Bit by the Travel Bug: International Marketing Program Sends UNO MBA Student on a European Adventure

Beneath a medieval church in Košice, Slovakia, Anne Thomas ducked through a narrow stone archway, and walked face-first into a spiderweb. She yelped, then burst into laughter, brushing off the strands before continuing down the steep steps.

At the bottom lay a hidden crypt of dusty tombs, a secret slice of history few tourists ever see. It’s not where you’d expect to find an MBA student studying, but for Thomas., a University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) graduate student with a self-proclaimed travel bug, it was all part of a summer study abroad journey.

Thomas is an MBA student at UNO’s College of Business (CBA) and works as a Graduate Assistant (GA). When she heard about a 12-day study abroad opportunity in an international marketing course, she knew she had to go. After the COVID-19 pandemic canceled her chance to go abroad during undergrad, Thomas jumped at this opportunity to earn course credit while exploring the world.

Cultural Surprises

The group’s itinerary spanned Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary, a trip that blended business visits with cultural immersion, yet still left downtime for some of Anne’s most memorable moments. In Košice, Slovakia a local guide led the students into different sites, from a crypt beneath a church to hidden remnants of the town’s medieval walls.

Meanwhile, Vienna, Austria dazzled her and quickly became her favorite city on the trip, for its sleek, easy-to-navigate charm.

Global Business Lessons

Traveling across continents wasn’t just sightseeing for Thomas and the other students she traveled with. It was a UNO business course conducted internationally, taught through company visits, getting a glimpse behind the scenes, and witnessing first-hand how some of the top businesses in the world work.

"I really appreciated the company visits because they were so hands-on, and we got to see things up close. We visited Volkswagen in Slovakia, went to Webster University in Vienna, and we even went to a dance academy in Budapest. Those visits gave us the chance to see how different businesses run, and it was just so insightful,” said Thomas.

Hearing about employee policies in Europe has already changed Thomas’s outlook on her future career. At Webster, she learned about extensive maternity leave and other benefits. She realized that a healthy work-life balance and strong company culture can matter more to her than a high salary, a “work to live” mindset that was a revelation.

"Honestly, the experience helped me gain so much more perspective. And it really made me realize that, especially in business and career, it’s not just about the money,” said Thomas. “It’s more about what the company culture is like, what their benefits are like. I realized that I care more about the balance between work and life than just salary.”

Encouraging Others

Back in Omaha, Thomas reminds fellow students that studying abroad isn’t just for undergrads. She says the application process was straightforward.

"It wasn’t difficult to apply at all,” said Thomas. “There are study abroad advisors you can meet with to help you, but I didn’t even feel like I needed to use one. I kind of just dove into it and took matters into my own hands."

Her advice? Take advantage of the freedom you have as a student. Unlike full-time employees, college students can travel over summer or winter break without using vacation days, you just have to keep up with your coursework. Thomas is already planning another study abroad before she graduates.

"I would highly encourage other students to study abroad if it’s feasible for them. I think it was one of the best experiences I could have had, and I am already planning on doing another one before I graduate. I love traveling and being able to mix it with learning – it’s just an experience you can’t get from a classroom,” said Thomas.