Experiences and opinions
The Transatlantic Institute regularly invites alumni, students and interested parties to networking events and lectures. This is a particularly good opportunity for those interested in an MBA to make contact with MBA graduates, students and other interested parties.
With the Alumni Association, the University of West Florida offers its graduates an extensive network with special offers and regular events.
Read comments from our graduates about their experiences with the MBA program at the Transatlantic Institute:
"The MBA program at the University of West Florida in collaboration with Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences has been one of the most transformative and enriching experiences of my life - both professionally and personally. It is remarkable how seamlessly this program can be balanced with a full-time job. The structure is well-thought out, challenging yet manageable, allowing students to focus on priorities and to develop individually and collectively. One of the most impressive aspects of the program was its hands-on approach. It was not just a theoretical management course, but an exciting journey full of practical learning experiences beyond the traditional academic realm. From in-depth stock analysis to complex business simulations, every assignment was directly applicable and highly relevant. The master's projects, which involved working intensively with companies from different business sectors, were ambitious but incredibly exhilarating. This was like discovering companies inside details, breaking down their DNA and benchmarking their performance against others.
The visit in Pensacola was undoubtedly the highlight of the program. It was not only the opportunity to study at a prestigious international university - it was also a deeply emotional and personal journey. The intercultural exchange broadened multiple perspectives and enabled growth in many respects. We were an incredibly diverse group, with people from different cultural backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs - and that made all the difference. Not only did we learn from and inspire each other, but we also celebrated a lot together. These connections go far beyond networking - they are friendships that will last a lifetime. This program has not only advanced my career, it has transformed myself on a personal level. It has proven to me what is achievable when you challenge yourself and remain open to new opportunities. I am very grateful for this experience and know that it will be a cornerstone for my future success!" Emily Langohr, MBA (UWF), BASF
"This 18-month journey has been an incredible experience, combining rigorous academics with practical insights that have truly broadened my horizons.
Balancing a full-time job while pursuing this MBA was challenging, but it was absolutely worth it. The program's high quality, the knowledgeable professors, and the collaborative learning environment made it an enriching and transformative experience. I am especially grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside such talented and diverse peers. A special highlight of this journey was being awarded honorary citizenship of the city of Pensacola. This recognition is a testament to the strong bond formed between the university and its international students, and it is an honor I will cherish forever. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the University of West Florida for their unwavering support and dedication to excellence. This program has not only equipped me with advanced skills and knowledge but has also opened doors to new opportunities and connections. To anyone considering an MBA, especially those balancing work and studies, I wholeheartedly recommend the University of West Florida. It's an investment in your future that will pay dividends in both personal and professional growth." Jan Kaul, MBA (UWF), Amazon
"This MBA program is about much more than just earning a degree - it's about forming real connections and bridging cultures. Through this experience and our two visits to the US, I've built a strong network across many different countries, expanding my global perspective. I'm thankful for the lasting friendships and the unique cultural insights that have enriched my journey." Anna-Marie Freitag, MBA (UWF), SAP
"I experienced the MBA program at UWF as an incredible growth opportunity. The combination of theoretical learning and practical applications, such as the case studies and simulations, gave me insight into real-world challenges. I especially appreciated the teamwork aspect, which helped me fine-tune my collaboration and leadership skills. These experiences have directly translated to my job at SAP in consulting and project management, where the program has significantly prepared me to handle complex professional tasks with greater efficiency and confidence." Celine Höckh, MBA (UWF), SAP
"The MBA program has been a transforming journey, allowing me to grow both personally and professionally. Balancing the workload of my full-time job in SAP consulting with my studies challenged my resilience, time management, and competence in organization, pushing me to new limits. The combination of these experiences, together with the program's emphasis on management, established a solid foundation for my future career steps and opened up exciting opportunities for growth and development."
Veronika Taranek, MBA (UWF), SAP
"This program is probably one of the fastest ways - without cutting corners - to earn a high-quality MBA from one of the best business schools in the US. Expect a fast pace, stimulating discussions, unique people, great food, intense learning and lasting memories."
Michael Weible, MBA (UWF)
"One of the best things I've ever done! It wasn't just about studying and working hard, but a combination of studying and the American adventure! The two trips to the USA were the absolute highlight: the Florida experience and the group experience with the great university, the lifestyle and the Americans and their hospitality - I felt like I belonged within a very short time. Although it was a very busy time, I would definitely sign up for this program again anytime and am already starting to miss it."
Eugen Scherer, MBA (UWF)
"The MBA degree will definitely be a door-opener for new jobs. If you tell people that you have done an executive MBA program while working full time, they will certainly recognize the effort you have taken. I also appreciated the short duration of the program of only 18 months."
Anne-Marie Rensland, MBA (UWF)
"I am working in Marketing in Sales, and I now have a much bigger base of educational and theoretical knowledge that helps me in very broad and general terms at work. Also, throughout the program we have worked a lot in groups and we have learned how to develop a team, and this has helped me also on the job where to find my spot and help my team to go together and to develop."
Sarah Engel, MBA (UWF)
"Soft skills are something you can hardly evaluate for yourself, but I recently had a performance review discussion with my boss, and he clearly said that he could see how I take more entrepreneurial positions now and that he has really seen a change in the way I deal with the people in my department, since I had started the program. As a result, I got a bigger project for the following year, which I consider an important career step. Especially the cases we worked on were very helpful for me, in order to be able to deal with future problems that might occur in real life."
Alex Hunsinger, MBA (UWF)
"I had a great opportunity at SAP as an MBA student already, when I was allowed to join the leadership summit which gave me insight about leadership from executive managers. That was a big advantage that I gained with this program. Furthermore, within the MBA program I learned a lot about team work, improved my time management and learned how to deal with high workloads, which are all skills that will be very beneficent in the future."
Julia Lakatos, MBA (UWF)
"I really liked the business simulation game, which just like a real life experience. I enjoyed working in teams a lot and I also think that most of the learning in the program resulted from the class discussions with my fellow students."
Marcel Steinleitner, MBA (UWF)
"Both the business administration content and the discipline required contribute significantly to preparing students for jobs in the business world and develop their personalities. In addition, the intercultural character of the course enables students to gain practical experience in an international academic environment and also to obtain a globally recognized degree. The close contact with the American professors and the small group sizes give each individual the opportunity to develop further in their personal areas of interest."
Daniel Bosch, MBA (UWF) Senior Consultant, Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
"The AACSB-accredited MBA program at the Transatlantic Institute in cooperation with the University of West Florida came at just the right time for me. As soon as I had my degree in my pocket, my career path within the BASF Group took me to WINGAS, a joint venture with Gazprom for the marketing of natural gas in Europe. I first had to acquire the industry-specific know-how, but the MBA course prepared me well for new challenges in an unfamiliar environment (-> Manage Ambiguity). Today I'm head of Trading and Operations at WINGAS UK in London, where the Business English I learned on the MBA course naturally helps me a lot. I am particularly pleased that the friendships that formed during the MBA have lasted and deepened for over four years."
Tobias Rop, MBA (UWF)
"When I successfully completed my degree in chemical engineering in 1990, I spent another three years working on my dissertation. Business lectures - such as corporate financing under the conditions of a global economy, marketing strategies or the preparation of a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP - were not on the curriculum for engineers at technical universities back then. In the meantime, terms and concepts such as empowerment, value-based management, DCF or the balanced scorecard have become part of the working world of engineers. Although there are now quite good individual seminars as part of continuing professional development, these are only partially suitable for covering the field of knowledge as a whole in the long term. In addition, advancing globalization in conjunction with demographic change is accelerating the need for professional "lifelong learning". I was therefore delighted when I heard that Ludwigshafen was offering the opportunity to study for an Executive MBA with a focus on "International Management" while working. Thanks to the cooperation with the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida, all lectures are given by American professors, all of whom have many years of industry experience and thus convey the course content in an authentic and practical way. Thanks to the several-week study visit to Pensacola and the return visit of my American fellow students to Ludwigshafen, Pensacola has almost become something of a "second home" for me. Even four years after graduation, there are still regular meetings and activities with the professors at the university."
Dr.-Ing. Armin Ulonska, MBA (UWF) BASF SE
"After the UWF program, I started a new position within the area of strategic marketing. One of the main reasons I got this job is the MBA from UWF! Not the fact that I received a master degree, especially the UWF MBA qualified me for this new position. The UWF education enabled me to outpace candidates who had much more experience and knowledge in the industry. In my personal opinion the industry approach and the concept of the portfolio papers are a huge asset of the UWF MBA program and are extraordinarily valuable for every working professional. Furthermore, the learning about motivation and group dynamics has proven to be very important."
Michael Dürk, MBA (UWF)
"The importance of continuing education and lifelong learning is constantly growing. UWF's MBA degree programs in cooperation with the TI take this development into account. The internationally recognized degree from an AACSB-accredited university was also a decisive step for me to continue to steer my career in a promising and successful direction."
Philipp Rebling, MBA (UWF) Assistant Regional Manager Northwest, TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH
"There were several reasons for me to study for an Executive MBA at the University of West Florida (UWF), which is mainly conducted at the Transatlantic Institute in Ludwigshafen. The two most important decision criteria for this Executive MBA were the part-time nature of the degree programs and the ideal complement to my professional work as a person responsible for the certification of lawn care equipment. With my new training and newly acquired knowledge, I can make my own personal contribution to my employer's future sustainability strategy. I think an MBA or Executive MBA education is not in itself a guarantee for a successful career, but it is a very important building block to gain knowledge for the entrepreneurial requirements in a global working world. I now also feel better able to cope with the changing and ever-increasing challenges in companies. In my professional career to date, I have worked exclusively in the field of vehicle and machine technology. The growing demands in terms of organization and profitability analyses required a sound education with a focus on business administration. The degree course allowed me to understand the basics I had acquired in this area during my career and to put them into the right context."
Dipl.-Ing. Reinhard Frank, MBA (UWF) John Deere
"The TI MBA program in cooperation with the University of West Florida was the ideal combination of further education and internationality for me. As the program is part-time, the personal commitment was definitely affordable. The two years were certainly characterized by some personal effort. But one thing is very clear to me: the effort more than paid off in the end. I certainly owe my current position at Daimler Trucks North America in Detroit to my AACSB-accredited MBA. I would describe the mentoring and support from the MBA team both in good old Germany and in the USA as almost familial - thank you for that!"
Dietmar Hermes, MBA (UWF) Daimler Trucks North America Director Manufacturing Engineering Detroit Diesel Company
"The MBA program at the TI in cooperation with the UWF was a lot of fun and provided me with interesting new contacts in an international environment in addition to the qualifications and specialist knowledge I gained. In terms of my future career planning, the investment of time and commitment for the part-time program has already more than paid off."
Peter Seider, MBA (UWF) Senior Product Specialist SAP Products & Solutions Strategic Customer Unit SAP AG
"As a former BA student, it was important for me to upgrade my diploma at a later stage and, above all, to acquire in-depth executive know-how. During the part-time MBA, I worked as a sales manager for a global corporation, and I can say that this MBA program can be managed even in very travel-intensive jobs. The support from both the German and the American team was always exemplary and flawless. I can warmly recommend this program to everyone."
Daniel D. Schambach Diplom Betriebswirt (BA), MBA (UWF)
Sales Director Rail Vehicles Region West Solaris Bus & Coach S.A.
"In my position as manager of an EMEA wide operating department at Univar Europe, actually based in the Netherlands,the experience gained during my international Master's degree in
Business Administration was an indispensable foundation for my every day work life.
Looking at the position I have reached until now, this MBA definitely was one of my key qualifications to make it this far. This MBA is an enabler based on which you have to proof yourself in
practice and, combined with hard work, you can truly leverage on your career."
Thomas York Goetz, Dipl.-Kfm, MBA (UWF) Manager Marketing Impact EMEA, Univar Europe
"For me as a translator, the MBA from the University of West Florida was the perfect complement to my German degree thanks to its specialist and international focus. And being able to study economics at an American university without having to move or change jobs is something I still think is simply brilliant."
Joachim von Hunnius, translator, MBA (UWF)