Exchange program between TBS Education and Porto Business school

Over the past three weeks, students from the MSc International Business program at TBS Education – Barcelona and students from the Executive Master’s program at Porto Business School participated in an exchange program between the two schools.  During this experience, the students had the opportunity to discover and enjoy both cities’ academic and cultural atmosphere in a valuable networking exercise, thanks to the collaboration between the two institutions and the adaptation to the specific needs of each program.

At both TBS Education – Barcelona and Porto Business School, students not only took part in specific masterclasses and networking sessions but were also invited to participate in cultural activities that further enriched their experience.

The first to embark on this study trip was the group from Barcelona

TBS Education – Barcelona students participated in two high-quality academic programs: one on geopolitical foresight, analysing the current landscape and imagining business strategies for 2040, by Professor Jorge Rodrigues, and another on cultural differences in international business, by Professor Pedro A. Vieira .

During their stay, they also visited the valantic SAP Services facilities, where they observed how digital innovation aligns with internationalisation strategies. They also visited the Casa da Cerveja of the Portuguese brewery Super Bock Group, exploring how a local brand can become a global product.

Also, as a part of the cultural program, the students visit the city of Porto with a tour through the Douro River, passing under its seven iconic bridges and enjoying a breathtaking sunset.

Later, the students of Porto Business School arrived in Spain

Students from the Portuguese business school, at TBS Education – Barcelona, ​​attended an engaging class by Júlia Farré on the challenges and insights of the Spanish economy, as well as a practical masterclass on international expansion, focused on the American market, taught by Lourdes Cuevas.

Just like the TBS Education – Barcelona Students, the students from Oporto visited the SAP facilities, providing an exemplary case study on how a multinational company successfully integrates into different markets. They also visited the Estrella Damm brewery, where they learned about the production process, quality control, and branding, discovering how innovation and tradition are balanced.

As part of the cultural experience, the students visited the Picasso Museum, enjoying a unique opportunity to discover the works of one of the most internationally influential Spanish artists.

An agreement that benefited everyone

The exchange concluded at TBS Education – Barcelona with a networking session between students from both schools, with a pleasant lunch. It was undoubtedly an enriching experience that allowed participants to reflect on international business practices and discover new cultures.

We would like to thank not only all the participants from Porto Business School and TBS Education – Barcelona, ​​but also Diana A. Filipescu , director of the MSc International Business program, for making this experience possible, which we hope to repeat in the future.