WHU - Otto Beisheim: Premier Business School of Germany Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I believe that (a) the facilities were top notch, (b) the workload was rigorous, but not too difficult, (c) the grading system was fair, (d) the teaching methods were sound, and (d) the differences in the American and German systems was somewhat superficial.

On-site administration of your program

The international office at WHU is outstanding. The people who work there are friendly and competent.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in Gaesthaus Schumann on the island of Niederwerth. I highly recommend it. First of all, it is on an island. Second, the apartments were the biggest yet cheapest housing option. Each room came well-stocked with cook-ware, dish-ware, and furniture. If you are lucky, you will get a balcony with your room. The international programs office helps a lot in setting up your housing.

Germany does not have a very diverse or refined gastronomical scene. However, I highly recommend Doener Kebabs (which are also one of the most common foods in Germany). In Vallendar, I recommend Capri Italian restaurant near the school, the german restaurant on the East side of the island (with a tree coming through the deck of the beer garden), and also die Traube (a fancier German style restaurant).

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

They take you on a regional tour and pub crawl and other events. If you go in the fall you go to a winery (Vallendar is in the wine-region of Germany) and in the winter you will go to a brewery. On top of this, there are many other cultural and social events planned throughout the semester

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There are probably more safety risks in Austin.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Do not hesitate to work out some deal with local students where you speak English part of the time (to improve their English) and where you speak their language part of the time (to improve your language skills). Especially use your foreign language whenever in a customer setting (bus, train station, restaurant, etc.). Even if most people speak English, you should insist on speaking the language by continuing to speak the foreign language even if they respond in English. The toughest barrier to overcome when learning the language in your host country will be to get away from your English-speaking American, Australian, and British friends to let you immerse yourself in the foreign language.

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• Apartment

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• International Students

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• Local Students