Exciting Study Abroad Program in Hamburg, Germany, Summer 2019

Continuing on a 25-year tradition of the German American Business Workshop, 21 CSULB students participated in a short-term study abroad trip to Hamburg, Germany, led by Professor Dana Sumpter. In partnership with the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW), the program started during the spring 2019 semester during which the CSULB and HAW students worked together on cross-cultural virtual teams to study organizational implications of global trade uncertainty. The program culminated in a six- day workshop in Hamburg, which encompassed live presentations, team skill-building discussions, company visits, and social events.

Highlights included a boat tour of the gorgeous harbor bordering Hamburg, a student BBQ on HAW campus, and a visit to the US Consulate where the students met the US Consulate General (at the "little White House") for the northern region of Germany. The students toured organizational headquarters of Hapag Lloyd, Hamburger Hochbahn, and Statista. They also participated in a workshop on data visualization and attended a company presentation from the head of business development from Mabanaft.  Finally, student teams ended the workshop with a “lightening round”-style analysis of and presentations on US trade policies.

Special thanks are due to our host university, HAW, and Professor Natalia Ribberink for providing such a rich cultural experience, and for making every effort to help us feel welcomed.  The students, faculty, and staff involved all agreed that it was a wonderfully rich and engaging learning experience, and also a lot of fun! 

This successful and impactful program will continue during the 2019-2020 school year. HAW students will come to visit Long Beach in October 2019, and there will be another short term study abroad opportunity for CSULB students to visit Hamburg in Spring/Summer 2020, led by Professor Ming Chen.  Limited space is still available for CSULB students.

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California State University Long Beach
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