In the United States, college sport is a major industry that can launch the careers of talented athletes. Danish student Diana Nielsen knows all about that. She completed an internship at Southeast Missouri State University, where her role was to generate as much excitement and attention as possible around the university’s sports teams.
“We produced a lot of content for social media. We were also the ones out in the arena during breaks, throwing T-shirts into the crowd,” Diana explains.
The internship lasted three months while Diana was studying for her Academy Profession Degree in Marketing Management at the IBA International Business Academy in Kolding.
“It was sad when it came to an end. Fortunately, I still receive emails from the people there because they miss me. That makes me really happy.”
The internship had not been part of the original plan when she left Denmark. Initially, Diana intended only to complete a study abroad semester at Southeast Missouri State University, one of the many universities that partner with the IBA.
“My semester abroad flew by. As it was coming to an end, I decided to apply for an internship as well so I could stay over there for longer,” she explains.
That decision led to her working with the marketing and promotion of college sports on campus.
Today, her time in the United States remains a treasured memory, while Diana has continued her studies at the IBA. She still has an international focus, as she is now studying for a Bachelor’s Degree in International Sales and Marketing.
“I’ve built a lot of international connections during my time as a student. That means I now have friends in many different countries. Later on, those relationships could become an important professional network. You never know what people will go on to do once they graduate,” she says.
Diana’s most recent international experience with the IBA was a one-week study trip to Budapest, where her group worked on sustainability within the tourism and hospitality industries.
“If you have an international spark – as I do – then the IBA is a fantastic place to study. It’s quite unique to have so many opportunities to meet people from other countries and to travel abroad during your studies. My advice would simply be: go for it.”
