Hallo from Deutschland!

By Kourtney Kirton, Foster Undergraduate who is participating in an exchange with the WHU Otto von Beisheim School of Management in Vallendar, Germany.

Hallo from Deutschland! I am studying abroad this semester in Vallendar, Germany at the WHU Otto von Beisheim School of Management. I am having an amazing time getting to learn about the German culture and travel to various cities around Europe. So far I have visited Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Berlin, Cologne, and I am going to Prague this weekend. The way my schedule works allows me most Thursdays and Fridays off of school, so it is easy to pack a bag and go somewhere for the weekend!

Class is much different here than at Foster. Lectures are typically three and a half hours long, with a 30-60 minute break in the middle for a quick coffee and snack. The town is quite small so it is easy to get to the store and a couple different coffee shops. I am in courses called Managing the Family Business, Brand Management, Business Information Systems, and Omnichannel Retail Marketing. My professors are highly qualified and many of them have written books about their respective subjects.

Meeting people has been super easy and exciting! I have met people from all over the world, and many other Americans that go to other schools in the states. It’s exciting because I will now have so many more places to travel when I go back home. I was nervous going into the semester because I was not sure what the other people would be like, but it has been the best month and a half of my life so far and I cannot wait to see what is next!