class doing homework and preparing for the next day of lectures. While academics were a major part of the trip, the group also made time for leisure activities. In Papenburg, Germany, the group toured MeyerWerft, a 200-year-old shipyard and one of the world’s leading builders of luxury ocean cruisers. Here, the students learned about business from the standpoint of a sixth-generation German family business. In Amsterdam the students visited the historic Rijksmuseum, where they viewed and learned more about the works of famous artists, such as Van Gogh and Rembrandt. On another weekend, the group explored Schiermonnikoog Island in the northern Netherlands. “Schiermonnikoog had a huge beach that was filled with activities, from sand castles to kite surfing. That island provided a great break from the hustle of class,” Banowetz said. In a span of three weeks, “The Hanze Seven” explored the Netherlands and learned about business in a country that many consider one of the world’s financial hubs. But for these seven UCM honors students, the defining moment was yet to come. Each student worked on a team during the course. The task was to create and develop a marketing plan for a product that would improve lives. With their product and plan in hand, each team then entered the “Dragon’s Den,” similar to the popular American television show, “Shark Tank.” This contest tested each student’s public speaking and messaging skills. The winning team then pitched its idea to van Houten. Ward’s team won the honor to make the pitch. Their idea was to use UVC lighting in subways, schools, hospitals and other high traffic areas to stop the spread
of germs. By the end of the competition, van Houten picked their team for its winning product idea. “We all learned so much from this experience,” said junior Kayla Hockersmith. “After the winning team was chosen, we got to talk directly with the CEO and learned a lot about his successful career.” All of the students started and ended their days together at Hanze University. Riding bikes, attending lectures and experiencing Dutch meals as a group made this collection of strangers a close-knit bunch. By the end of the experience, each student was more prepared academically and professionally for the competitive global marketplace. Guier explained, “The trip was generally very challenging for me and pushed you to your limits. But, I learned so much about international business, and I’m already using it in my classes.” Dean Lewandowski hopes to expand the initiative to include two study programs for the 2014 summer semester at Hanze University. One program will emphasize European business, culture and politics, while the other will focus on applied and fine arts and technology. Both programs will be four weeks in length and offer high impact learning experiences. He hopes that UCM alumni and friends will once again provide the financial support needed through their gifts to the UCM Foundation. For “The Hanze Seven,” those gifts proved an ideal way to cultivate a worldly perspective and have a direct impact on their lives. “This study program helped me realize that the world is a little bit bigger than everyone makes it out to be,” Banowetz said, “and there are a lot more places to explore.”
University of Central Missouri | today
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