On Wednesday, July 2, we had the pleasure of welcoming Professor Manuel Morales from Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid, Spain, for a special brown-bag session.

Professor Morales, Vice Dean for International Relations at the School of Economic and Business Sciences, introduced Comillas’ exchange programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. He also shared valuable insights into student life in Madrid and the broader Spanish cultural experience, highlighting the availability of English-taught courses and the many benefits of studying abroad.

He emphasized the importance of participating in exchange programs as a way to develop the ability to embrace different ways of thinking. He also stressed that the timing of enrolling in an exchange program is crucial, as students should go when they are academically ready to take full advantage of the opportunities available.

We learned that students who wish to deepen their academic focus should consider studying abroad in their third year rather than in their second year. In the first two years, students are expected to build a solid foundation in their specialized field at their home institution (i.e., Sophia University). From the third year onward, they can go abroad to engage with more advanced topics. This structure allows them to build their knowledge step by step, strengthen their analytical skills more effectively, and reach deeper levels of interpretation in their work.

We are truly grateful for Professor Morales’s visit and his inspiring talk.