Why Study Business on Spain's Costa del Sol?

About the Costa Del Sol

Spain’s southern coastline is one of Europe’s most popular travel destinations. Miles of beautiful sandy beaches, the gorgeous Mediterranean sea, an excellent climate with more than 300 sunny days a year, a laid back atmosphere, and tasty tapas are just a few of the reasons so many people from all over the world flock to this 300-kilometer stretch of coastline.

The Costa del Sol is also an interesting destination because of its diversity of coastal towns, each with its own cultural heritage and unique appeal. From the unassuming traditional fishing village of Manilva to bustling and cosmopolitan Málaga, there’s truly something for everyone here.

Why study business there?

The Costa del Sol isn’t just an excellent place to visit; it’s also an ideal place to study business. Here’s a closer look at six reasons to consider Costa del Sol for your international business education.

1. Business is booming

Spain has in recent years bounced back from economic issues, showing solid growth -- with Malaga in particular outpacing other spots. This is due in no small part to its strategic position and status as Spain’s second-largest port, which makes it a popular destination for international trade with Europe and North Africa. Malaga also lays claim to Spain's third-largest international airport, making it the region’s commercial capital. Tourism is also booming in the Costa del Sol and is expected to continue to improve, along with business, thanks to the recent unveiling of a new high-speed train service between the region and the center of the country, including capital Madrid. If you want to work in this thriving region, study experience there can offer a vital inside edge on the job market.

2. It offers a perfect blend of work and play

We’ve all heard the expression, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” This absolutely applies to business school. Sure, you’re there to study, but finding balance is also important. The Costa del Sol’s relaxed environment makes it easy to enjoy yourself while pursuing business studies. Lovers of recreation will find everything from horseback riding and quad biking to parasailing and diving. And while skiing and snowboarding may not be the first activities that come to mind when you hear the words “Sun Coast,” Costa del Sol is also home to Europe’s southernmost ski resort, Sierra Nevada. It’s also one of the continent’s top destinations for golf, a very popular networking activity for business professionals.

3. It’s a region on the rise

Travel + Leisure explains, “Until quite recently, the Costa del Sol’s busiest port was no more than a transfer point to other Andalusian attractions, most notably the Alhambra in Granada, about 80 miles away. However, the city that produced Picasso (he was born here in 1881) is experiencing a renaissance. New museums, music and dance spaces, and even an internationally acclaimed short-film festival are transforming Málaga into an exciting venue for the arts.”

4. Beautiful beaches abound

A huge draw for tourists, Costa del Sol’s beaches are well-equipped with everything you need for fun in the sun. In addition to bath facilities, rental equipment, shops and beach bars and restaurants, you’ll find everything from seasonal water parks to massage parlors. And then there’s the beach food. Wandertooth raves, “All along the beaches in Costa del Sol, you’ll find old fishing boats filled with hot glowing olive tree wood. Restaurants use these makeshift barbecues to cook one of the Costa del Sol’s culinary specialties: grilled sardines on a skewer. Rubbed in sea salt, the fish come with a nice smokey flavour and crispy skin that’s simply delicious! For fish eaters, this is a must-do when staying in Costa del Sol...If fish isn’t your thing, try some of the other local dishes offered in so-called chiringuitos: restaurants set right on the beach, often with lovely sea views!”

5. Much to discover

While Costa del Sol may be best known for its beaches, it has much more to offer than sand and sea. Malaga’s historic Old Town is full of ancient remains and awe-inspiring architecture, while its new marina is a modern masterpiece. And over the region as a whole, art galleries and museums; an abundance of parties, fiestas, and other celebrations; fabled beach clubs and nightclubs; and the glorious Andalucian countryside are just a handful of Costa del Sol’s draws. Students can also sample tapas. A Spanish staple, these snack-sized dishes are scrumptious and remarkably affordable -- the perfect budget-friendly food for students.

6. The weather is amazing

To say Costa del Sol has good weather is an understatement. One of Europe’s sunniest regions, it gets more than 3,000 hours of sunshine every year and also boasts an especially temperate climate thanks to its plum location on the Mediterranean Sea. Plus, when things do get too hot, a dip in the ocean is the perfect way to cool off.

An education full of opportunities

Now we’ve established that Costa del Sol is an excellent destination, especially for business studies, it begs the question of where to study there? Schellhammer Business School, with a student body representing more than 80 nationalities, stands out as an international destination.

Accredited by Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges and Universities (ASIC) and having received numerous commendable grades from Cambridge Assessment International Education, Schellhammer Business School offers a range of English-taught programs with foundations in Swiss didactics and methods and aligned with the Bologna Treaty Rules. These include a Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor in International Marketing, Master of Business Administration, Master in International Marketing, and more.

Given the region’s dominance in tourism, meanwhile, Schellhammer Business School’s recently introduced hospitality programs, including a Bachelor in Hospitality Management and Master in Global Hospitality Management, make it the perfect environment for future hospitality professionals.

The same applies to aspiring business leaders in tech thanks to Malaga’s status as the “Spanish Silicon Valley.” NOR Estates explains, “Costa del Sol is seen to become even more competitive internationally and this time not just through its tourism sector. The technology parks are meant to serve as incubators for startups to develop innovative products to allow room for novel ideas to flourish. Costa del Sol is slowly becoming Costa de Tech and here is yet another proof of Malaga’s unique diversity.”

But why take our word for it when you can hear directly from Schellhammer graduates instead? According to a student survey, 98 percent of Schellhammer students report that the school’s teaching quality exceeds their expectations, while 95 percent said the same of the program’s structure, student support, and instructors.

BBA graduate Jenny says, “I would like to express my gratitude for having had the opportunity to attend SBS over the last three years, it has been an amazing experience and I feel that I am really prepared now for the world and my future.” Meanwhile, BBA student Taha says, “I love this business school because it helped me find something I didn’t know I had… an understanding and passion for business.”

And the school’s quality is also shown by the many top positions its alumni are in across various fields, all over the world. Its graduates are now in roles including Regional Sales Manager of HIS Global Alliance Hotel Group in UAE; Commercial Director at Concierge Key Health LLC in USA; owner-manager of Qbara Beach & Lounge in Spain; Director of Sales at S Hotels & Resorts in Thailand; Marketing Manager at Topcon Medical Deutschland; founder of luxury lifestyle brand BYDYDY; Head of Entrepreneurship at Enterprise Georgia; and Psychotherapist with The Bulgarian Institute of Psychotherapy -- to name but a few.

There’s no denying that Costa del Sol is an amazing destination for tourists. Thanks to Schellhammer Business School, it’s also an amazing destination for the next generation of business leaders, in many different industries. If you are looking to level up in your career while also enriching your life through travel, there’s no better way to do so than through business studies at Schellhammer Business School in Spain’s extraordinary Costa del Sol!

Article written in association with Schellhammer Business School.