According to Ladbrook, the global program is a valuable experience for anyone \u2013 and especially for online students. As a distance learner, she particularly enjoyed the opportunity to explore Munich with other students in Poole College.

\u201cOne of the highlights from the trip was interacting with other students in-person. Wandering around and taking in the sights with the group was amazing, and it was such a great way to get to know others that I would have never interacted with otherwise,\u201d she says. \u201cI also loved the group dinners \u2013 the food was delicious and it was so fun to hang out with other students from different backgrounds and professions. I didn\u2019t realize how much I valued those connections until this trip. They really brought the university experience to life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James Daily, another MMA student and trip participant, agrees.

\u201cAlthough working at my own pace online has been fun, nothing beats meeting new people \u2013 and it was such a fun bunch of interesting people. We all got along immediately and took in all we could while in Munich. From drinking a liter of Hofbrauhaus beer in Marienplatz to hiking up the hill near Olympiastadion, there were definitely enough people to always have a group wherever you went,\u201d he says. \u201cOur meals were definitely what brought us closer together because you could always sit next to someone new, cheer while making eye contact and yell, \u2018Prost!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe really bonded as a family,\u201d adds MMA student Vicente Jimenez. \u201cFrom the outset, I didn't know any of my colleagues personally, but as the trip progressed, we developed strong bonds of trust and camaraderie. The instant and seamless connection we shared allowed us to look out for one another during our travels and visits. What\u2019s more, I genuinely believe I have made lifelong friends through this experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gaining insight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Beyond sharing memorable experiences and building camaraderie, the students appreciated the opportunity to expand their perspectives through global immersion and interaction with one another.

\u201cEveryone on the trip came from different backgrounds, which made our discussions with the different companies we visited so much more diverse and eye-opening. I also learned a lot of valuable advice from other students that I will be able to apply to my career,\u201d Ladbrook says.

According to Jimenez, the overall experience was beneficial for personal growth as well.

\u201cThe value of this international trip is not only to learn about new technologies but also learn about other geographies, cultures and traditions. The more I travel, the more I can compare and contrast other points of view with my previous approach. This helps me to have a broader view that not only helps me in business, but also gives me a different perspective of life,\u201d he says. \u201cI like to be out of my comfort zone and this was an excellent opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning up-close<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As part of the trip, students had the opportunity to visit several different companies \u2013 including EY, Cleonis, Hyves, Siemens and BMW \u2013 to learn about how they are driving innovation forward.

\u201cMy desire to learn about new technologies and their uses in marketing innovation was what motivated me to take this journey,\u201d Jimenez says. \u201cMy company is committed to bringing innovation to market with the tools I\u2019ve learned throughout the MMA program, and it\u2019s important for me to explore new possibilities and opportunities within the company to help foster innovation and digital transformation.\u201d

\u201cI had the priceless chance to observe how businesses use modern tools to speed up the innovation process throughout the trip. I got to see how businesses leverage artificial intelligence and learned firsthand how data mining systems can efficiently acquire important information \u2013 which can help organizations make better business decisions and enhance the overall customer experience,\u201d he continues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another plus, Ladbrook says, is that many of the companies spoke with transparency and candor \u2013 which helped shed additional light about the challenges that come with innovation.

\u201cThey gave us real answers about what was going on in the company, without glossing over the facts. I learned a lot of valuable lessons from them that I will apply in my professional life,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making memories<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In addition to visiting several different organizations, students had the opportunity to take in Munich\u2019s traditions, cuisine, history and architecture. They also visited Freising \u2013 a historic town in Bavaria, Germany known for the historic Saint Mary and Corbinian Cathedral and Weihenstephan, the oldest operating brewery in the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe architecture views in Munich were quite literally one in a million and having a tour guide that understands the city\u2019s history was the biggest plus of all. I\u2019ve never really been a nerd for history, but Michael, our tour guide, made the stories so dramatic by using different voices and picking students out of the crowd to act as famous figures of the city\u2019s history,\u201d Daily says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur visit to Freising was by far the most fun we had. Not only was it Ascension Day and tons of families were out and about, but we ended up going to Di\u00f6zesanmuseum, which was featuring a James Turrell installment,\u201d he continues.

Looking back, the three students agree that every aspect of the experience was enjoyable and impactful \u2013 and say they would recommend the course to anyone.

\u201cI can honestly say that I would not change a thing about the whole experience,\u201d Ladbrook says. \u201cThe only downside to the whole trip was that it ended too soon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out these photos from the trip:<\/p>\n\n\n\n