Finance and Economics in the Global Economy: Views from Spain

This study abroad program combines a course in economics or finance in the global economy with field experience in Madrid and Leon, Spain. This program will provide you, the students, with a great opportunity to expand your global perspective regarding the origins of global trade, international finance, and the origins of money. You will be required to attend lectures and excursions to learn about the history of coinage in Europe, the long-lasting impacts of business, and the differences in modern cybersecurity impacts of Spain and the US.

This study abroad program is taught by Dr. Margo Bergman and co-led by Annemarie Martin from UW Tacoma.

Academic Content

This program does not have any language requirements; however knowledge of Spanish is helpful. Prerequisites are as follows:

• For TFIN 440 International Finance- TBUS 301 and TBUS 350 
• For TBGEN 468 International Business Field Experience: International Economics - TBECON 220 and 221 or equivalent. 

Students receive five credits for the program. They may choose to receive credit for one of the two courses below: 

TFIN 440: International Finance OR TBGEN 468: International Business Field Experience- International Economics (5 credits)

This course is designed to give UW students an understanding of how firms operate in a global economy, from the perspective of international finance. This course will be taught in a hybrid format. The face-to-face portion will take place in Spain, and the remaining portions of the course will be delivered online in autumn quarter.

Learning Goals Include:

• Explore the structures of the global financial marketplace

• Study the history of the international monetary system

• Understand the theories of international finance and their applications

• Compare and contrast the financing of multinational firms in the US and Spain

Program Schedule

The program runs from September 6 - 23, 2022. Beginning in Madrid students will participate in introductory lectures on Spanish culture and international economics, and visit the Mint Museum. After traveling to Leon, students will attend lectures at the UW Leon Center, tour the city and visit Las Medulas, a Roman gold mine and UNESCO world heritage cite. Upon returning to campus, students will be required to complete required online coursework during autumn quarter. 

Housing and Food

While in Leon, students will live with local host families who may not be fluent in English. Host families will help students immerse themselves in Spanish culture and will also provide 3 meals a day for students. While in Madrid students will be lodged in hotels and will pay for their own meals. 

Student Eligibility

The course work and credits for this program are for sophomore, junior and senior students. Prerequisites are as follows: 

• For TFIN 440 International Finance- TBUS 301 and TBUS 350 
• For TBGEN 468 International Business Field Experience: International Economics - TBECON 220 and 221 or equivalent. 

Application Deadline

Applications are due on March 15, 2022. Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions by March 1, 2022. Once accepted to the program, applicants will need to confirm their participation in the program by March 15, 2022.

Travel Documents and Insurance

All program participants must have a valid passport in order to travel to Europe.

Visas

No visa or other paperwork is required for U.S. citizens. For international students, the Office of Global Affairs is not responsible for obtaining visas for your travel. You can research visa requirements by calling the consular offices of countries to where you will be travelling or visiting the following website: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html. 

The cost and requirements for obtaining visas vary. It is your responsibility to determine visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad including countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. This is an especially important consideration if you are planning to do more than one study abroad program.

Insurance

The University of Washington requires students engaged in educational activities abroad – including study, research, internships or community engagement – to purchase UW Student Abroad Insurance. If you are a current UW student, you are required to purchase coverage UW Student Abroad Insurance. Details are on the UW Study Abroad Insurance page.

Program Cost

The program fee is $3,175

Included in the cost of the program:

• $450 Administrative Fee
• Instruction
• Home stay (including 3 meals a day) in Leon, Spain and lodging (double occupancy) in Madrid, Spain
• Museum entry and guide service fees
• In-country transportation
• Welcome and closing dinner

Not included:

• Airfare
• Meals (except as listed above)
• UW Student Abroad Insurance
• Transportation to and from the airport
• Personal expenses (phone calls, eating out, etc.)
• Textbooks

Payment Due Date: October 14th, 2022

Program fees will be posted to your MyUW student account and can be paid the same way that you pay tuition and other fees. Check your MyUW Account periodically for due dates.

Withdrawals

The $450 UW Study Abroad Administrative Fees are non-refundable once a contract has been submitted. Students withdrawing from a program are responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. No part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun (please refer to Emergency Withdrawal information below, if applicable). The date of withdrawal is considered the business day a withdrawal form is received by the Office of Global Affairs. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:

Please email uwtintl@uw.edu and copy your program director(s) providing notice that you will no longer be participating in the program. You will also need to respond to any further communication from the Office of Global Affairs to finalize your withdrawal.

We continue to monitor the situation and will provide ongoing updates. If the UW Tacoma Office of Global Affairs cancels your program due to COVID-19, you will not be charged any study abroad program fees or administrative fees under the control of our office.

Emergency Withdrawal

If you cannot participate in a study abroad program, you may submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition. If granted, the Emergency Withdrawal may allow for partial relief from your financial obligations to the program.

An Emergency Withdrawal Petition may be submitted in the following circumstances:

• Unanticipated change in financial situation
• Medical emergency
• Death in immediate family
• Active military duty
• Unusual or extenuating circumstances

To submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition, complete this form and email it to uwtintl@uw.edu.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

• A large percentage of UW students utilize financial aid to study abroad. Most types of financial aid can be applied to study abroad fees.
• For UW Tacoma students, you can submit a revision request to increase the amount of aid for the quarter you are studying abroad. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans. To apply, fill out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the UW Tacoma Office of Financial Aid. 
• For UW Seattle or Bothell Students, you can apply by filling out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the Office of Financial Aid. 
• Consult the Financial Aid section of the UW Study Abroad website for more information on applying for financial aid, special considerations for summer and early fall programs, and budgeting and fundraising tips
• Please also review this list of scholarships: these are opportunities that can help fund your study abroad experience. Please note that many of them have deadlines before your study abroad application is due. For help with the application process, please contact uwtintl@uw.edu.

Budgeting Tools

We understand that figuring out your finances for study abroad can be complicated, and we are here to help. Here are some ways to find additional support:

• Click on the Budget Sheets link at the top of this brochure to view the estimated budget of all expenses for this program.
• UW Tacoma students can attend a How to Fund Your Study Abroad event - more information is on the Events page of our website.

Changes in Cost or Scope of Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

Orientation

To be eligible to study abroad, all program participants must attend an online pre-departure orientation facilitated by the Office of Global Affairs as well as your program-specific orientations, offered by your program directors. Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad.

Program Cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by April 15, 2022 the program will be cancelled. Participants will be notified and the administrative and program fees will be refunded.

Disability Accommodations

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and education for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation for this program, contact Disability Resources for Students at least 8 weeks in advance of your departure date. Contact info at tacoma.uw.edu/drs.