At the end of June, members of the Department of International Management (Dr. Theresa Bernhard and Jacob Metzler) accompanied 19 students from the Master’s program International Business Studies on a two-day excursion to Berlin, providing first-hand insights into business, infrastructure, and politics in Germany.
The first day of the excursion focused on Germany’s infrastructure, exploring the topic from both a policy perspective and through practical implementation. The programme began with a visit to the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), where Dirk Binding (Head of Digital Economy, Infrastructure, and Regional Policy) introduced students to the DIHK’s role in representing German businesses and advocating for their interests in the political process, with a particular focus on companies operating in the infrastructure sector. The discussion also provided valuable insights into the current state of Germany’s infrastructure and the reforms needed to strengthen the country’s competitiveness. We would like to sincerely thank Dirk Binding for sharing his expertise and engaging in a valuable exchange with our students.
Continuing the infrastructure theme and exploring an iconic example of how urban mobility is maintained every day, the group visited the S-Bahn Berlin GmbH main maintenance facility in Berlin-Schöneweide. We would like to thank Steve Jagau Moritz and the entire S-Bahn Berlin team for welcoming us and providing a fascinating guided tour of the workshop. Students gained unique insights into the maintenance and operation of Berlin’s S-Bahn fleet and the complex processes required to ensure reliable public transportation.
The second day shifted the focus towards politics and public institutions. Students visited the German Bundestag, followed by a student-led walking tour through the government district, where they explored some of Berlin’s most important political and historical landmarks.
In the afternoon, the group was welcomed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy for a presentation on the Ministry’s work, organizational structure, and strategic vision. Students gained valuable insights into Germany’s energy policy and the challenges associated with the country’s ongoing energy transition.
We sincerely thank all of our hosts for sharing their expertise, time, and experiences with our students. Their contributions made this excursion an enriching experience and once again demonstrated the value of connecting academic learning with real-world practice.
A special thank you also goes to Prof. Dr. Dirk Holtbrügge for his support in making this excursion possible and for providing our students with this valuable opportunity to engage with practitioners and gain insights beyond the classroom.
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