This is it!

9 months, 11 classes and loads of fun and unforgettable impressions later I’ve come to a point where I can say that I have earned a Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls. What a great feeling! The whole adventure was topped off with the commencement ceremony on May 12th 2018 - a huge event to honor all the students graduating from UWRF. This ceremony was the perfect way for me to say goodbye to River Falls, UWRF, and a lot of great people I met along my way.

My time in River Falls was just great! Summarizing the whole academic year I can say that I would do it the very same way again. I wouldn’t change a single thing if I had the chance to make any changes. I would choose River Falls, I would buy a car, I would travel as much as possible, and I would choose the same classes. For me personally I made the best out of my limited time in River Falls and enjoyed every single second. Even if there were hard times when I struggled this definitely brought me closer to the point that I want to reach one day. Making those experiences is important I guess and deciding to study abroad to earn a degree is a decision that will definitely push you out of your comfort zone every now and then, but those experiences are the ones that matter.

I enjoyed both, the times I had in River Falls and the times I spent traveling somewhere in the U.S. I have seen so many places that were just amazing… Minneapolis, Chicago, Duluth and the Lake Superior, San Diego, New York just to name the most popular. But even if traveling was not an option for a weekend or two, I never got bored. I was either occupied with work I had to do for classes or just enjoyed my time in River Falls meeting friends, going out to the bars or parties or just having fun on campus. The area offers a lot – it might not be the big names everyone knows but I definitely enjoyed exploring the surrounding area. Hudson, Minneapolis, the Great Lakes, all those small state parks – it is just fun and I would have loved to see the area during summer. I might have to come back one day!

Obviously, making the decision to study abroad is not an easy decision at all. Deciding to go study in the U.S. doesn´t make it any easier. It is a lot of paperwork and an enormous investment for spoiled Europeans and especially Germans who mostly don´t really know the struggle of paying tuition but in my eyes the investment is absolutely worth it and is definitely going to pay off one day. Studying in the U.S. – in River Falls – has been the best experience I have made during my whole academic career. I enjoyed the different, personal, and interactive style of teaching, the small class sizes, and the international student body. I experienced that studying might as well be fun and that students can be more than just numbers for the first time in five years of studying back home. Apart from the excellent conditions I found when it came to teaching and classes I really enjoyed the great assistance, help, and mentoring I experienced before and during my time at UWRF. Questions and concerns are seriously taken care of and I always felt like I was in an environment that actually cared about me – this feels great! Improving your English skills just happens on a daily basis and I definitely benefitted from speaking with a lot of native speakers the most.

Herewith I want to say “Thank You” to every single person who made my stay at UWRF in River Falls more than enjoyable – it was just amazing and I will never forget the times I had at this mostly cold but lovely place!