightseeing trips, or historical excursions was invaluable. The faculty here at WHU are equally as impressive as the curriculum; their commitment to teaching program participants so much in such a short amount of time is remarkable. These factors, along with the wonderful people I have met and amazing places I’ve seen, have made this program unforgettable. I feel truly fortunate to have gotten this opportunity and would strongly encourage others to apply!"

Alya Allista Arjuna

Nanyang Technological University

Singapore

"The WHU bachelor summer program gave me great insight to the European environment. The company visits were truly well planned out and we got to connect with high level individuals from the respective companies. The friends I made along the way was the best part of my journey. It provided me a sense of safety and peace knowing that all of us came to this program from different parts of the world. I am so grateful to be part of this incredible experience."

Chu Cheuk Yiu, Matthew

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong

"The WHU’s Bachelor European Summer Program has literally everything I wanted: business knowledge, company visits, German history and culture; all fit neatly into a 3-week schedule, and you’ll also have the weekends to travel to other cities or even nearby countries. It might have been a bit tiring, but it’s all worth it.
Our classmates were friendly, and our professors were very keen on answering our questions. I’m sure we’ve had a better understanding about the big picture of Europe’s market, and Germany in general. Overall, it’s a very enjoyable program, and I had an excellent time in Vallendar."

Jersey Dean

University of Saskatchewan

Canada

"Thank you WHU for the once in a lifetime experience! Between the class trips, the company visits, to the study groups, memories were made at every turn. I have made some good friends this trip I wouldn’t have ever crossed paths with if it were not for this program. I have never been to Europe before, and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to experience it for the first time!"

Le Vinh Mai Khanh

UEH-International School of Business

Vietnam

"These past three weeks as a summer exchange student at WHU have been an unforgettable journey. The opportunity to explore and understand the rich history and vibrant life in Germany has been incredible. At WHU, I understand deeply into the German economy, gaining insights and knowledge that are invaluable. One of the highlights of this experience was participating in business tours to companies like Vanguard, Deutsche Bank, Amazon. These visits opened my eyes to new perspectives and practices in the business world.
But beyond academics and business, the most cherished part of this journey has been the people I've met. Meeting new friends from across the globe has been a heartwarming experience. Despite our different cultures and backgrounds, we quickly bonded and formed meaningful friendships. We shared laughter, stories as well as explored Germany together. I will always cherish these moments and am so thankful for the support and connections that made it all possible.
"

Florence Plamondon

Université Laval

Canada

"The three weeks I spent at WHU for the Bachelor European Summer Program, living in Vallendar and having the opportunity to visit the city of Koblenz was amazing. The company visits were super interesting and gave us a real inside look at how businesses operate here. What I also really appreciated was learning from different professors, as each one brought their own perspective, which made the classes even more engaging and diverse. I’d definitely recommend this program to anyone looking for an incredible international experience!"

Kareena Arya

Western University

Canada

"My experience at the WHU Bachelor European Summer Program 2025 was an eye-opening one where we learned about the business, political, and cultural landscape in Europe. The lessons were thoughtfully taught by experienced professors, and the daytrips to companies in Frankfurt or castles like Burg Eltz added a lot of fun to our weeks. I wholeheartedly recommend this program to any student interested in taking a well-rounded and insightful business course in Germany."

Christopher Stevenson

University of Strathclyde

"The Bachelor European Summer Program at WHU is one of the best experiences I have ever had. Being able to learn about markets and different cultures surrounding a subject I am so passionate about has really helped my understanding and opened my eyes to what is really going on in the rest of Europe. It has also given me the opportunity to meet some great people and bond over passions and interests that we share. The course is run fantastically with what is taught in the classroom and what is learned on the company visits. I would highly recommend this to anyone thinking about taking part as it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and you will cherish every moment of it."

Lauren Johanntoberns

University of Kansas

USA

"Studying abroad at WHU was an amazing experience. The classes were insightful about Europe, and the professors made learning fun and engaging. I got to meet students from all over the world, which helped me see things from different perspectives.
One of the best parts of the program was visiting real companies. It was exciting to hear from professionals about how businesses work and how they solve problems. Seeing things firsthand made everything we learned in class feel more real.
Outside of school, I enjoyed exploring the local area and getting to know the culture. The friendships I made will definitely last a lifetime. This experience helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I’m so glad I had the chance to study at WHU."

1/9

Frequently Asked Questions –
Quick facts about the program

1 Do I need to apply for a visa to join the program?

Depending on your nationality, you might need a visa to be able to enter Germany. You have to apply for the visa in your home country (or country of residence) - visas are never issued in Germany! Please contact or visit the website of your local German Consulate/Embassy to determine if a visa is required, making sure you make the appropriate visa arrangements well in advance of the program start. Some nationalities, such as Americans, Canadians, and Australians, in possession of a valid passport, do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. The passport must not expire before the end of the scheduled trip. You can find further information regarding visas here.

2 When do I receive the schedule?

Sample schedules are available online and will be updated on a regular basis. Please note that the online schedules are preliminary and subject to change. You will receive the final schedule shortly before the start of the program.

3 Is there an airport pick-up organized for my arrival?

An airport pick-up is organized for you on Sunday, May 24, 2026:

Where: Frankfurt Airport, Meeting Point Terminal 1
When: Sunday between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Please book your flights accordingly and inform the program coordinator Kristina Schwanitz about your arrival schedule as soon as possible. Please note that if you are unable to schedule a flight to arrive in time for the pick-up, or your arrival is delayed, you will be responsible for arranging your own transportation to WHU.

Additionally, an airport drop-off is also organized for you in the morning of Saturday June 13, 2026 after the end of the program. The exact time and meeting point will be announced in due time.

4 Is there a dress code for the program?

The general rule is smart casual for classes and business casual for company visits and events.

5 Should I bring my laptop?

You will have full access to our computer facilities. However, we strongly recommend that you also bring your own laptop.

6 When will I get the course material?

Before your arrival, you will be asked to prepare for the program using pre-readings which you will find on the online platform. Please make sure to check your email account regularly in order not to miss any updates.

7 Can I get a refund of the program fees if I drop out?

The deadline for payment is April 15, 2026. The base fee cannot be refunded.

If you have a legitimate reason for cancelling your participation we can, under certain circumstances, offer a 75% refund if you inform us of your withdrawal by May 15, 2026. If you inform us after this date but before the program start, we may reimburse up to 50% of the tuition fee. Once the program has started, no refunds are possible.

Get in touch -

We're looking forward to hearing from you!

We are happy to answer all questions you might have about the program in general, or regarding its content or organization. Please also contact us if you wish to get in touch with previous participants in order to receive insight into their experiences.

Contact