European Family Business Study Tour
BUEC 444 / SEM 648
Course Overview
The Master's Programs Office offers students the unique opportunity to participate in an international study tour to Europe during the spring. The European Family Business Study Tour pairs lectures and assignments at the University of Alberta during the Winter Term with a two-week, faculty-led study tour through Europe in early May. The tour most recently ran in May 2026 and will be offered again in Winter Term 2027.
Students gain first-hand insight into how European family businesses approach governance, strategy, succession, and long-term strategy through company visits, lectures and workshops at partner universities, and cultural activities.
Course Information
This 3 credit course is comprised of 2 components; a classroom component and an on-site tour component. The course combines lectures, company visits and sightseeing locations in Germany, Italy, and Austria.
Classroom Component:
The classroom component will focus on understanding the political and economic dynamics of Europe, its culture, and its role in the global economy. Moreover, it will cover Europe's business environment and how governance differences within Europe impact family business entrepreneurship. This component will take place during the Winter semester. All classroom sessions will take place in the School of Business.
On-site Tour Component:
The ~13-day tour will occur during the first two weeks in May.
The most recent tour occurred in May 2026.
The 2026 tour began in Frankfurt, Germany, continued to Innsbruck, Austria, and then to Venice and Milan, Italy. Roughly two weeks across three countries, blending corporate visits with university sessions and company tours.
2026 visits included:
- European Central Bank and Merck in Germany
- Grassmayr Bell Foundry and Historic walking tour in Innsbruck, Austria
- Venezia FC game, lectures at Politecnico di Milano, and tours of Italian family-led brands including Luxottica, Stella and Fondazione Prada in Italy
SEM 648 returns in Winter 2027.
The course will include two weekend morning lectures during the Winter 2027 term, followed by an international study tour in early May 2027. The course is open to MBA students, with limited enrolment.
The 2027 study tour destinations will be confirmed closer to the departure date but are expected to include visits to Germany, Austria, and Italy.