Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania

Madrid trip gives Commonwealth University international business majors a front row seat to global markets and culture

PA (08/11/2026) — A group of 13 Commonwealth University international business majors recently returned from nine days in Madrid, which became the backdrop for a study abroad experience that merged business meetings with museum visits, and lectures with late-night conversations in bustling plazas.

Led by Lam Nguyen, professor and chair of the Department of Management, the summer trip invited students to see how global business really works - on the ground, in real time and across borders.

From the outset, Nguyen made one thing clear. This wasn't a sightseeing tour.

A visit to Herrero & Asociados, a premier intellectual property law firm, gave students a rare window into how ideas are protected and monetized in a knowledge-based global economy. They listened as professionals explained how intellectual property strategy shapes international competition and why trademarks and patents matter as much as products.

"This trip along with the international business program has prepared me for my future career by giving me a broader perspective on global markets and business operations, strengthening my communication skills and understanding people from a diverse background," said Alexis Budline, a senior international business major at CU-Bloomsburg from Hellertown.

Another stop brought the group to Sheffield Academy, where the focus shifted to international education and cross-cultural learning. Here, according to Nguyen, students discussed the growing demand for global competencies and how study abroad experiences can set candidates apart in an increasingly interconnected job market.

"This experience is one of the most important for me because I got real-world experience and understand how different cultural communication and different ways of thinking affect business," said Leydi Mueses Uillian, a junior international business major at CU-Bloomsburg from Hazleton. "I'm really grateful for this opportunity, and I hope that future students can experience something like this."

A tour of HM Hospitales, one of Spain's leading private healthcare systems, showcased another side of international business. Walking through a modern medical facility, Nguyen said students explored how healthcare organizations use innovation, technology and patient-centered strategies to compete in a crowded marketplace. The visit underscored that global business isn't just about finance or trade; it touches industries that impact lives every day.

"I had an amazing opportunity where I could visit a hospital, law firm and learn about different business practices around the world," said Tatiana Beckworth, a senior international business major at CU-Bloomsburg from Tamiment who said the trip was a "dream come true."

In between company visits, Nguyen said students joined a "Madrid as a Global Business Hub" academic session that dug into the city's strategic role in international trade, entrepreneurship and investment. They explored how Madrid connects Europe with Latin America and why its location, infrastructure and talent pool make it a magnet for global firms.

According to Nguyen, a collaborative business case that focused on the online marketplace Letgo challenged them to apply what they'd learned, sharpening their analytical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving skills in a truly international context.

"The study abroad trip has allowed me to understand the nature of how people from different countries work together," said Emma Holmes, a junior international business major at CU-Bloomsburg from Mount Wolf. "This trip has shown me that international business is not just market trade or company operation. It's about understanding differences and adapting to how people work together."

It's exactly the kind of realization Nguyen hopes students will reach.

"Some lessons can only be learned by experiencing the world," Nguyen said. "Faculty-led study abroad programs like this one create learning experiences that cannot be replicated in a traditional classroom. By interacting with international professionals, navigating new cultural environments and engaging with peers throughout the journey, students develop the global competencies increasingly sought by employers across every industry."

Outside corporate offices and classroom-style sessions, Madrid's streets became a living textbook. Students stood in the bustle of Puerta del Sol, wandered the historic arches of Plaza Mayor and looked out over the city from Plaza de Espana and the grounds of the Royal Palace.

Each site layered historical context onto their understanding of modern Spain.

At the Museo Reina Sofia, home to world-famous works of art, they confronted the intersection of history, politics and creativity. A guided visit to the Spanish Congress connected their management and international business courses to real-world governance, offering a tangible look at how political institutions shape economic policy.

"It was a journey, an experience I'll never forget," said Daytona Walter, a senior international business major at CU-Bloomsburg from Mifflinburg. "If you really want to learn something, you have to put yourself in the experience of doing that thing every day."

"Having an international business degree and being put into that environment made me understand it better, made me want to pursue it even more," Walter added. "Anybody who is doing international business or the like should go on the trip. It was just amazing."

As Commonwealth University continues to expand opportunities for global engagement, programs like the Madrid faculty-led study abroad experience demonstrate the university's commitment to preparing students to lead in an increasingly interconnected world.

"Through experiential learning, meaningful international partnerships and immersive cultural experiences, students return home not only with unforgettable memories, but with broader perspectives, stronger professional skills, and the confidence to thrive as future global leaders, Nguyen said."

Students who participated in the trip included: