Forty students from RSM’s International Full-time MBA Class of 2016 and ten students from the Executive MBA (EMBA) Class of 2015 visited Hamburg and Berlin from 24 – 28 August. In Hamburg, the study trip was hosted by Kühne Logistics University (KLU), where participants attended a lecture about Green Logistics. They also visited companies to see business in practice, including NKG Kala Hamburg, Kuehne +Nagel, Tchibo, Airbus, and Port of Hamburg.
Exploring the logistics industry
“Logistics is a huge business and while it doesn't live up to expectations of futuristic processes, it serves as a good reminder that despite the fact that a lot of automation is going on, it still is very much dependent on people if only fewer but more skilful than before,” said Sanzhar Idrissov, a full-time MBA student from Kazakhstan, who was particularly impressed by the company visit to Airbus. He said he also learned a lot from talking to alumni about start-ups, and added that the study trip was an excellent opportunity to discover German cities, and establishing new friendships.
After taking the train to Berlin on 26 August, the MBA participants explored consumer behaviour and sustainable consumption, and intellectual property rights and innovation management at European School of Management and Technology. The lectures were followed by a networking barbeque with the university’s students. The company visits in Berlin included Mondelez International, Deutsche Bahn, international start-up hub Rainmaking Loft, and Axel Springer SE.
Future of global economy
In the same week, 11 participants from the Full-time MBA Class of 2016 and 29 EMBA participants from the Class of 2015 travelled to Washington DC for their study trip, hosted by Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business. The RSM MBA students attended lectures about intellectual property, analysing international trade disputes from origin, future of the global economy and globalisation. Their company visits included the National Retail Federation and World Bank, and the students went to a Washington Nationals baseball game.
“The visit to the World Bank Group was very impressive. It gave us a very insightful view of its current projects and operations,” said Peruvian full-time MBA student Gabriela Soto Pascual. “Another important part of the study trip was developing our networking skills, and having the opportunity to meet and work with EMBA students allowed us to experience it in a practical way.”
Sharing entrepreneurial experience
In addition to learning and experiencing business first-hand, the students had the opportunity to meet and network with RSM alumni. Meta Mikec, MBA alumni relations officer at RSM, was impressed by the alumni’s involvement during the trip. “They joined the MBA students for dinners in Hamburg, Berlin and Washington DC. Alumni also helped to arrange company visits in Berlin, and shared their entrepreneurial experience.”
Erwin de Buijzer, an alumnus from RSM’s Executive MBA’s Class of 2003, spoke to the students about his what he learned as a start-up CEO in Berlin. He had studied to become a medical doctor, and then decided to make a change in his career. ‘’The MBA programme at RSM really opened my eyes,” said De Buijzer, who now combines his medical experience with leading a healthcare business. “Having the MBA degree opened many doors in order to develop myself.”
