An enriching stay 

After having been in Barcelona’s shadow for a long time, the royal city has known an impressive economic growth during the last decade, outshining its Catalan rival to become Spain’s most powerful region. New technologies, real estate construction or financial services, these are some lines of business where Madrid now excels. Pedro HOMEDES RIVERO from Invest in Madrid, whom we met on Monday June 17, has well explained that this isn’t due to a mere coincidence but to political choices, which allowed to attract foreign assets in particular.


In the afternoon, the group of students was welcomed at the Franco-Spanish Chamber of Commerce. Javier ABIA ESPARTERO, HR Manager Iberia within LENNOX EMEA, an international company specialized in HVAC and Refrigeration, described his job practice. Thanks to his numerous work experiences and to his vast knowledge in Human Resources, the students went in depth into the essential themes of their future job.

The next day, the group had the opportunity to visit ABB, one of the world leaders in the energy and industrial automatization sectors. Antonio FREIJE, Head of HR for Spain, presented the company as well as its different HR departments. This presentation was followed by a visit of the Lab where technical tests are carried out. The friendliness of the speakers and the relevance of their explanations brought to the students new perspectives on Human Resources’ practice in the Industry sector.

On Wednesday June 19, the students went to the Universidad Autonóma de Madrid, a Partner University of the iaelyon School of Management. The conference of María ESCAT CORTES, Professor in the Department of Applied Economics, about the “Human Resources of tomorrow” was a good opportunity to mention the challenges the students will be facing, and the innovative strategies to respond to them efficiently. 

From its prestigious museums to its delicious tapas, as well as its majestic architecture, jolly atmosphere and generous sun, the students were able to appreciate in 5 days everything that La Villa y Corte had to offer.

A dynamic stay with a great team spirit in order to discover companies from Spain and the Spanish culture.” (Anaïs)

A look to the future 

This wonderful trip ends two years of studies, of meeting new people and of shared moments within the Human Resources Management Master’s degree (RHO), of which the students will be proud to graduate in September. In the weeks, months and years to come, each of them will probably take different paths, however they will always be united by their common experience of the RHO Master’s degree.

Acknowledgment 

The students first would like to show their gratitude to Aurélien BARBY from UIMM Lyon-France, to Chloé GUILLOT-SOULEZ, Director of studies, to Lucas MICHEL, Romane GONTHIER and Armand TOMASZEWSKI for having organized this Learning Expedition, to Corinne ORTILLEZ, Student Program Administration Officer, to Mathilde DESPLANS and Marion LAVAL from the International Relations Department of the iaelyon, to Claire CAVALLUCCI, Head of HR LENNOX EMEA, and to the iaelyon School of Management for their support on this project. 

The students also wish to express their heartfelt thanks to everyone who welcomed them and who shared their knowledge and experiences with them: Pedro HOMEDES RIVERO and Diego DE ARISTEGUI LABORDE (Invest in Madrid), Jean COLOMBIER (Franco-Spanish Chamber of Commerce), Javier ABIA ESPARTERO (LENNOX), Antonio FREIJE, Maria Jose MINGO, Carmen HERRERA, Sandra GIL LOPEZ, Dana MAYOR and Iñigo ALONSO (ABB), Rafael De ARCE BORDA and María ESCAT CORTES (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid). 


Hasta la próxima !