Traveling to Madrid with the Global Business Fellows Program to Consult for Airbus Helicopters

This story is part of the Student Voices series, which provides a firsthand perspective of the student experience at Georgetown McDonough.

Adelle Barkhuizen (B’25) is a Global Business Fellow (GBF) in the Undergraduate Programs who recently traveled to Madrid, Spain, as part of her global consulting project with Airbus Helicopters Spain. Here, she shares more about her journey abroad with her classmates.

A Glimpse into My Background and Choosing the GBF Program

Growing up in a multicultural household, I have always been exposed to different cultures and experiences. The smell of Korean cuisine and the spirit of supporting South Africa’s Springboks fills my mind with fond memories of home. Throughout high school, I was heavily involved in international affairs and global conversations, volunteering with the Gulf Coast Diplomacy Council and interning with the U.S. Department of State. I knew I wanted to attend a university that prioritized global experiences and global business. My passion for global conversations and ideas led me to apply to the Global Business Fellows (GBF) program. The GBF program granted me the opportunity to take my global interests and couple them with a holistic business degree, providing unique opportunities to engage with various people and organizations.  

Consulting for Airbus Helicopters Spain

For our capstone project with Airbus Helicopters Spain (AHE), we traveled to Madrid, Spain, during spring break to present our findings and recommendations to the AHE team. There were four teams for our consulting deliverables. My team’s main objective was to analyze the current strategy and transformation practices of AHE and recommend further refinement and action steps to ensure total alignment. Additionally, we analyzed one vertical of the business focusing on “People, Leadership, and Culture.” 

Throughout the six weeks leading up to our trip to Spain, my team met with the AHE management team, conducting interviews to understand their approach to internal strategy and key areas for improvement. Our focus on a particular workstream required external research into best practices and how competitors have best approached “People, Leadership, and Culture” within their own practices. Upon reviewing various company practices, we were better able to offer action steps and recommendations to AHE, showing a proven track record from other companies. 

In addition to these interviews, we had weekly meetings with our point of contacts to update them on our progress. One challenge we encountered was ensuring our ideas were directly applicable to AHE’s operations, ensuring scalability and sustainability. Our weekly conversations helped us to ensure our approach to the project was aligning with expectations, wanting to be as useful to the company as possible. 

One of the most rewarding aspects of the consulting project was visiting the facility and meeting all of the people behind the incredible work in person. After countless hours of virtual discussions and back-and-forth collaboration, experiencing AHE’s operations in person brought everything to life. Seeing the day-to-day processes in action provided a deeper understanding of the organization’s work beyond what we had previously learned, making our project feel even more meaningful and impactful. 

When thinking about my key takeaways, I think the paramount lesson was understanding how local operations and strategy must always align with the company’s greater goals and mission. Our trip to Spain was not only focused on the consulting project, and throughout our various academic visits we better understood how global and local operations must align in order to maintain the greater brand image and cultivated culture. Though closely aligned, Airbus Helicopters Spain navigated complexities differently than operations in the United States or even other regions of Europe. Understanding Airbus Helicopter Spain’s operations and strategy from a local and internal perspective served as the foundation for our project. 

Favorite Memories While Abroad

As part of the immersive learning experience, our cohort engaged with some of the most influential global companies in finance, aviation, fashion, and sustainability. From our visit to Banco Santander, where we explored the intersection of finance and sustainability, to touring a family-owned winery and understanding the craftsmanship behind Spanish wine production, every experience provided unique insights into Spain’s diverse business landscape. Through these visits, we gained firsthand insight into the complexities of global business operations and strategic decision-making. 

One of the most impactful experiences was our visit to Inditex Headquarters in La Coruña. Our cohort toured the facility, gaining an inside look at operations across Inditex’s seven brands. Observing firsthand how buyers and designers collaborate, seeing prototype store layouts, and even catching a glimpse of upcoming product lines offered an invaluable perspective on the fashion retail industry. A particularly memorable insight was learning about the origins of Zara — how its founder, Amancio Ortega, opened the first store in his hometown and kept Inditex’s global headquarters in La Coruña. Our guide shared that a significant portion of the local population works for Inditex in some capacity, underscoring the company’s role in shaping the regional economy. This highlighted how global business success can be deeply rooted in a company’s commitment to its local communities.

Reflecting on this trip, the friendships I formed within our cohort truly defined my experience. The memories we created as a cohort on this trip have become some of the most cherished moments of my college experience. Beyond the friendships, immersing myself in Spanish culture was an unforgettable experience. While I had previously visited other cities in Spain, Madrid had a distinct energy that felt completely new. Walking through its beautiful streets, hearing Castellano fill the air, and experiencing the city’s dynamic pace gave me a deeper appreciation for its vibrant culture. Spanish cuisine, with its rich blend of flavors and diverse dishes, was another highlight — every meal felt like a new discovery. Returning to Spain also reminded me of the warmth of its people and the country’s more relaxed approach to work-life balance, a contrast that left a lasting impression on me.

Final Thoughts

This experience fundamentally changed the way I view global business. It reinforced the idea that while companies operate on a global scale, their local presence and decision-making structures remain deeply influential. Witnessing how companies like Airbus, Santander, and Inditex integrate global strategies while maintaining strong regional identities helped me appreciate the nuances of international business operations. Additionally, engaging in discussions with industry professionals provided a more practical understanding of business functions beyond the theoretical frameworks taught in class. Whether in future coursework, internships, or career opportunities, I plan to leverage this experience to contribute informed perspectives on global markets, supply chain strategies, and corporate social responsibility. Ultimately, this experience has reinforced my ambition to be an active participant in the global business landscape, using the knowledge gained to drive meaningful impact in my career.

-Adelle Barkhuizen (B’25)