Fly into Helsinki, Finland, to learn about the long European trading history since medieval times and explore the beautiful modern city. Indulge in a sauna or a spa before taking a stunning ferry ride across the Baltic Sea to Tallinn, Estonia. There, you’ll spend a week getting to know and collaborating with local college students in the beautifully preserved medieval capital of Tallinn, Estonia, at the Estonian Business School (EBS). EBS has been a leader in entrepreneurship for decades and is responsible for launching the highest percentage of Europe's privately held startup companies and one of the world’s leading institutions in the field of cybersecurity. Throughout the week we will learn about business and entrepreneurship while also exploring the incredible food, culture, and people of one of the world's youngest democracies! Estonia's rich musical history, food, idyllic castles, and 20-hour-a-day sunshine will round out a life-enriching study abroad experience. Explore the stunning castles, medieval walls and a multitude of ornate churches all set against a dynamic and future-forward modern capital city. Finally, take the ferry back to Helsinki to round out your exploration of why these two countries are at the vanguard of the world economy in the 21st century.
Join Practitioner in Residence Doug Marrelli, who brings decades of real-life experience in Supply Chain Management and who has worked with and for American and international companies, and Dr. Jose Riera, Ph.D. a seasoned corporate executive, an authority in cybersecurity and entrepreneurship, and AppState’s Management professor for Global Studies, for a truly unique and interactive course to two important European countries that are leading the way in digital technology, sustainable farming, and green energy.
This is a new program open to all Boone, Hickory, and online undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of major, and may be of particular interest to Business Administration, Architecture, Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture, Environmental Studies, Music, and Language majors. This program was created in consultation with the Consul Thomas Luckadoo and the Consulate of Estonia based on our Hickory campus. Reach out to program leader, Doug Marrelli (marrellidm@appstate.edu) or Dr. Jose Riera (rierajj@appstate.edu) for more information.
Financial scholarship support available based on need and financial availability
Course
BUS 4045 - Finland & Estonia - The future is now (3 credit hours) Prerequisites: 84 earned hours
Credits (3 credit hours)
BUS 4045 - This 3 semester hour course fulfills the International Business major or minor electives (major, approved, required, or other), a COB elective or upper-level elective, and fulfills the Global Issues requirement. Prerequisite: 84 earned hours.
MBA 5020 - This 3 semester hour course fulfills the international requirement for the MBA program and is an elective for the international business and/or interdisciplinary concentration.
Cost
Program Cost: $3810.00 Includes: airfare, lodging, ground and ferry transportation, international health insurance, EU visas, all breakfasts, a welcome dinner and a closing dinner, entrance fees, tours of historical sites and businesses, and a week of materials and collaborations with the Estonian Business School in Tallinn.
Additional Costs: $500 Not included in program cost: summer tuition, passport(if needed), 8 lunches, 6 dinners, personal expenses.
Program Leaders
- Doug Marrelli, Management Lecturer
marrellidm@appstate.edu
rierajj@appstate.edu
Senior Lecturer
navely@appstate.edu
About Doug Marrelli: Doug Marrelli is a Practitioner in Residence faculty member in the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management in the Appalachian State University’s Walker College of Business. He earned his MBA degree from Old Dominion University as well as a graduate certificate in Logistics while working full-time in the supply chain industry. His work has afforded him opportunities to live and work in Asia, the Middle East and extensive travels throughout Europe, Australia, Central and South America. Other activities include: Past President of the Charlotte Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), guest speaker at South Carolina International Trade Conference, planning committee member of Virginia International Trade Symposium, and international trade Subject Matter Expert panelist at numerous conferences. Outside of teaching, Doug has worked a number of years in the Lowe’s home improvement corporate office logistics department (Beneficial Cargo Owner) as well as many years on the Lowe’s Global Sourcing team. He has also worked for Maersk (Carrier) as well as Kuehne + Nagel International Logistics (3PL). In his spare time, Doug enjoys running (10K, Half and Full Marathons), volunteering for various causes such as Habitat for Humanity as well as spending time with family and traveling…especially international travel.
Application Instructions
Contact the program leader to express your interest.
To apply, click on the program link: https://appstate.via-trm.com/program_brochure/23946
Go to the "Term Information" tab and click "Apply Now" under FLEAP Summer 2025.
Complete, sign, and submit the application form online.
Pay the $300 deposit and follow payment guidelines.
Remember, you will need to register for the course in addition to completing this application.
Application Deadline: February 15th. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
