WHU
Duration:
3 Weeks
Academic hours
65
contact hours of a cultural program
20
Location
Vallendar
Language
English
The Business, Political, and Cultural Environment in Europe

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 26 to June 14, 2024

The academic modules of the program typically include:

  1. Trade Integration in Europe and the European Union
  2. Monetary Integration in Europe: The Euro as Europe’s Common Currency
  3. Competing in European Markets
  4. Operations Management in Europe: Embracing Sustainability
  5. Business Environment and Strategies of Foreign Direct Investors in Central and Eastern Europe
  6. European Aspects of Marketing
  7. Aspects of Cultural Competence in Europe
  8. German History
  9. 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:

Professor Michael Frenkel
Professor Michael Frenkel
Apl. Professor Tim Brexendorf
Apl. Professor Tim Brexendorf
Professor Sonia Ferencikova
Professor Sonia Ferencikova
Assistant Professor Julia de Groote
Assistant Professor Julia de Groote
Professor Nic Schaub
Professor Nic Schaub
Professor Stefan Spinler
Professor Stefan Spinler
Assistant Professor Barbara Stage
Assistant Professor Barbara Stage

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

Apply before March 29, 2024 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

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

1/6
Olivia Bowden
Nottingham Trent University
UK
"The WHU Bachelor European Summer School Programme was fantastic! Very insightful, full of great company visits, inclusive of Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt, Westerwald-Brauerei, and Amazon DE CGN1. Through a well structured and organised programme our time was maximised with excellent cultural trips, packed with very educational business related content. Several opportunities for further travelling, allowing personal development, networking, and making international connections from across the globe. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at WHU and would recommend the opportunity to anyone
looking to broaden their horizons."
Martin Toritsyn
York University
Canada
"WHU provided me with an international learning opportunity unlike anything I’ve experienced back home in Toronto, and it was a pleasure to attend. The cultural opportunities presented were very enriching, along with the course material itself, and I learned a lot about German/European business and culture in my time there. From visiting the former capital of West Germany, Bonn, to large fi nancial centers in Frankfurt, I miss WHUand the friends I made there with each passing day. I would absolutely recommend this program to anyone interested!"
Anna Sonntag
University of Manitoba
Canada
"WHU’s Bachelor European Summer Program was an unforgettable experience. The program was perfectly organized and included a diverse range of learning opportunities, such as engaging lectures, company visits, and tours of German towns and cities. I found it to be the perfect balance of in-class learning and sightseeing. The program broadened my understanding of the European business environment, and I feel so fortunate to have been part of this wonderful program."
Abdul Fattah Salleh
National University of Singapore
Singapore
"Spending my summer in Germany enrolled in WHU's European Summer Program is easily one of the highlights of my undergraduate studies! Through the program, I got to learn more about the business environment in Europe, as well as explored numerous sites that exposed me to cultural and historical aspects in Germany. I also met many great friends from diverse backgrounds who made the three weeks in Vallendar an unforgettable experience! I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who seeks to gain insights on cultural and social aspects of Germany."
Katja Wagner
Wake Forest University
USA
"The Bachelor European Summer program was absolutely the highlight of my summer. Not only was the program very well organized and structured in terms of academics, but I also met some fantastic people from around the world that I am still in contact with. The classes, company visits, and local tours provided me with new skills and an appreciation for European culture and history. I would highly recommend to anyone interested!"
Bianca Desai
Indiana University
USA
"Studying abroad at WHU was an experience like no other. For those signing up for the 3-week summer experience, beware - you may feel that 3 weeks was too short of a visit by the end! From enjoying local ice cream cafes in between classes with my classmates to visiting a Mustard museum in a nearby city, I miss every second of my time studying abroad in Vallendar.

Each day was different than the one before and we had blocks of exploration, guided tours, and company visits integrated into the curriculum. The lectures were led by passionate, expert professionals. As a student interested in marketing, I was happy to experience the hands-on days that allowed us to apply our classroom knowledge about branding to the establishments around us in Vallendar. I would highly recommend this program!"
1/6

Frequently Asked Questions –
Quick facts about 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.

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.

An airport pick-up is organized for you on Sunday, May 26, 2024:

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 15, 2024 after the end of the program. The exact time and meeting point will be announced in due time.

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

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

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.

The deadline for payment is March 15, 2024. 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, 2024.  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.

WHU