WHU
Duration:
2 Weeks
Academic hours:
48
Contact hours of a cultural program
22
Location
Vallendar
Language
English
The Changing Environment for International Business in Europe

Interactive lectures and discussions – Gaining in-depth learning experiences

The WHU MBA European Summer Program comprises a two-week course on 'The Changing Environment for International Business in Europe' on the attractive campus in Vallendar, located just outside of Koblenz in the valley of the Rhine River. The program is designed for MBA students of WHU's partner schools in their second year who are interested in International Business, Finance, and Corporate Strategy. As an alternative to an exchange semester, the program offers a targeted and compact insight into international business in Europe. It offers a well-balanced combination of lectures, group work, company visits, and cultural experiences.

The next program will take place in May 2023, and students may participate in one of two available sessions:
Session 1: May 07 to May 21, 2024 or Session 2: May 12 to May 24, 2024.

The program, directed by Professor Dr. Michael Frenkel, focuses on the following topics:

  1. European Trade Integration and the Euro
  2. Competing in European Markets
  3. European Aspects of Family Business
  4. The Business Tax Environment in Europe
  5. Business Environment and Stratgies of FDI Investors in Central and Eastern Europe
  6. Entrepreneurship from a European Perspective
  7. The Relevance of Family Businesses in Europe
  8. Raising Capital in European Capital Markets


The program is taught in English and comprises 48 academic hours (equivalent to three credits) plus around 22 contact hours of a cultural program (equivalent to two credits). In general, there is no tuition for students enrolled at and nominated by WHU's partner schools (to be confirmed individually). Check if your university is part of our Global Partner Network and find out more about the program costs below.

Faculty Providing academic excellence – WHU’s top-notch international faculty

Our expert faculty is actively engaged in research, allowing us to incorporate the latest relevant findings for the European business world into our curriculum. We also complement our outstanding faculty with relevant international faculty members from our partner schools, as well as lectures, real-life cases, and workshops from top practitioners and subject-matter experts.

Take a look at the faculty profiles of the MBA European Summer Program:

Professor Michael Frenkel
Professor Michael Frenkel
Assistant Professor Julia de Groote
Assistant Professor Julia de Groote
Assistant Professor Lisa Hillmann
Assistant Professor Lisa Hillmann
Professor Sonia Ferencikova
Professor Sonia Ferencikova
Professor Nadine Kammerlander
Professor Nadine Kammerlander
Professor Nic Schaub
Professor Nic Schaub
Professor Jürgen Weigand
Professor Jürgen Weigand

Take the next step – Find out more about registration and payment

Apply by March 1, 2024 to save yourself one of just 47 seats per session. Find out more about the registration process, the program fees and included services.

In their own words – Testimonials from program participants

The MBA European Summer Program offers MBA students from around the world the opportunity to enjoy a tailor-made and in-depth learning experiences in a European business environment. By cooperating with various educational institutions and companies across the continent, we have created a program which greatly benefits the students’ professional futures.

Find out why the MBA European Summer Program is the best choice for you!

Program participants

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Abby Kadane
University of Tampa
USA
"I am so grateful for the opportunity to study at WHU for my last class of my MBA. I gained a whole new perspective by studying a variety of topics from a European perspective and by applying my knowledge from my previous courses. Throughout my time at WHU, I met people from across the globe and learned from them throughout our classes and visits to local companies in the area. It was an amazing experience to explore Germany and other surrounding countries while I was there. This short-term immersive experience was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I would recommend it to any student in their MBA program."
Yulius Setiadi Fariadi
National University of Singapore
Singapore
"Truly transformative and one of the best experiences throughout my MBA journey. The program coordinators did such an excellent job in organizing unique opportunities for participants to immerse in a vibrant and dynamic academic environment. In the span of these two weeks, we learned from 7 different Professors with different subject matter expertise to have a better understanding of the business environment in Europe. The learning experience is set with concept learning, case study, and real application through company visits.

Beyond the classroom, various social activities were arranged for us to immerse in the cultural and picturesque journey of the surrounding areas. I definitely enjoyed the vineyard and brewery visit, city tour, boat ride, castle visit, and many more!"
Efiza Vanniasinghe
Queensland University of Technology
Australia
"The experience and knowledge I have acquired during the MBA ESP has been invaluable. I learnt so much about the European businesses, culture and traditions in just two weeks – I even picked up some of the language and mastered the train system! The program was enjoyable and interesting, both academically and socially. The lecturers are highly knowledgeable and passionate whilst the program managers are attentive and super organised. I get to meet a lot of like-minded people from all over the world and I am sure the connections will go a long way. I am very grateful for the experience and highly recommend others to participate next summer!"
James Stanitz
University of Pittsburgh, Katz Business School
USA
"The two week program was a fantastic opportunity to expand my knowledge on how business works in Europe and more specifically how it works in Germany. Throughout the program, we had very high quality professors who taught unique topics that would not necessarily have been stressed in an American Business school environment. However, this program was not all work all of the time despite the Germans’ reputation for being very hard workers. WHU took us to see amazing sites throughout the Rhineland-Pfalz region of Germany. Among the most memorable was seeing Burg Eltz, an iconic castle that is plastered on many “Visit Germany” brochures. Seeing it in person has been a lifetime goal of mine, and it was even more magnificent in person than it seemed on Instagram."
Arman Rasekh
University of Toronto
Canada
"I had a fantastic time at WHU. I think the program is planned and managed well in terms of accommodation as well as the curriculum. It is a great opportunity to learn about business in Germany and Europe and get a practical perspective of how the history, culture and world events shape the economy there. Meeting people and making friends from universities all around the world was very positive and a fun experience.

The residence was about an 8-minute walk from the building where we had our classes. Upon arrival I enjoyed meeting some of my classmates from other parts of Canada and the United States. WHU had many plans for the duration of our stay which was fun and taught us a lot about the history of the region as well giving us chances to visit many places nearby."
Nick Rojas
University of Michigan
USA
"This program was absolutely exceptional and one of the best academic decisions I've made in business school. The staff is organized and on top of things so you feel supported constantly. The professors are exceptional with a clear passion for teaching and do a fantastic job of bringing the topics to life for a non-German audience. I had an amazing time working with classmates from across the globe, bringing our varying experiences to group projects and venturing throughout Europe together on the weekends. If you want an opportunity to learn about European markets and business while soaking in the wonderful culture and natural beauty of Germany, this is the program to do."
Megan Santoro
Northwestern University
USA
"Studying at WHU was the best decision I have made during my MBA experience. The program was beautifully coordinated and organized with amazing speakers throughout. From start to finish the hospitality and kindness at WHU was unparalleled. I would recommend the program to any MBA student."
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Frequently Asked Questions –
Quick facts about the program.

Some nationalities, such as Americans, Canadians, and Australians, in possession of a valid passport, do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. The passport must not expire before the end of the scheduled trip.

Please contact your local German Consulate or Embassy to determine whether a visa is required. Please note that WHU cannot issue visas. You will find further information via the Federal Foreign Office.

Sample schedules are available online and will be updated on a regular basis. Please note that the online schedules are preliminary and subject to change. You will receive the final schedule shortly before the start of the program.

An airport pick-up is organized for you on the first day of each session from Frankfurt Airport.

Where:  Frankfurt Airport, Meeting Point Terminal 1
When:   Between 10:00 and 11:00 am

Additionally, an airport drop-off is organized for you in the morning after the end of each session.

Where: Vallendar Mitte
When: TBA

Please inform Andre Betz (andre.betz@whu.edu) about your arrival schedule as soon as possible to make sure that you can profit from the airport pick-up. Please note that if you are unable to schedule a flight to arrive in time for the pick-up, or your arrival is delayed, you will be responsible for arranging your own transportation to WHU.

The general rule is smart casual for classes and business casual for company visits and events.

You will have full access to our computer facilities. However, we strongly recommend that you also bring your own laptop.

Before your arrival, you will be asked to prepare for the program using pre-readings which you will find on our online platform. You will receive the login via email, therefore we ask you to please make sure that you check your email account regularly.

The deadline for paying the base and tuition fees is March 1, 2024. A refund is not possible.

Get in touch -

We're looking forward to hearing from you!

We are happy to answer all questions you might have about the program in general, or regarding its content or organization. Please also contact us if you wish to get in touch with previous participants in order to gain insight into their experiences.

WHU