It has been a while since our last post but it is time to turn the spotlight on KEDGE Business School, one of our partner universities in France. Two years ago, I traveled to the campus in Marseille and can honestly say that it was the highlight of my Goodman Experience.

Why France?

France is a perfect country to visit if you are looking to gain international exposure and cultivate a resume-building experience. As a member country of the European Union, you have the opportunity to learn how business is conducted in the European environment and gain exposure to new business practices.

There is a good reason why France is the most popular travel destination in the world. In addition to iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and The Louvre, France boasts a rich culture unlike any other country. You can begin your day with a fresh breakfast at a small, family-owned bakery before heading out to explore the beautiful countryside, and end the night with some French cuisine paired with locally-made wine.

The Louvre

If you would like to learn a new language, you have the chance to immerse yourself in French but it is entirely possible to get by with solely English as well.

Why KEDGE?

KEDGE Business School is one of the most reputable business schools in the country. Goodman students have the option of studying in campuses in either Marseille or Bordeaux. KEDGE offers a wide variety of courses taught in English that you would not be able to find at Brock.

Marseille

View from Palais Longchamp

Marseille is the second-largest city in France and was founded over 2,500 years ago. It has a rich history with numerous cultural influences. Featuring a stunning port, old basilicas and beautiful architecture, the city will continue to captivate you with its blend of European and Mediterranean culture.

The campus and international residence are located within the Calanques National Park which offers incredible hiking trails with beautiful natural views. It holds a fully digital library known as ‘the hub’ within its modern campus.

Bordeaux

Kedge Bordeaux Campus

The history of Bordeaux goes back thousands of years. With beautiful architecture and a fresh culture, this city is a great way to experience France. Bordeaux is famous for its wine production around the world. Visiting this location provides the chance to gain insight into viticulture from global experts.

The campus is located a 20 minute tram ride from the city and is designed to make you feel at home. Bordeaux is conveniently located within three hours of both Paris and Spain and approximately 40 minutes from the Atlantic beaches. Located along a river, it is a great city to explore by walking and jogging and also includes a great shopping area.

Learn more:

If you are ready to take your education to the next level and want to learn more about KEDGE or any of your other options, you can visit the Goodman International Exchange Office at GSB 475R during walk in hours from 2 to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday or contact us by email at business.exchange@brocku.ca

Why Italy?

Italy sits at the bottom of Europe surrounded by the warm waters of the Mediterranean. Home to Rome, Vatican City, and Venice, Italy is rich with history and culture. Travel the streets of these cities and you will find many of the world’s most iconic landmarks. Centuries of architects have produced the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum and St. Peter’s Basilica. Be sure to also take in the magnificent ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and the tiled pools of Pompeii. Of course, you cannot go to Italy without experiencing some of the best food in the world. Famous for creating pizza, lasagna and gelato, you will need four months to sample the culinary creations of the Italians.

Canals in Venice, Italy - Source: trvl.com

Like most of Europe, Italy’s national currency is the Euro. Travelling throughout the country is affordable and easy with the extensive train network linking major cities and small towns. Several of these lines have high speed trains that reach speeds of up to 360 kilometers per hour. This makes seeing the whole country a breeze. For students who have read about The Renaissance and ancient civilizations in their Classics courses, Italy is the perfect place to bring those books to life.

What Schools?

With four Italian partners schools, you have a lot of choice when it comes to where to study.

Free University of Bozen-Bolzano

Located in Bolzano in the northern part of Italy, Bozen-Bolzano is just under two hours away from Switzerland and Austria. It is ideal for ski and snowboard enthusiasts as the Italian Alps surround this region. Bolzano is a picturesque city that was ranked as having the Best Quality of Life in Italy in 2014. The school prides itself in being an international hub with students and faculty who come from all over the world to take part in Bolzano’s acclaimed trilingual programs.

University of Torino, Faculty of Business and Economics

The University of Torino in Turin is also in the Alps and was home to the 2006 Winter Olympics. Close to both the France border and the fashion capital, Milan, Turin provides access to some fascinating places. This large city of 900,000 has everything you need for a full Italian experience. From food to architecture, you’ll find it in Turin.

LUISS Guido Carli

Want to see Rome? How about living there instead? LUISS Guido Carli is in the middle of this ancient city and is close to many cultural sites. With just over 1,500 students, LUISS offers an intimate experience for those looking for a smaller university. LUISS makes it easy for students to get around. By using your student card, you will have access to electric cars, bikes, and scooters. You cannot have a more Italian experience than riding through the streets of Rome on a scooter!

LUISS Guido Carli University in Rome, Italy - Source: LUISS Guido Carli University

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC)

Cattolica is one of Goodman’s newest partner schools and is located across several campuses. As a business student, you would be living in Piacenza, a medieval town located in the culinary heartland of Italy. Proud of its reputation, Cattolica is among the top 150 business schools in the world. Just 30 minutes from Milan, Piacenza offers more than enough to do on an exchange, but the nearby airport also provides you access to the rest of Europe.

Contributed by: BBA student Royden Thomson

Today’s Travel Tuesday blog features the Grenoble École de Management in Grenoble, France.

Why Grenoble?

Grenoble École de Management is a smaller, private university that has emerged as a top player in the ranks of European business schools. Goodman undergraduates learn alongside other students from over 133 countries in English taught classes. Grenoble prides itself on making Corporate Social Responsibility a focal point in all its programs and has received triple accreditation.

The university is located in Grenoble, a city of just over 150,000 situated in the southern region of France. It is surrounded by several mountains and is a hub for skiing and snowboarding. Grenoble is well connected to Paris, Geneva, and other major cities through Europe’s extensive rail network.

The Grenoble École de Management is ideal for you if you are interested in experiencing French life on a smaller scale while still having access to some of the world’s best-known travel destinations.

Grenoble École de Management. Source: Wikipedia

Why France?

France sits on the westernmost part of Europe and is renowned for its wine, food, and high fashion. It is unique geographically in that it has coastlines on both the warm Mediterranean Sea and the cold North Atlantic. Travelers can bask in the sun on its southern beaches or pause for reflection at Dunkirk in the north. Its national icon, the Eiffel Tower, sits in the center of Paris and is just over three hours away from Grenoble. For those interested in art, France boasts world famous museums, like The Louvre, and stunning gothic architecture.

Fun Fact: France is the world’s most popular travel destination.

Cable cars begin their ascent to one of the many mountains surrounding Grenoble – Source: GoodFreePhotos.com

As the largest country in the European Union, France shares its borders Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. Think of it as your gateway to Europe. Travelling within and outside of France is simplified with the common use of the Euro and affordable transportation options. Despite being a French-speaking country, the majority of citizens also speak English. Students hoping to brush up on their French skills while experiencing a very rich culture will find that France has everything they need.

If you are ready to get travelling, complete the International Exchange Program Application. Remember, the deadline is January 15, 2018 to be eligible for an exchange in Fall 2018. If you have any questions, be sure stop by the Goodman Exchange Office in Taro 368 during our drop-in hours from 2 to 4 p.m. You can also contract us at business.exchange@brocku.ca.

We hope to see your application soon!

Contributed by: BBA student Royden Thomson

Sources: Expatica

Today’s Travel Tuesday blog features the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management in Brussels, Belgium.

Why Solvay?

Located in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium, the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management is the business school of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB). As the only Belgian university that includes international exchanges in program plans, the school is well connected with over 110 global partners. For those who prefer a smaller, more relaxed city, Brussels’ population of only 178,000 offers a more intimate experience. Solvay itself is only slightly larger than the Goodman School of Business. However, being small does not mean the city lacks things to see and do. Home to both the NATO and UN headquarters, Brussels is Europe’s central power hub that combines the cultures of many countries. When you are not in awe of the city’s rich architectural history, including the Grand Place (considered among Europe’s most beautiful medieval squares), retreat to one of its many greens spaces. Solvay sits near Bois de la Cambre, one of the largest parks in Brussels with winding pathways, open fields, and even a boat pond. Traveling off campus is easy with an extensive tram network the connects you with the rest of Brussels.

Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management - Source: ULB

Why Belgium?

Belgium is nestled near the top of mainland Europe with a coastline along the North Sea. Perhaps most famous for chocolate, waffles, and beer, Belgium cuisine caters to most tastes. Like most of Europe, the Euro is the official currency and its wide acceptance makes cross-border travel easy. Interested in improving your French? With French, Dutch, and German as the official languages of Belgium, there is a lot of opportunity to learn something new. Rest assured, English-only speakers will have no trouble communicating with locals, as English is the common unifying language.

Grand Place, Brussels - Source: Wikipedia

If you want a full European experience, you’ll find that Belgium offers a great mix of cultures. Sharing borders with France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg mean that multi-country travel is within reach. With one international airport and three major train stations, Brussels allows all travellers to the freedom to access some of the most iconic cities. Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, and even London are all within two hours and planning weekend getaways is simple. With so many options, the hardest thing about your exchange to Solvay will be deciding on where you will go.

Contributed by: BBA student Royden Thomson

Today marks the return of our Travel Tuesday blog, where we feature one of our partner schools from around the globe. This week, we look at Strathclyde Business School in Glasgow, Scotland.

Strathclyde Business School in Glasgow, Scotland

Why Strathclyde?

Strathclyde Business School is part of the University of Strathclyde and is regularly recognized for its academic standing, having recently been awarded Business School of the Year by Times Higher Education in 2016.

Located in the centre of Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, Strathclyde is close to many cultural sites and transit hubs. The Glasgow Cathedral, easily recognized for its towering steeple, was built in 1197 and is just up the street from the university. The central train and bus station is a few minutes away and provides fast and affordable connections to the rest of the United Kingdom.

On campus, Strathclyde offers accommodation for international students and unique classes that will complement any business degree. It also offers a variety of student sports clubs offering some unconventional activities, including skydiving and white-water kayaking.

Why Scotland?

Scotland is the northernmost country of the United Kingdom and shares its border with England. Known for the beauty of its rugged highlands and calm lochs, Scotland offers travelers the opportunity to find tranquility. While famous for its rainy weather, temperatures remain mild and allow for year-round outdoor activities.

For a more cultural experience, the nation’s capital, Edinburgh, is less than an hour away from Glasgow. The city is home to centuries of history and many of Scotland’s historical landmarks. If your plan your exchange for the fall semester, it is worth arriving a few weeks early and taking in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It’s the world’s largest art festival and features over 50,000 performances in 25 days.

Fun Fact: The earliest recorded sighting of the Loch Ness Monster was in 565 AD.

View of Loch Lomond from atop Ben Lomond

Scotland is well connected to the rest of England by bus or train and flights to Ireland are inexpensive, especially if purchased early. Travel to the rest of Europe is also relatively affordable and most flights are under three hours. The national currency is the British Pound and can be used throughout the UK. For those looking to experience everything the UK has to offer, Strathclyde provides the perfect launchpad for your adventures.

If you are ready to get travelling, go ahead and fill out the International Exchange Program Application. Remember, the early bird deadline is January 15, 2018 to be eligible for an exchange in Fall 2018.

Questions? Stop by the Goodman Exchange Office in Taro 368 during drop-in hours (daily from 2 – 4 p.m). You can also contact business.exchange@brocku.ca.

Contributed by: Royden Thomson