Spain, known as la madre España, will have 15 Lake students visiting its rich features during the week of Spring Break 2008 as part of a trip sponsored by the School of Business and Leadership.
           
The trip will help students gain a better understanding of the business world in other countries.
           
Associate professor of management, Dr. Daniel Glaser-Segura, who will be conducting the trip, said, “We teach international business out of the book, but a better approach is to be in the foreign country.”
           
Before traveling to Spain, students will be expected to meet with the professor to speak about class assignments. The course will also consist of a research paper the students will be turning in at the end, said Glaser-Segura. However, anyone is welcome to go on the trip and does not have to be a business student, said Glaser-Segura.
           
Lake students are looking forward to learning about the country’s business practices by visiting companies, speaking with business leaders, and experiencing the cultural atmosphere.
           
“I hope to gain a better understanding of what I have learned from my International Business class about different cultures, economic philosophies, and their legal systems,” said La’Twana Taylor, a senior majoring in management.  
           
Kristel Lara, a junior majoring in finance, said she has always wanted to visit Europe and “decided to go on this trip because such a wonderful opportunity to travel to a different country to learn about different cultures and meet new people, rarely presents itself.”
           
As of Oct. 11, Glaser-Segura said he has 11 students signed up who have made the deposit of $300 to secure their seat. 
           
The trip fee is $2,200 that includes round- trip airfare from San Antonio to Madrid, hotel accommodations and ground transportation.
           
The Office of Financial Aid can assist students to help them pay for the trip.
           
“The majority of the students have already been awarded for the spring and have maxed out, which means there is no room in their budget” that will cover the trip fee, said Marsha Eldridge, assistant director of financial aid.
           
But if students need the help, they can apply for a private loan to cover the trip fee, said Eldridge. Students interested in using any financial aid they have remaining after tuition is paid need to speak with a financial aid counselor to review their budget.

As for Lara, she said, “I chose not to use any of my financial aid or take out any loans because tuition is already high enough.” Lara’s and Taylor’s family will be helping them cover the trip fee and other expenses.