How Albert Pallarès Solé Turns International Trade Experience Into Compelling Business Education at ESEI
When students walk into Albert Pallarès Solé’s classroom at ESEI Business School, they quickly realise this is not a place for passive learning. Theory is present, but it is constantly brought back to reality through stories, questions and situations drawn from his more than 25 years of international trade experience.
As he explains, his professional life has always centred on helping companies cross borders: “I always say this has been my job for 25 years, to show them, teach them, and go by the hand and help them to sell in foreign markets.” That experience now forms the backbone of the subjects he teaches at ESEI, from Global Business Environment and International Negotiation to Digital Marketing, Business Organisations, Import Export and Global Sourcing.
A Practical Teaching Philosophy Rooted in Experience
For Albert, what students truly value is not content they could easily find online, but insight into what business really looks like in practice. He often reminds them that “content is all over the place. You can find it wherever you want and it is better than ever. What students want when they come to a school is to know about your personal experience.”
His classes therefore revolve around real situations he has faced, from negotiating with distributors abroad to managing teams and navigating cultural differences in international markets.
This belief shapes how his sessions are structured. A short lecture is followed by a case study, and in the following class students must defend their decisions. The emphasis is not on repeating information, but on reasoning, argument and confidence. As he tells them, “what really matters is how you defend it.” Students are expected to justify their thinking under questioning, mirroring the dynamics of real business meetings and negotiations.
Skills That Last Beyond the Classroom
Beyond business knowledge, Albert focuses on developing three essential abilities that students will carry into their professional lives.
Active Listening
Active listening, in Albert’s view, is an essential soft skill. At the start of presentations, he asks students to put away their laptops and phones because, as he says, he wants “to see the tables clear.” This is not simply about classroom discipline. He connects it directly to their future careers, explaining that “when you are in a meeting and your boss is talking for an hour, you better listen. Because at the end of the meeting, your boss will expect you to do whatever that is. And if you have any doubt, you better ask.” Learning to listen carefully and ask questions is, for him, a professional necessity.
Asking Questions
Albert believes that students studying international marketing, business or negotiation should naturally be full of curiosity. As he tells them, “if you are studying international marketing, you should have 1,000 questions, not one.” For him, asking questions is a sign that students are engaged, thinking and processing what they hear. By encouraging them to ask relevant questions after every presentation, he strengthens their confidence, critical thinking and ability to engage in meaningful discussion.
Forming an Opinion
Albert also challenges students to develop and express their own perspectives on business realities and global events. He regularly invites them to share what they think about current situations because, as he explains, he wants them “to have that critical thinking” and “to have an opinion.” This habit of reflecting, analysing and articulating a viewpoint prepares students to contribute actively and confidently in professional environments where thoughtful input is valued.
Enjoyment and Engagement
Despite the rigour of his approach, Albert insists that learning should be enjoyable. He often shares advice inspired by Johan Cruyff, the legendary coach of FC Barcelona, reminding students that they “have to have fun.” For him, enjoyment is not separate from learning. It is what unlocks participation, creativity and confidence in the classroom.
He explains to students that the quality of a session does not depend only on the professor, but on the energy they bring into the room. When students relax, engage and allow themselves to participate fully, the dynamic of the class changes. Ideas flow more freely, presentations become more original and discussions become richer.
As he puts it, “when they have fun, the class is going to be 300 times better.” This belief shapes the atmosphere of his sessions, where students feel comfortable contributing, experimenting with their ideas and learning through active involvement rather than passive note taking.
Preparation for a Global Future
Through this combination of lived experience, interaction and practical challenges, Albert Pallarès Solé creates a classroom environment that reflects the realities of international business. Students do not simply learn concepts. They practise how to think, how to listen, how to ask and how to defend their ideas with confidence.
For those preparing for global careers, this approach offers more than academic knowledge. It offers a way of thinking and engaging with the world that extends far beyond the classroom at ESEI.
Explore ESEI’s Programmes
👉If you’re considering starting your own journey in Barcelona, explore ESEI’s Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes and see how we can support you on your study abroad journey.
You may also like
How to Balance Work and Studies Effectively
How to Prepare for Your First Semester Studying Abroad
