Celebrating Partnerships
Pictured from left to right: Enrique Saveedra (DHBW), Kerstin Sauer (DHBW), Dorte Süchting (DHBW), Veena Brown (UWM), Julia Lin, (CEPA), Julia Schweikert (CEPA), Rachel Gazaryan (UWM), Dr. Monika Mages-Maurer (DHBW)
Professors from DHBW Stuttgart and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) together with Julia Schweikert, CEPA Program Manager, and Julia Lin, CEPA Study Abroad Coordinator, met up in Stuttgart for a celebration dinner to wrap up their successful three-day business simulation activity.
“From May 21 to 23, 2024, 20 students and two professors from the Lubar School of Business at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee were guests at the DHBW Stuttgart as part of their participation in the two-week Ernst & Young Accounting Study Abroad Program.
The TOPSIM simulation game “Mastering General Management” was carried out together with students from the BWL-International Business degree program. Under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Monika Mages-Maurer and Enrique Saavedra, MBA, the students had to take over the management and further development of a company in mixed teams over seven business years.
Over three jam-packed days, the eight teams competed for the best strategy, the best product, the best communication policy and ultimately the highest share price. In addition to interdisciplinary decision-making, intercultural exchange and understanding of internationally different laws and regulations were also promoted.
The simulation game was accompanied by short exercises and games directed by the ZMS team (Birgit Zürn and Maren Schaal) as well as social events in the form of a welcome dinner and Stäffele city rally for the American guests. Due to the positive feedback from all participants, a continuation of the cooperation is planned for next year.” (original content translated into English from: DHBW Stuttgart)
“I really enjoyed getting to learn more about our German counterparts and the way our lives compare/contrast.” (Emily Larson, UWM student)
After their time in Stuttgart, the UWM group traveled to Berlin for a week of additional cultural and professional visits organized by CEPA, including guided tours of the German Parliament and the Berlin Wall Memorial, as well as visiting the Chamber of Public Accountants and meeting with representatives from the Accounting Standards Committee of Germany.
“It was fun to learn how to commute in cities where the public transportation system is so much better than that in America.” (Danielle Douville, UWM student)
“I think the program was excellent. I think all of the program leaders did great and I cant wait to go back to Europe eventually!” (Sam Doebert, UWM student)
We, at CEPA, are looking forward to repeating this experience for new students from UWM next year and continuing to build these valuable international connections and partnership with UW Milwaukee.
Editors note: Due to bad weather, the Stäffele city rally did not take place and students visited the Stuttgart TV Tower instead.
