Danielle Vogel, a business management major from Fairbury, Ill., brought her business and marketing skills to the global stage last summer, earning a coveted spot at the 2024 X-Culture Global Business Symposium at Mae Fah Luang University in Thailand. This exclusive opportunity required excelling in a rigorous virtual competition during the academic year and securing one of just 150 spots available worldwide. For Vogel, the experience was a remarkable academic achievement and a personal milestone—it marked her first time venturing beyond the United States.
As part of the Symposium, Vogel joined an international team that included students from Thailand and Japan to address real international business challenges for actual companies. Her team’s challenge was to develop a business strategy to boost off-season bookings for a hotel company. The CEO and senior leadership of the company even flew in from Japan to watch the team’s presentation and give direct feedback. “My classes at Blackburn really prepared me for this,” Vogel reflected. Her business courses gave her the organization, presentation skills, and confidence needed to be a valued member of the cross-cultural team.
But it wasn’t just the classroom that helped. Vogel also credited Blackburn’s Work Program for shaping her skillset. As a marketing and public relations assistant during her sophomore year, she gained hands-on experience in layout design and photography. Later, she worked in the Athletics department, using her camera skills to photograph events and games. These experiences allowed her to contribute creatively to her group’s final proposal. “Of course, there were language barriers,” she said, “but that was all part of the learning. We each had something unique to offer. I learned so much from my teammates about how students from other cultural backgrounds approach problems.”
As her first experience abroad, Vogel squeezed in time to explore the host country and immersed herself in Thailand’s culture. A significant highlight of her trip was visiting an elephant sanctuary, where she had the unforgettable experience of feeding and swimming with elephants.
Vogel appreciates Blackburn’s student experience fund for making this life-changing opportunity possible. She hopes more students take advantage of class experiences and the available funding. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that shaped me personally and professionally. It made me want to explore and travel to other places around the world. Even our 15-hour flight hasn’t stopped me from wanting to go back.”