MSU Global Game Changers
June 2026
Barcelona, Spain
Monday June 8th to Saturday June 13th, 2025
Generator Barcelona
Carrer de Còrsega, 373, Gràcia, 08037 Barcelona, Spain
Monday June 9th - Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona
Meet Anna, Gabriele, and Professor Markin at the airport.
We will take the train and metro from the airport to the hotel.
Metro route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/U3sM4TqhMo3hwHrr6
Check-in from 3pm onwards.
Arrivals Times: TBD
Barcelona Transport:
We will give you metro cards which will cover all of your public transport for your 5 days in Barcelona. Please note that you are personally responsible for your card and if you lose it you will have to replace it at your own cost.
Public Transport Website: https://www.tmb.cat/en/home
Hola Barelona 5-day Card
Includes unlimited public transport on the metro and bus (TMB), the Montjuïc funicular, railway (FGC, zone 1), tram (TRAM), and Barcelona commuter trains (Rodalies de Catalunya, zone 1). The Montjuïc cable car is not included.
Hola Barcelona Travel Card are valid for one person only.
To use your card, validate it at the beginning of every journey.
Generator Barcelona Room Allocations:
Boys: one room with 6 beds
Girls: four rooms each with 6 beds and one room with 7 beds
Welcome Event - TBD
Go to bed early, because we have a big day tomorrow!
Meet Your Tour Leaders
Anna McNiel +393287290848
Gabriele Merlini +393284576517
The best way to contact us is using Whatsapp. Whatsapp uses data to send messages or make phone calls. You can use it when your phone is roaming or your are on a WiFi network. It is one of the most common ways to communicate in Europe as an equal number of people have iPhones as have Samsung or other android phones.
Roaming through your cellphone provider
Roaming can be very expensive - around $10 a day. Check with your compnay to see if they allow eSims. It can be a great alternative which is cheaper and keeps you connected throughout your travels. Look at the Europe options. I have used https://www.airalo.com/ on various overseas trips, however there are many different companies offering the same service.
Luggage: We will be taking multiple forms of public transport throughout the trip. You need to be able to EASILY carry and walk 15 minutes with your luggage. The sidewalks are narrow in Europe and the trains do not have unlimited luggage racks. One rolling suitcase and a backpack is a comfortable amount of luggage. We recommend having travel locks on your bags especially on your backpack so you know your belongings are secure when you are walking around airports and taking public transport.
Note: we will be flying between Barcelona and Paris you will be limited to one suitcase of 50 pounds and one handbag or small backpack maximum 16x12x18 inches. If you think you will be doing a lot of shopping, pack a extra duffel bag in your suitcase.
Tuesday June 9th - Day 2: Barcelona Cultural Day
Wednesday June 10th - Day 3: Academic Program
Thursday June 11th - Day 4: Academic Program
Friday June 12th - Day 5: FREE DAY!!!
Breakfast Included
Today you will be free to explore the city. Don’t forget to finish any Barcelona specific projects that you have for your professors before your shop, see the sights, or relax on the beach.
TOMORROW
Pack today! We will be leaving straight after breakfast tomorrow to take the train to the airport. Remember that there will be strict luggage rules. You can check in one suitcase of 50 pounds and you can carry on either a handbag or a small backpack that does not exceed the following measurements 16x12x18 inches. Your carry on must be able to fit under the seat in front of you. If you bag exceeds the weight or is too large to fit under your seat, YOU will be responsible for paying an excess luggage fees.
When travelling in Europe you will need to have your passport to show as identification, even if we do not need to go through passport control.
Do not throw away your Barcelona Metro card as you will need it to get the train to the airport.
Saturday June 14th - Day 6: Paris to Florence
Check-out, hand in rooms keys, and meet outside the hotel with all of your belongings, ready to go at 6:15am.
We will be taking the train from Paris to Milan and then from Milan to Florence.
The walking time from The People to Gare du Lyon is about 20 minutes. Make sure you are comfortable dressed for carrying your bags and suitcases for the walk. We will arrive at the station at least 30 minutes prior to our train departure. There may be time to get a coffee or snack in the station. You could also make sure you buy a snack and bottle of water the day before. There will also be a restaurant car on the train.
When we arrive in Florence we will also have a 15-20 minute walk to our hostel where we will be able to check-in immediately. There will be time to freshen up and then we will go all together to have pizza dinner in a secret garden restaurant.
Paris, France
Saturday June 13th to Thursday June 18th
Generator Paris
9-11 Pl. du Colonel Fabien, 75010 Paris, France
https://staygenerator.com/hostels/paris
GGC Personalized Google Map: Restaurants, Gelato, Etc
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/3/edit?mid=11yb5Ms5daEKeUWQ2MzOGv_f8ih0e7_Y&usp=sharing
Sunday June 15th - Day 7: Welcome to Florence
EVERYONE: Let’s go see Michelangelo’s famous masterpiece, The David, at the Accademia Gallery.
Meet outside the hostel at 9:30am. We have timed entry times but we will still aim to be there 15 minutes before our appointment.
NOTE: Please DO NOT bring big bags/backpacks. We will be going through an airport style security check to get in. Also DO NOT bring refillable thermos water bottles. You are permitted to bring a standard 500ml bottle. Forbidden items will be confiscated.
FASHION STUDENTS. Please make sure you are in the first group at 10:15am as you have another appointment after the museum. Second group entrance time 10:30am.
FASHION
Meet Prof. Woodward outside the Accademia Gallery at 11:30am.
12 NOON
Guided tour of the Salvatore Ferragamo Shoe Museum.
After the tour we will walk all together to the other side of the river where you will have free time for lunch. First we will show you the entrance/meeting point for your visit to the Pitti Palace.
*Lunch Recommendation: Piazza Santo Spirito
Gustapizza or Osteria Santo Spirito
3:15PM
Meet Prof. Woodward back at the Pitti Palace for your timed entrance to the Fashion and Costume Galleries at 3:30pm.
CULTURAL CURIOSITY
Check with the hostel or the bar across the road to see if they will be televising the Calcio Storico — this is a ancient football match that will be happening at 7pm in Piazza Santa Croce. Unfortunately they have set up a system so that it is only really possible for locals to access tickets so we won’t be able to watch it in person.
NOTE: Because of the historic football match the area around Santa Croce Square will be closed off from about 4pm. Walking around the center of Florence in the afternoon you might run into the medieval costume parade that leads up to the football match.
BUSINESS & BIOCHEMISTRY
Meet Prof. Markin and Prof. Rai outisde the Accademia Gallery at 11:45Pm.
BIOCHEMISTRY at 2PM
Afternoon guided tour (1 hour) of the Specola Museum.
After the Accademia Gallery walk all together to Piazza Santo Spirito where you can have free time for lunch. Recommendations: GustaPizza or Osteria Santo Spirito for their famous gorgonzola truffle gnocchi — plus they do half serves which is all you really need!
BUSINESS - free afternoon
Monday June 16th - Day 8: Sneakers, Coffee, and Science
BUSINESS & BIOCHEM
In Florence, we will be focusing on one of Italy’s most important ‘food groups’ - COFFEE! Not only is Italy world renowned for the quality of its coffee and for exporting its ways of making coffee around the world, but recently there has been an explosion of interest, particularly from young Foodtrepreneurs, in micro-roasting, tasting (cupping), and technology.
MORNING
BIOCHEM - free morning
BUSINESS - meet with Davide about the business of selling coffee. He owns a bar in Santo Spirito. Time - TBC. Meeting point in front of the hostel around 9AM.
AFTERNOON
Today, we will be visiting La Marzocco - a historic, originally family run business, that started right here in Florence. La Marzocco made some of the first espresso machines both for commercial and home use, and have been official suppliers to companies both small and as big as Starbucks. https://www.lamarzocco.com/it/en/
Meet in front of the hostel at 1pm and we will take a local bus all together to their Coffee Academy.
FASHION
Start of our Sneaker Crawl - in recent years there has been a proliferation of designer sneaker companies many of which come from Florence. We will meet the owners, discuss their inspiration, creation, successes, and challenges. Company names and appointment times coming soon.
Meet in front of the hostel at 9AM.
10AM My Mancini
https://www.mymancini.it/
Created by Alessia and Matteo Mancini
11:30AM D.A.T.E Sneakers
https://www.date-sneakers.com/it/
Created by four friends Damiano, Alessandro, Tommaso, and Emiliano. They currently have a collab with the Empoli Seria A football (soccer) team.
D.A.T.E. FLAGSHIP STORE
Via del Parione 53/55 R
50123 - Firenze
AFTERNOON
Free visit (without appointment) to Golden Goose
https://www.goldengoose.com/it/it/stores/firenze/6
How do their sneakers and customizations compare to My Mancini.
Check out other sneaker stores and designers like Gucci and Prada.
INTERESTING ARTICLE ABOUT FASHION TRENDS IN ITALY:
https://romebusinessschool.com/blog/rome-business-school-report-italians-ask-for-sustainable-made-in-italy-online-fashion-brand-activism-green-fashion-and-rental-fashion-are-on-the-rise/
Tuesday June 17th - Day 9: Prato
The History of Textiles, Textile Production, and now Textile Recycling
EVERYONE
8AM meet in front of the hostel. We will be walking to Florence Central train station. We will take a short ride to the town of Prato where our guides for the day will meet us and take us to explore the world of textiles.
9:00 AM – Bus pick-up at Prato Central Station (with the guide)
9:30–10:30 AM – Visit to the Ragsmen
11:00 AM–12:00 PM – Visit to the Spinning Mill
12:30–1:30 PM – Visit to Rifò
1:30–2:00 PM – Lunch break near the Textile Museum (final bus stop)
2:00–3:00 PM – Visit to the Textile Museum
After the textiles museum we will walk back to the Prato train station to return all together to Florence.
7:30PM OPTIONAL: Dinner at Acqua al 2, walking time about 30 minutes
The business and biochemistry groups will be visiting Acqua al 2 restaurant tomorrow as part of their coursework. We have made a reservation for all of you to eat at Acqua al 2 tonight at 7:30PM. Please let us know in advance if you would like to go so we can advise the restaurant in plenty of time if the numbers are changing. Note: Acqua al 2 is famous for their Filet either with blueberry or balsamic sauce as well as their pasta sampler, which is 5 tastes of pasta for almost the same price as one normal pasta. The minimum spend for dinner will be around 35 euro which of course depends on how many courses you order and if you also have wine.
Unfortunately June is high season in Florence and it is very difficult to get restaurant bookings the day or week of. We have booked in advance because in previous years, the group was sad to have missed out.
Wednesday June 18th - Day 10:
BUSINESS & BIOCHEMISTRY
La Sosta Specialty Coffee with Simone
https://lasosta.coffee/en
Meet in front of the hostel at 9am. We will take local transport together to Simone’s Micro Roastery to explore the world of coffee, how it is made, why coffee’s taste different based on beans and roasting, the different ways to extract coffee, and more…
3PM Restauranteur/Owner - Stefano from Acqua al 2
https://www.acquaal2florence.com/
Acqua al 2 has been operating for over 40 years in Florence, started by Stefano and his sister, when they were in the early 20s. At the time, their goal was to create something Italian, but unique, different. Their success is evidenced in the fact that the menu has barely changed over the decades, that they are as popular as ever, and now have two restaurants in America. Ask Stefano about his steps into creating his own brand of sauces, and the challenges he has faced brining is secret sauces to the market.
FASHION
Meet in front of the hostel at 9AM.
Now that we are experts in fabric recycling and fashion sustainability we will be meeting with Flo Concept, first in their Atelier and then in their Concept Store. They started their project in 2010 so could be considered leaders in sustainable fashion, starting well before sustainability became a ‘buzz’ word in the industry.
https://www.floconcept.it/en/the-project/
FREE AFTERNOON
Thursday June 19th - Day 11: Florence - Chianti - Rome
CHECK-OUT: bring bags downstairs, hand in keys, and be ready outside the hostel at 8AM. We will be traveling by private bus. All suitcases will need to go under the bus. Backpacks and small bags can inside the bus with us.
9AM - visit the Piero Tucci Leather Factory. We will meet with the owners and artisans that produce handbags at Piero Tucci followed by some free time to explore and shop in their showroom. If you thin you want to buy a bag, remember that you can claim tax back on purchases of 155 euro or more. Make sure you have your passport information to fill out the tax back form.
https://www.pierotucci.com/en10AM back on the bus to drive to Castello di Verrazzano. Your tour of the castle and wine cellars will begin promptly at 10:50am. The tour will be followed by a lunch that includes:
PDO Tuscan ham, finocchiona, wild boar salami, head cheese with lemon zest, crostino with lard from the Val di Greve, Tuscan crostino
tasting of "Balsamico Verrazzano" on pecorino (sheep cheese)
Goat cheese with farm jellies
Organic extra virgin olive oil from Castello di VerrazzanoAnd last but not least traditional cantuccini almond biscotti.
https://www.verrazzano.com/en/At 1:30PM we will get back on our bus and drive to Rome. Please make sure you use the bathroom at Verrazzano before we leave. The drive to Rome will be approximately 3.5 hours, we will stop once along the way as required to use the restrooms.
5PM-ish Check-in to our hostel in Rome.
Rome, Italy
Thursday June 19th to Sunday June 22nd
GENERATOR HOSTEL
Via Principe Amedeo, 251, 00185 Roma RM
Friday June 20th - Day 12:
BUSINESS & BIOCHEM
Meet with the owner of a three star hotel in Rome.
FASHION
Dolce and Gabbana Exhibition at 10AM
From the Heart to the Hands
Discover the inspiration, creative process and craftsmanship behind Dolce&Gabbana's one-of-a-kind creations.
AFTERNOON
TBC
Saturday June 21st - Day 13:
EVERYONE
9AM Colosseum timed entrance - CONFIRMED
FREE DAY to explore Rome.
Last Night, farewell event to celebrate two amazing weeks in Europe together!
Sunday June 22nd - Day 14: Time to go home!
CHECK-OUT: Bring bags downstairs, hand in rooms keys, and be ready to walk to the Roma Termini Train Station. We will organize groups and times based on when your flights are leaving. The train to Rome Fiumicino Airport leaves twice an hour, and takes 3o minutes.
For international flights it is advised that you arrive three hours prior to departure.
Prof Markin and Prof Rai will be leaving on a 9:45am flight.
If you are on the same flight, meet in reception at 6am to walk together to the train station.
Train tickets will be provided.
Emergency Contacts
Anna
Local Representative
+39 328-729-0848
Craig
Contact for any issues with tickets or after hour concerns
1-636-236-7928