Topic: Sustainable Cities – Copenhagen

BUS 399 or HON 399 (3 credits)

SUMMER TRAVEL COURSE

Estimated Travel Dates: May 31 – June 12, 2026

Program Outline

1) Students will travel to Copenhagen and over the course of a week will conduct research to determine why Copenhagen is a sustainable city and to develop a plan to adopt best practices in the US.

2) Students will conduct sustainability-related research in the areas of politics/regulations, economy, business/commercial activity, education, and society and culture.

3) Students will use survey, interview, observation, interaction, and analysis to understand how the areas in #2 have led to Copenhagen becoming a sustainable city.

Sunday, May 31, at USM’s Portland campus – Students get instruction from Eklou and I about sustainability. research methods, and project management (8-hours and includes lunch).

  • Monday, June 1, in downtown Portland – Students conduct sustainability audits and research in Portland to get a sense of where the city is at and areas for improvement.
  • Tuesday, June 2, we will travel to Copenhagen.
  • Wednesday, June 3 thru Tuesday, June 9, we will conduct research in Copenhagen. 
  • Wednesday, June 10, we will travel back to Maine.
  • Thursday, June 11, at USM’s Portland campus – Students will summarize and assess their findings and develop their final presentation. (8-hours and includes lunch)
  • Friday, June 12, at USM’s Portland campus – Students will present their work to the School of Business, MEIF, Chamber of Commerce, and Portland City Government.

Faculty

Eklou Amendah

Dr. Eklou Romaric Amendah is a professor of marketing at University of Southern Maine. He specifically teaches marketing, consumer behavior and marketing research courses. Dr. Amendah is a passionate researcher. His research focuses on technology in marketing, branding, retail strategies, consumer perception of healthcare services, sport management and cooperative development.

Richard Bilodeau

Professor Bilodeau teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in entrepreneurship, creative strategies, design thinking, business sustainability, and marketing. He is an entrepreneur who is a partner in two growing businesses (one in the direct marketing and the other in television production and research). He also has an active consulting practice with clients located in the United States, Canada, and Europe. In addition to his teaching, Professor Bilodeau oversees USM’s Center for Entrepreneurship, is the Interim Director of the Center for Economic and Business Research, is the Faculty Chair of the Hussey Leadership Institute, and serves on the Honors Faculty Council. Professor Bilodeau’s current research focuses on the role our neurobiology plays in our creative and business decision-making and design thinking process. He also studies practice models for innovation, sustainability, resilience, and leadership.

Tuition and Fees

The approximate program fee is still pending. Tuition and fees will be charged at the in-state rate ($1215.00) and are in addition to the program fee. All participants on USM travel programs receive the in-state tuition rate regardless of residency.

The program fee includes:  accommodation, airfare, in country ground transportation, academic site visits and entrance fees

Not included in the program fee: cost of tuition, fees, books, academic supplies, meals, and other personal expenses.

Application

The application deadline is February 25, 2026. Pre-requisites for the course are: at least 15 college credits hours at USM, a minimum GPA of 2.0 and sophomore standing. Students should have a valid passport.

A complete application includes all of the following:

  1. Submit the program application form
    • We recommend looking over the application before completing it so you have all parts ready, as unfortunately you cannot save as you go.
  2. A letter of recommendation from a faculty member or academic advisor
  3. Copy of academic transcript
    • Information regarding requesting a transcript can be found here (It’s probably easiest to either follow the steps for “Electronic Delivery” or “Unofficial Transcript via Classic MaineStreet” and either way, send to Kimberly Sinclair (ksinc@maine.edu)

Once the application committee has reviewed applications, you will be notified of acceptance via email. At that time, all students accepted to the program will be asked to submit a $300 nonrefundable deposit and will be enrolled in the course in MaineStreet by a staff member in the Office of International Programs.