Nearly 50 students from Stephen F. Austin State University’s Nelson Rusche College of Business participated in an intensive, faculty-led study abroad program in Spain and Portugal May 10-21. Pictured is their tour of Toledo, Spain.
June 3, 2026 - Nearly 50 students from Stephen F. Austin State University’s Nelson Rusche College of Business participated in an intensive, faculty-led study abroad program in Spain and Portugal May 10-21.
Led by Dr. Matthew Lindsey, chair of the Department of Management and Marketing, and Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev, chair of the Department of Economics and Finance, the experiential learning trip bridged classroom business theory with real-world international operations across the Iberian Peninsula.
“Programs like this are vital because they push our students to apply academic frameworks in entirely unfamiliar environments,” Lindsey said. “Watching them move past their comfort zones to engage directly with global executives and evaluate complex, historic business models is incredibly fulfilling. They return to Nacogdoches with an elevated level of self-reliance and a global mindset that will give them a distinct competitive edge in the job market.”
The journey took students from the grand boulevards of Madrid and the sandstone streets of Salamanca to the historic coastal hubs of Porto and Lisbon. Throughout the tour, students engaged in a rigorous itinerary that combined high-level corporate site visits, historic trade exploration and hands-on cultural immersion workshops.
Students received an exclusive guided facility tour and participated in a mentorship session at the Amazon España corporate headquarters in Madrid with SFA alumna Ana Romero ’16, who works at the international corporate center.
“With the Amazon visit, it was very motivating to see what your corporate life can look like if you really apply yourself in college and in the early years of your career,” said Gavin Bock, sophomore management major from Wimberley. “It was cool seeing how an SFA alumna was able to be successful.”
Ashley Hale, senior finance major from Orange, noted how the corporate encounter reshaped her career ambitions.
“We had the opportunity to speak with a former SFA student who now works at Amazon in Madrid, and hearing her experiences was very inspiring,” she said. “It was motivating to see someone from our university successfully working internationally and adapting to a global business environment. Personally and professionally, this trip encouraged me to think more globally about my future.”
In addition to modern e-commerce giants, the curriculum emphasized how historic firms leverage heritage as a competitive advantage. Academic site visits included a production and curing analysis at the Tienda Julián Martín Iberian ham factory in Guijuelo, a deep dive into centuries-old bilateral trade agreements at the Burmester winery in Vila Nova de Gaia, and a study of traditional, quality-driven manufacturing at the centennial Conservas Pinhais & Cia sardine cannery in Matosinhos.
The structural contrast between fast-paced American commercialism and the deeply relational, intentional Iberian business paradigm challenged students to shift their perspectives on global management.
“Before this trip, most of my understanding of international business came from textbooks and classroom discussions,” said Colby Feece, senior management major from Sachse. “Actually experiencing it in person gave me a much clearer perspective. The trip helped me realize that successful business internationally is not only about numbers or efficiency but also about understanding cultural expectations and communication styles. In many European markets, tradition and authenticity can be just as important as efficiency and scale.”
The profound personal growth that stems from navigating international environments was a recurring theme among the participants, many of whom were traveling outside the United States for the first time. From analyzing tile painting at the historic Fábrica Sant'Anna in Lisbon to navigating complex metropolitan transit systems, the trip served as a laboratory for building professional agility.
“Seeing businesses and institutions in Spain and Portugal showed me that business is global,” said Travis Gilliland, junior entrepreneurship major from Spring. “Personally, I learned that I can handle being outside my comfort zone better than I thought. Professionally, I learned that I need to think bigger. To be successful internationally, I would need to listen first, learn the culture and adapt my strategy instead of assuming the American way is always best.”
By directly connecting East Texas students with global markets and thriving alumni abroad, the Rusche College of Business continues to fulfill its mission of creating world-ready professionals.
“Overall, this study abroad experience gave me memories and lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” said Makenna Burkhalter, senior international business major from Rusk. “I loved sharing this experience with such a great group of people, and it made me proud to be a Lumberjack.”
For more information on upcoming study abroad opportunities and global business programs at SFA, visit sfasu.edu/business.
Cutline: Nearly 50 students from Stephen F. Austin State University’s Nelson Rusche College of Business participated in an intensive, faculty-led study abroad program in Spain and Portugal May 10-21. Pictured is their tour of Toledo, Spain.
