Translation ‘Never again is now!’ Banner hanging from a Leipzig Theatre tied to a Holocaust remembrance in Leipzig, Germany.
As a Business Badger at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, I’ve worked to gain the most experience I can across all of my interests.
I’m triple majoring in marketing, supply chain management, and operations and technology management in the Wisconsin School of Business. I’m also vice president of the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee, co-vice president of outreach for Women Impacting Supply Chain Excellence (WISE), and operating chief officer for the Black Power Coalition.
With all these responsibilities, finding time for a full semester abroad felt almost impossible. Choosing a short-term study abroad program allowed me to gain invaluable global experience without stepping away from the campus communities and leadership roles I care so much about.
SEEING BUSINESS IN ACTION IN GERMANY
During my trip, I traveled to Germany to explore the global supply chain of the automotive industry. We visited Berlin, Dresden, and Leipzig, touring major companies like Porsche, DHL, GlobalFoundries, and 4Flow. But this trip was more than company visits; I was also able to tour HTW Dresden University, visit Stolpen Castle, and freely explore each city we visited. Through it all, my biggest takeaway from my time abroad was learning how heavily business practices are anchored in cultural context.
In past classes, we spent hours analyzing business strategies and operations, but seeing them play out in a foreign market showed how much subtle nuances matter. Observing local supply chains and comparing them to a larger, more global scale supply chain, you’re able to see the difference in communication and management styles. I realized adaptability and cultural intelligence aren’t just corporate buzzwords, they are essential tools for good leadership. Having seen how the economy functions helped me gain better insights into global trade, more than I ever could have learned from a textbook.
Azuri Lawson and friend (Emma Reismann) in front of the River Elbe in Dresden, Germany.
AN EXPERIENCE THAT SHAPED MY UNDERGRAD AND FUTURE
It all seemed to click when I returned to school and resumed my classes at Grainger Hall. The business cases and marketing courses I was taking now had faces, structure, and geography. I was better able to contribute to my class discussions by using my own observations. Not only did this experience change my classroom perspective, it helped me develop my professional networking skills that I’ve used in interviews and during my internship. Beyond foundational business analysis, I’ve developed a versatile skill set for navigating complex and unfamiliar situations.
My study abroad experience changed the rest of my undergraduate years into an experience designed for my global career.
Choosing a short-term study abroad program provided key benefits. I was more focused on my classes, organization commitments, summer internships, and jobs, so leaving that and my family for a whole semester felt intimidating. I wanted to experience global travel with my classmates, making short-term study abroad perfect for me.
Once I heard about the global experience abroad with the Grainger Center for Supply Chain Management, I knew it was the perfect fit. This opportunity allowed me to study abroad during a campus break, fitting seamlessly into my four-year plan.
Azuri and friend (Alise Anaya) in front of the Berlin Cathedral in Berlin, Germany.
ADVICE TO BUSINESS BADGERS CONSIDERING STUDYING ABROAD
If you’re sitting in Grainger Hall contemplating whether or not to study abroad, here is my advice for making the most of the opportunity:
- Figure out your why: Is it for networking? Traveling? Exploring business? Knowing your why helps you pick the right study abroad program. Once you figure that out it will help you filter through all the study abroad opportunities out there.
- Ask around: Go to the study abroad fairs that interest you. Talk to students that went abroad and hear their experiences and their whys.
- Embrace uncertainty: It’s OK to be nervous. This is a big decision, but embrace the unknown and challenge yourself to do something you’ve never done before.
Studying abroad is easily one of the most rewarding parts of my time at UW–Madison. If you’re on the fence, take the leap. It’s an experience that pays off long after you return.
Azuri Lawson (BBA ’27) is a senior at the Wisconsin School of Business at UW–Madison. She is triple-majoring in marketing, supply chain management, and operations and technology management. She is vice president of the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee, co-vice president of outreach for Women Impacting Supply Chain Excellence (WISE), and operating chief officer for the Black Power Coalition.
Instagram Handle: _zuri_10
LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/azuri-lawson-477b1628a
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