About
Background
Europe is ahead of the U.S. in terms of environmental policy, has an increasingly strong currency and robust economy, especially since the advent of the EU. In addition to insights on this topic, the trip to Germany and Switzerland will investigate how these countries are dealing with the rise of the Asian economies and globalization, competing on both international and local markets.
Culture & History
Switzerland, a tiny land-locked country and a country lacking in natural resources such as oil, is still a very prosperous one. Switzerland’s GDP was estimated at US$419 billion in 2007 with one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. Switzerland’s prosperity is based on labor skills and technological expertise in manufacturing, as well as earnings from services such as tourism and banking. Mercer Consulting continues to place Zurich and Geneva, top on its list of best cities in the world in which to live based on the quality of life.
How does Switzerland manage to have it all? The company visits in Switzerland represent a good cross section of the top industries in Switzerland, helping answer this question. In Zurich, students will be able to experience first-hand what makes Switzerland so successful in diverse industries such as banking, tourism, manufacturing, and hospitality.
Germany’s Bavarian region is rich with history, culture, and business. Martin Luther started the reformation in Germany, the famous, annual “Oktoberfest” celebration draws countless beer-loving sojourners from all over the world, and renowned companies such as Lufthansa, BMW, Daimler, and Deutsche Bank are headquartered in Germany. Germany remains one of the top producing countries, with a GDP of US $3,833 billion, one of the highest behind the U.S. and Japan. Currently, Germany is the world leader in solar energy generation and interestingly has a climate very similar to that of Seattle.
Company visits in Germany represent various industries, including technology, manufacturing, and hospitality. Company visits will provide students with the opportunity to learn more about a German perspective on business on a local, EU, and global level. Cultural visits will expose students to both good and bad times in German history, including the dubious Castle Neuschwanstein, the ominous Dachau memorial, the light-hearted celebration of beer and German cuisine at the Hofbrauhaus, the modern, progressive people who make Munich an exciting city, and a venture into the local Bavarian Alps where Bavarian tradition still can be found.
