Food Marketing Study Abroad: Farm to Fork in Barcelona

For the third year in a row, I had the pleasure of leading 19 incredible Florida Atlantic University business students on a Food Marketing Study Abroad. This time, we swapped the green hills of Ireland for the vibrant energy of Barcelona, Spain. The students experienced a cultural immersion, exploring global food systems and sustainable practices while learning hands-on marketing insights — all under the warm Spanish sun.

This immersive program, “From the Farm to the Fork,” continues to prove that learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. In Week One, we dove straight into the Catalan food industry with exclusive visits to Torclum’s olive groves, the organic vineyards of Albet i Noya, and Corpen Distillery’s craft gin operation. A culinary tour with The Food Lovers Company and a Retail Safari through Carrefour, Lidl, and El Corte Inglés helped students connect production and distribution with consumer experience in a global marketplace.

“My favorite experience was visiting the Albet i Noya Winery, where we had a wine tasting, learned the winery’s history, and how they market their products,” shared Aaron Thon, a finance major. The excursions felt authentic, and I learned so much through these immersive experiences.”

Week Two brought us deeper into Spain’s agricultural heart. We toured La Cormina Sustainable Dairy Farm, donned beekeeper suits to explore hive production at Casa de les Abelles, toured the Santa Caterina Market, and cooked traditional Spanish dishes with local chefs. Students met goats at Formatges Llucà, studied volcanic cuisine in the Garrotxa region, and brainstormed strategy during the Epicure Society Marketing Challenge — applying classroom knowledge to real business problems.

In our final week, we examined Barcelona as a destination brand thanks to an insightful guest lecture from Pieter Bailleul, hiked Montjuïc, and experienced the passion of Flamenco. A masterclass in wine and tapas pairing with Sascha P. Koch and a heartfelt farewell dinner wrapped up our unforgettable adventure.

What makes this program unique is the real-world consulting experience — students complete an internship-style final project with our partner companies: The Food Lover’s Tour and Corpen Gin Distillery. Teams are challenged with a current marketing issue, conduct primary and secondary research, and present strategic recommendations directly to the “client” via Zoom. It’s a true test of everything they’ve learned — and an invaluable bridge between academic study and professional application.

Experiential learning at this level enhances academic understanding but even more, it expands cultural perspectives, builds confidence, and inspires lifelong curiosity. I’m immensely proud of our students for their professionalism, enthusiasm, open-mindedness, and dedication to learning beyond the classroom. ¡Hasta pronto, Barcelona!

*Special thanks to Nerla Moise, Academic Advisor, for her invaluable support — this trip would not have been possible without her.

Read more stories about Florida Atlantic’s Farm to Fork Marketing Study Abroad on previous trips to Ireland in 2023 and 2024. 

Interested in the Summer 2026 Food Marketing Study Abroad? Contact Professor Eileen Acello: eacello@fau.edu

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