Spain: Alan Garcia (Learning on Excursion)

Learning on Excursion

The course I have enjoyed the most throughout my program thus far has been without a doubt Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility. The main objective of the course is to analyze and evaluate companies, the role they have in society and if they are acting in an ethical manner by applying various different ethical frameworks. While it’s often easier to pick on the bad apples, we make an effort to recognize companies who have acted in an ethical manner, and we were even able to visit one of those companies through a day trip to their factory. La Fageda, a local Spanish company located on the Els Casals estate in the heart of the La Garroxta Volcanic Zone, specializes in dairy products such as yogurt, jams, and ice creams. The company describes itself as a ‘social project with a mission to improve the quality of life of people in vulnerable circumstances’. Of their 600 employees, roughly 75% of them suffer from a disability. La Fageda strives to change the societal role of their employees, from ‘being a passive element to a person who actively contributes to their environment’.

Upon arriving at the Els Casals estate, we were kindly greeted by our tour guide. She explained to us some of the history, explaining that the project was founded in 1982 by Cristóbal Colón. After a brief explanation of their history and mission, we were led to the farm which is home to nearly 250 Friesian cows. We were able to learn how the process works and the various machines they use to milk the cows. After this, we were also able to touch and feed the cows! Once everyone g ot a chance to do so, we were then led to the dairy factory, where we were able to see firsthand employees hard at work. We were able to see nearly all of their products on the production line, in real time. After a tour of their dairy factory, we were given a sample of the yogurt. I opted to have the natural yogurt with cane sugar, and it was one of the best yogurts I’ve ever had! I really enjoyed my time at La Fageda, and it was a breath of fresh air to see a company who tries to have a positive impact on society, not necessarily for their own benefit. I believe it’s extremely important to highlight and recognize companies such as La Fageda for the incredible work they are doing. Since my visit to their factory, I strictly only buy their dairy products at the grocery store. As consumers, we hold power in which companies we decided to support through our consumption, and it’s of the utmost importance to use that power to support companies who are deserving of it.

Alan Garcia

Major: Finance, Investment, and Banking & International Business

Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Program: Spain – CIEE Business and Culture