For University of Nebraska–Lincoln senior Jordan Horky, choosing to major in international business wasn’t just an academic decision. It was a step toward fulfilling a lifelong desire for adventure and cultural exploration.

Born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, Horky originally dreamed of leaving Nebraska for college. Yet, the prospect of having a lot of student loans led her to stay close to home.

“Growing up, I felt limited in Lincoln. It is the same food, same sports, same people, same place. I had such a strong desire to leave the state, but if I did, it meant taking out student loans,” she said. “Looking back, I am grateful to have been forced into that position. Nebraska has been nothing short of what I wanted to get out of my four years as an undergraduate.”

Horky’s path wasn’t without challenges. Early struggles with grades and general education courses forced her to refocus.

“I needed that reality check, and I quickly realized that if I wanted to succeed in my career, I needed to start right then and there. That is precisely what I did, and I have not looked back,” she said.

She chose to dive into all the International Business Program offers. Through a combination of academics, study abroad programs, language studies and international internships, the program prepares students like Horky to become well-rounded, globally minded business leaders.

After her first year of college, she landed an out-of-state sales and marketing internship with Aptive Environmental. The opportunity led to her spending the summer in Ann Arbor and Detroit, Michigan.

“I learned more than I ever thought possible that summer,” she said. “While that internship helped me realize I do not enjoy the sales aspect of business, it introduced me to the marketing side. When I got back to school, I declared an emphasis in marketing within my international business major.”

Her ambition culminated in an unforgettable study abroad semester in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where she not only adapted to a new culture but also deepened her understanding of global business practices.

“I know that my career will take me to Europe, so I wanted to go elsewhere,” she said. “The second I looked into Thailand—with its culture, landscape and wildlife—I was hooked. I had to go there.”

Richard Fishler, academic advisor and international business coordinator, said studying abroad in Thailand is just one example of how she took a leap toward growth.

“Studying and interning in an unfamiliar country, Jordan experienced a range of different cultural practices, got to know a whole community of people and explored the important work of impact-driven enterprises in Thailand,” Fishler said. “Taking a broad range of classes tailored to her interests both here and abroad, she got to apply what she was learning in her courses to her internship experience.”

Through coursework and an internship at the Center for Social Impact at Payap University while abroad, she gained hands-on experience in learning the Thai language, digital marketing and social entrepreneurship. Her work involved building a database of socially responsible businesses in the area, a task that underscored her passion for combining business with purpose.

“Social Entrepreneurship was the best course I have taken in my life,” she shared. “The class happened to be taught by my boss at my internship. I learned about the world of social businesses and the differences between nonprofits, corporate social responsibility, socially responsible businesses and much more. We got to design our own social business model, and my model was a marketing firm representing businesses maintaining corporate social responsibility and then planned to use profits to offer discounting marketing services to nonprofits.”

Horky’s time abroad was transformative, offering both personal growth and professional insights.

“I learned to live in the present. I put myself out of my comfort zone, and in turn, the universe gave me new knowledge and beautiful experiences,” she said. “This winter, I was invited to speak about my time in Thailand for a Lunar New Year celebration at the university. I was grateful for the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate one of the most meaningful experiences of my life!”

As she looks toward graduation in May, Horky plans to move to Chicago to pursue a career in international marketing for social enterprises or the travel industry, or in international trade.

Fishler shared how her decision to embrace the many opportunities offered through the international business program has prepared her to make an impact as a Husker alum.

“Choosing an entirely different culture to study abroad encouraged her to step outside her comfort zone. Through her coursework, she's been able to develop new career interests and see global business challenges from multiple perspectives,” he said. “With this mindset and her ability to thrive in the uncomfortable, her growth potential is unlimited.”