Study Abroad Ambassadors –
Their WHU experience, in their words.
Having experienced a semester or year abroad at WHU, our Study Abroad Ambassadors are a valuable point of contact for international students considering studying at WHU on exchange, or looking to study full-time. Our Study Abroad Ambassadors are happy to offer advice and answer questions based on any concerns you may have about studying abroad. WHU is an inclusive and welcoming community consisting of a diverse mix of cultures and languages. Students from all over the world experience the ‘WHU spirit’ and sense of community, but our Study Abroad Ambassadors can tell you their own personal reasons and stories about how they found their way to WHU.
Read on to discover what they loved about their time at WHU, the connections they made, and the friendships they will never forget!
BSc/MSc Study Abroad Ambassadors
"Being an exchange student at WHU has brought me great joy and happiness. The WHU community has been incredibly supportive, and the positive energy and camaraderie on campus have made me feel like a part of the family. Through this experience, I have gained a better understanding of my values and beliefs, as well as those of others. I feel truly lucky to have been a part of such a wonderful community, and I am grateful for the memories and lessons learned during my time here."
"I had a great experience with my time at WHU. The campus is very tight knit and is located within a wonderful region of Germany. I loved getting to know all of my fellow students and having the opportunity to go to lectures in a foreign country. WHU did a great job integrating me within the campus and with my fellow exchange students, some of whom became very good friends. The flexible schedule of campus life also gave me time to explore Europe and travel to many new countries and cities. I would recommend WHU to anyone passionate about Business that wants to spend time in a place that may be outside their comfort zone."
"Being on exchange at WHU Germany has been an amazing experience. Being on an Erasmus exchange in my bachelors opened up so many opportunities to immerse myself in Germany’s rich culture as well as the WHU community. I have met many passionate students who are excited about their careers and have an amazing college spirit unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.
From the parties to the amazing networking events, and organised trips, there is so much to see and learn. The students and staff are all incredibly helpful and considerate, and the college spares no expense in helping you integrate and feel more at home during your time here.The wide range of classes have a focus on practical teaching that leave you with a chance for skill development as well as subject matter knowledge. One of the highlights of my exchange experience was the incredible boat party, which was an opportunity to meet and socialise with many students from different backgrounds.
Overall, this exchange program has been a great opportunity for personal growth, learning, and cultural immersion. I am grateful for the support from both Trinity College Dublin and WHU that made this opportunity possible. I have gained a greater appreciation for different cultures and a better understanding of the global community, and I would highly recommend an exchange experience to any student looking to broaden their horizons."
"When I decided to spend my fall semester abroad at WHU, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. However, I was eager to embrace all the new experiences that awaited me, and my time in Vallendar exceeded all my expectations. The first few weeks were so incredible that I decided to apply to stay for the winter semester too. Over both semesters, I had the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world, immerse myself in German culture, and visit over 13 countries.
One of the things that impressed me most about WHU was the engaging courses, seminars, and other events and parties that were always happening on campus. I never felt bored or uninspired during my time there. The whole experience left me feeling more confident, independent, and culturally aware.
Overall, I would highly recommend WHU to anyone looking for a truly life-changing study abroad experience. It's a place where you can grow both academically and personally, make new friends from all over the globe, and have unforgettable adventures along the way."
"Choosing to go on exchange to WHU was by far one of the best decisions I have made. It felt as though we were immediately welcomed into the community with open arms, with anything we needed already in place. I loved having the chance to meet amazing people from around the world, practice my language skills, immerse myself in German culture and benefit from engaging classes with passionate professors. I truly made memories to last a lifetime and count myself lucky having been able to spend an amazing semester at WHU surrounded by incredible people. I felt right at home at WHU and if I was offered the chance to do it all over again, I would choose WHU a thousand times over."
"The WHU spirit and pride is something hard to find anywhere else, and in Vallendar there is such a special community. I enjoyed every day spent here, and at the end of this experience I would like to not go back home. It was an amazing time; people are very friendly and always ready to help and include you in their parties! There are always lots of events and different things to do; my favorite was the Tauschie dinner and the Tauschie Tuesday, where I had the opportunity to feel like a full-time student. The quality of the lessons is very high and professors are very prepared and ready to answer any questions. There’s nothing I don’t like about WHU and about the time spent here. I really hope I can come back to Vallendar one day and visit all the amazing people I know here!"
"Studying abroad, ultimately, was the bridge between the familiar and the unknown. It was suspended by two starkly different phases – dependence and independence, and work and play. WHU provided a smooth gradient between these two periods. Coming from Indiana, I enjoyed the time spent with my peers. Although I savor these friendships, all our activities were shared: We attended the same classes, enjoyed the same local activities, and ate at the same restaurants. And there’s nothing wrong with that. However, going out of the country was the perfect opportunity to gain a cosmopolitan outlook through the people around me. It was a way to live out other upbringings through the experiences I would share with new friends.
The VIP and WHU buddy program stroke the perfect balance between my professional development and cultural immersion. These programs introduced me to events such as the New Year and Private Equity finance conferences while also organized outings such as the Tauschie dinner for social support. Furthermore, pairings with the upperclassmen who were familiar with the town for daily chop-ups were a great way to integrate and create new experiences with newly formed friends."
"I have spent 9 months at WHU as an exchange student from Japan. This exchange program gave me special memories with international friends from all over the world. I met new people here through the Tauschie and International events which helped me to expand my perspective. Also, I really liked the courses. There are many opportunities where we can output things that we learn, and during group work we can cooperate with other students who have different cultural backgrounds. Germany is far away from Japan, and I hadn't been to Europe, so most of the things that I saw here were new to me. I really enjoyed this adventure at WHU and I would like to recommend you to come here and enjoy a memorable time in the international environment."
"All of the courses of WHU are insightful and diverse. There are also many interesting seminars and events that are both academic and socially beneficial. I personally enjoy its finance courses, which are up-to-date and the professors are extremely experienced. WHU is definitely one of the best business schools and I feel really lucky to have this experience."
MBA Study Abroad Ambassadors
"Studying abroad is a common experience during undergraduate studies in the United States, however, I never had the opportunity to do so. Coming to WHU was an opportunity to finally have this experience. From the moment I came to campus, I felt very welcomed by the MBA program office as well as the other students. The school also provided ample resources to me and the other exchange students to make sure we were comfortable navigating WHU, Düsseldorf, and the surrounding areas. Finally, the classroom experience has been a unique change from my home school, which allowed me to see learning in a new context."
"I chose WHU because of its stellar ranking, entrepreneurial environment, and the central location of the Dusseldorf campus - and it really paid off! The school has excellent facilities, faculty, and the best and brightest students from across the world. Their curriculum integrates modern business principles and tools and the academic office makes every effort to help you build your customized academic plan to fit your exchange schedule.
WHU's integration efforts like the Cologne cathedral and brewery tours and exploring the Dusseldorf Altstadt really helped me integrate into the multi-cultural Dusseldorf society. Overall, my experience has been 11/10 and I'd recommend an exchange term at WHU in a heartbeat!"
"As someone who worked in Operations and Supply chain, WHU was one of my top choices for an exchange program. The spirit and curriculum of WHU is unique and student friendly. I had a wonderful time while studying here and, in my interactions with my peers and the faculty. There are multiple events both cultural and academic. There is so much to do here, and the school's enthusiasm is profound. The exchange program gave me an opportunity to interact with students of at least 12 nationalities. The classes were fun and engaging. The eminent professors ensure to impart the best learning experiences. This program helped me develop better networking opportunities, provide a global outlook on business development and a fun filled term with lifelong friendships."
"WHU not only provided an amazing academic and cultural experience through it's fantastic professors and flexible scheduling that allow exploring, but also the opportunity to make lifelong friends and connections. I bonded with fellow exchange students more than expected. I feel that choosing my exchange to be at WHU is one of the best decisions I've made!"
"WHU has been a delightful experience. I came here for an exchange semester with the idea of making the most of the opportunity. WHU offers a wide range of core courses and electives. I took a total of 8 courses and each of them was holistic in terms of content. The focus on practical application, learning from case studies, and working in groups were highly enjoyable. My personal favorite was the Mid-term strategy challenge, where teams competed against each in a multiple-round business game simulation. It was indeed a hands-on learning experience in strategy formulation, execution, and decision-making. Moreover, I thoroughly enjoyed the enriching in-class discussions and coffee chats with students from a highly distinguished cohort."
"WHU Dusseldorf has been a fantastic experience with welcoming staff, friendly cohort, and amazing professors. There are even resident swans on campus! Dusseldorf, although relatively small, is a centrally located city on the river with plenty of great food and fun. The location also allows easy travel across Europe. I have been really enjoying my time here both academically and for leisure!"
"There are too many perks to being an exchange student here at WHU. WHU is home to many entrepreneurs and professionals. The flexibility here was one of its kind and gave students the freedom to take as many courses taught by outstanding professors that worked with anyone's schedule. My experiences were beyond expectation and incredible. Feel free to contact me if you need a confidence boost to start your next journey at WHU!"
"My experience at WHU has been phenomenal. In terms of academic aspects, I liked the dynamic approach of the professors. In one of the courses, we employed ChatGPT, which was released just a few weeks before the course. The administration and MBA office staff really are supportive, even helping me practice my German. The Exchange office organized Düsseldorf and Köln (Cologne) city tours, which are great onboarding experiences to know the local culture. Another thing to be appreciated about the campus is its central location in Western Europe. One can take a train anytime and you’re in a different country in a few hours."
"MBA Exchange is a great way to experience a new culture, meet new people, travel, and grow. I chose WHU because of its reputation and location in Europe. I had never been to Europe before, so living and studying in Düsseldorf (Germany) for 4 months during the Fall 2022 semester was amazing. Germany is the center of Europe and offers so much to explore. The constant support from the IR & MBA offices, the quality of professors & students, and the frequent career & social events made my experience even richer. I liked studying Private Equity, Entrepreneurial Finance, Negotiations, and Family Business courses. Additionally, I enjoyed learning German and traveling to nearby countries. Overall, I am pretty happy with my decision to come to WHU and recommend that future MBA students consider it."
