Utrecht, Netherlands

The Essence of Business Models & International Business

This track offers two different yet complementing approaches to the world of business from a European perspective. First, you will be introduced to the European Union and its historical, social, and economic developments as well as its future challenges. Next, we will widen our view and look at the European Union as a business network. You will discuss the economic future of Europe, take on exciting case studies and visit Milan where you will be immersed in the Italian culture and economy. In the end, you will have gained multiple new insights into the practice of doing business in Europe!

Doing Business in Europe logo
The first two weeks of this course focus on Europe as a political and economic entity on the global stage. Through a series of lectures by key experts in their field you will deepen your understanding of this very interesting assembly of nations that has played such an important role in shaping the world, while at the same time, still seems to be struggling with its position both internally and externally. Students will study Europe’s history, developments in societal aspects and focus on the impact these have had economically.

The next three weeks you will focus on Europe as a place to do business. Especially, looking at the European Union as a business network and ecosystem. Next to lectures, you will work on several interesting case studies and take part in an exciting two-day simulation. In this simulation, you will act as representatives of the European Parliament who are working on improving the economic future of Europe.

In the fourth week you will work on trends and business in the fashion and design industry. This part of the course takes you the fashion capital of Europe: Milan!. Here, you will be immersed in the Italian culture and economy and work on a contemporary and relevant case study.

In the last week, you will travel back to the Netherlands and study another and perhaps contrasting perspective of an industry specific to the Dutch situation. What are its trends and how does it compare to the trends and business in the fasion and design industry? At the end of these five weeks, you will have gained multiple new insights into the practice of doing business in Europe!

Course leader

Jelly J. Offereins, MA

Target group

This course is open to bachelor and master students in the field of business, marketing and finance, and to those students who have some background and/or a strong interest in these disciplines and economic topics in the EU.

Fee info

EUR 2699: Course fee (students)
EUR 850: Due to the arrangements that need to be made for your stay in Italy, housing for this course is mandatory.