K-State marketing course provides students with spring break study abroad opportunity exposing aspects of global marketing

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Source: Swinder Janda, 785-532-5439, swinder@k-state.edu
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Note to editor: Stephanie Miller is a graduate of De Soto High School; Karla Martinez is a graduate of Garden City High School; Katie Riniker is a graduate of Rock Creek High School, St. George; and Thomas Brown is a graduate Wichita High School East.
News release prepared by: Katie Schurman, 785-532-2753, schurman@k-state.edu

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

K-STATE MARKETING COURSE PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH SPRING BREAK STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITY EXPOSING ASPECTS OF GLOBAL MARKETING

MANHATTAN -- Swinder Janda, associate professor of marketing, did not just teach Kansas State University students about international marketing from the classroom this semester; Janda took his students abroad to show them firsthand what the industry is all about.

Janda developed an experiential international marketing course for K-State students in the College of Business Administration. He used an integrative approach to blend theory and practice related to international marketing. During the first nine weeks of this spring semester, students learned about key international marketing and international business topics through classroom lectures on the K-State campus. During spring break, Janda accompanied his 21 students to three countries in Europe to expose them to a broad range of international marketing components.

The students traveled to England, Belgium and Germany over nine days. They visited Ogilvy Advertising Agency in London, where they were given an inside look at the global marketing campaign for Unilever Corporation's Dove brand from the professionals who developed it. Students then toured the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, where they were provided an overview of the European Union, its history and current U.S.-European trade relations.

The last stop for the K-Staters was the BMW Corporation headquarters in Munich, Germany. Students toured the manufacturing plant, learning about the major steps in the manufacturing process and were given an overview of the evolution of the BMW brand.

"This trip allows marketing students to get a literal view of the international marketing scene in a short span of time," Janda said. "Not only were they exposed to several facets of marketing -- including advertising and branding -- they were exposed to several cultures as well. A study abroad opportunity such as this helps to round out a student's education and can be an essential part of developing an internationally astute professional in today's contemporary global business world."

Fifty-eight College of Business Administration students, a record high for the college, studied abroad during the spring 2007 semester. Janda will teach this marketing course and escort another group of students abroad during spring break in 2008. Enrollment for the 2008 course will begin in August and interested students may contact Janda at swinder@k-state.edu for more information.

Students who went on the spring 2007 trip included:

Stefani Brand, senior in marketing, Colwich; Kaley Auston, junior in marketing, and Leah Ost, senior in marketing, both of Great Bend.

From Greater Kansas City: Leisha Harrison, senior in marketing, Leawood; Stephanie Lavin, junior in marketing, Prairie Village; and Thomas Treacy, junior in pre-professional business administration, Shawnee.

From Manhattan: Thomas Brown, junior in finance; Lan-Lung Chiang, graduate student in business administration; Megan Coovert, senior in management information systems; Tamer Hijleh, senior in marketing; Sarah Kruse, sophomore in hotel restaurant management; Karla Martinez, senior in marketing; Stephanie Miller, senior in marketing; Jitsuya Murahashi, senior in management; Shang-Yu Yang, graduate student in business administration; and Yuuki Yasukawa, senior in management.

Andrea Geist, senior in marketing, Plevna; Briena Engelken, senior in marketing, Seneca; and Katie Riniker, senior in marketing, Wamego.

From out-of-state: Jennifer Porter, senior in marketing, Minnetonka, Minn.; and Stacey Pryal, senior in marketing, Hastings, Neb.