Groningen Management Games

As part of the Sports and Event Management department at Coventry University, I have had the opportunity to travel with classmates to two different management games. Management games are week-long competitions of various sports and event management related tasks among groups of students. My first management games was at Center Parcs in England with third year students. During these games, I was part of the faculty for my internship helping with the organization and grading.

This last week I attended the Groningen Management Games in The Netherlands. These games involved students from over 12 countries, mainly from Coventry University, Groningen University and Cologne University. The tasks at this event involved the Bupa Great North Run. We wrote job descriptions, organized new side-events, presented strategic plans, recorded promotional videos, debated, and much more. Along with the various tasks each day, every team joined in on a volleyball tournament. Instead of being on the faculty side, I joined a student team to execute the tasks. All of the other students at these games were receiving credit for their time. There was very little motivation for myself to work hard because I wasn't receiving any credit for my work or participation there. Yet, many of the tasks were very interesting to me and it reminded me of Deca/BPA in a way. My team was made up of four students from Groningen and myself. It was so great to work with them and discuss the differences among our cultures. They taught me some Dutch phrases and suggested many things to do and things to eat during my time in Groningen. They spoke very good English, but I ended up having to write a lot of our work due to my English background. Although we didn't win any prizes, we passed the week with flying colors and it was great to apply what I have been learning at university!!

Group 14: Anouk, Hessel, myself, Judith and Iris 

Beyond the hard work that we put in throughout the week, we also had free time to explore the town and meet other international students. Groningen was absolutely beautiful!! There weren't any major attractions, but every where you went it was just stunning! We ventured to the football stadium, one of the red light districts, the main square of Groningen, many markets, and just throughout the streets. We met so many lovely people!

Joey, myself, Bailey, Adam and Zane out to dinner

When we were getting ready to leave, everywhere throughout the Netherlands was preparing for King's Night and King's Day, a national celebration. I wish we could have stayed the weekend to enjoy the festivities!! It reminded me of America's Fourth of July a bit. There were concerts and festivals being set up everywhere and everyone was wearing orange. I would love to attend this event someday! Amsterdam is also on my to do list for the future!

Center Parcs Elveden Forest

Today I returned back home to Coventry from a week at Center Parcs Elveden Forest. It was a wonderful week, but I am exhausted!

Elveden Forest is set in over 400 acres of forest in Suffolk, England. Being at Center Parcs was a wonderful glimpse of home, Minnesota. We even saw a baby dear! Beyond the beautiful outdoor landscape, Center Parcs included a Village Square, Subtropical Swimming Paradise, Sports Plaza, Golf Course, Adventure High Ropes Course, and much more!

This trip was run through the SEM (sport & event management) department as a requirement for third year students. The five of us American exchange students had the opportunity to join in on the fun! There were about 70 students on the trip. Each morning the students received tasks to be completed and on the last day there were presentations summarising the weeks results. There was also a career development aspect of the trip.

But don't worry, it wasn't all school work! In our free time we enjoyed the Subtropical Swimming Paradise, exploring the hiking trails, and meeting new friends within the SEM department. Bailey and I even took on the challenge of the high ropes course and zip line. There were also a few planned events as a large group including a badminton tournament, a 3 course meal at Cafe Rouge, and bowling. It was a blast!

As the SEM department intern I had the opportunity to help plan for the week. I designed a ten page booklet for all of the students and faculty that included information about the week including accommodations, the weeks schedule, and much more. Also, during the week I didn't complete the tasks, but instead I graded them. That was a nice perk!

Marketing Extroidinare Goes Global

As a Global Business Leadership major, what better way to get a global experience than actually studying and working abroad?!?! The opportunity to study and intern abroad is one of the main reasons I was so passionate about applying to this exchange program between The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University. When applying for this program we were promised the opportunity to study within their Sports & Event Management department as well as gaining experience through a sports marketing & management related internship. I couldn't be more happy with my decision! Sports have always been a very big part of my life and marketing is a passion of mine that I am striving to pursue for my career. This program fit my perfectly and life goals perfectly!

I have truly enjoyed my time so far as a student at Coventry University. It is definitely a change from my university in Minnesota, but that is part of the experience. My three modules this semester are Sports Marketing & Sponsorship, Global Inequality & Development, and Sports Public Relations & Media. Even though it has only been a week and a half of lectures and seminars so far, I can tell that I am going to learn a ton of valuable information moving forward! Within my Sports Marketing & Sponsorship class we have been covering the 4 P's, 8 P's, and 4 C's of marketing as well as other elements of marketing plans and how they correlate with different sports teams and related institutions. Next week we will already be doing a group presentation on our marketing recommendations for the Coventry Jets to increase fan presence and consumption, an American Football Team. 

Along with being a full-time international student at Coventry University and traveling around Europe in our free time, I have also just began a Marketing Internship within the Sports & Event Management department at Coventry University. What can I say, I enjoy being busy! Yesterday I was able to meet many people within the department that I will be working with and outlined many of the projects that I will be working on throughout the semester. The range of experience and knowledge that I will gain through this internship is incredible! I will be aiding in the planning and implementation of various events including an Coventry University Internal Conference, the Coventry Management Games, and the European Sport Management Conference. I will also revamp their department website and their department news source, The Scoop. Other smaller projects will be within the social media realm, creating event pamphlets for Coventry students, planning short trips around Europe for international students, creating an Alumni connection with the Coventry Blaze Hockey Team and Coventry University, and much more.