The Gary J. Sbona Honors Program in the College of Business at SJSU sponsored a Professional Study Tour™ for a group of 20 honors students and 3 faculty members to Central Europe this past May/June 2008. The group departed on May 25th for this two week tour which visited the countries of Hungary, Austria, Poland and the Czech Republic.

It was amazing to visit these countries and the companies operating in them and learn all about the differences between pre-soviet and post-soviet economies, the cultural differences and the regional difference within this area.

The group visited such companies as SAP, Cisco, Kooperativa Insurance Group, Raiffeisen Bank, Sklarny Bohemia Glass Factory, Toyota, and many more.  Not to mention all the visits to the US Embassy’s.  Additionally, cultural excursions were arranged to such places as Auschwitz-Birkenau.

GEP was proud to work the College of Business at San Jose State University.  It was a truly eye opening experience and was a great trip for GEP’s first Outbound Program.  We look forward to many more Outbound Trips.