While my legal background (LL.M. international Licensing) gave me strong specialist expertise, I wanted to broaden my perspective — particularly to better understand the commercial and strategic side of the transactions I was supporting, such as M&A and venture capital activities. A general MBA felt like the right fit: my legal studies had already provided the specialist depth, so what I was looking for was a programme that would widen my horizon and help me engage more effectively with business stakeholders across functions. Darmstadt Business School stood out because of its strong ties to the (local) industry ecosystem, including the cooperation between h-da and Merck, which allowed me to pursue the programme with my employer's support. Being part of a programme that is well connected to the professional environment I work in every day made the learning experience immediately applicable and relevant.

The Project Management module stood out because it included a practical mini-project that introduced Project Management in a practical way — it made the concepts immediately tangible. Similarly, the Strategic IT Management course with Professor Tafreshi was a real eye-opener by learning BPMN to understand and interpret process models in my professional environment.

Beyond the classroom, the excursion to an Amazon logistics warehouse during our Supply Chain Management course was genuinely impressive and brought the theory to life in a way no textbook could.

And last but not least: the collaboration with my fellow students. Working alongside people from entirely different academic disciplines and cultural backgrounds was absolutely enlightening — it changed how I approach problems and communicate ideas in a day-to-day work environment.

Enabled a further career step in my department and led to more responsibilties due to broader business understanding.

I do not have that much visibility/information on other MBA programmes, therefore cannot provide a proper answer.

Absolutely. I would especially recommend it to professionals who already bring some years of work experience. If you already have deep specialist knowledge — whether in law, engineering, science, or another discipline — this MBA is an excellent way to add the commercial and strategic layer that makes you more versatile and effective in your role. The cohort sizes are not too big, which creates a familiar, collegial environment where you truly get to know your fellow students and professors. On top of that, the group is remarkably diverse, both in terms of nationalities and professional backgrounds, which means every discussion and group project brings fresh perspectives to the table.

I think this was already answered above.

In my day-to-day work in Legal, supporting M&A and corporate venture capital, three areas stand out.
First, the financial and business fundamentals: the MBA gave me the ability to truly understand a much broader range of documents during e.g. due diligence processes — from financial reports and cap tables to process documentation — rather than focusing solely on the legal aspects. This allows me to engage with stakeholders from finance, strategy, and operations on their terms and significantly improves the quality of my work.

Second, the leadership, change management, and communication skills have proven invaluable. Transactions and transformations almost always mean change for the people involved, and being able to navigate that human side — managing expectations, communicating effectively, and understanding teams going through uncertainty — is something I draw on constantly.

Third, project management. Structuring complex transactions as well-managed projects with clear milestones, responsibilities, and timelines has made a real difference in how efficiently and smoothly deals progress.

By having a circle of trusted contacts outside of both my own professional bubble and my corporate organisation. It gives me access to different perspectives and ways of thinking that I simply would not encounter in my day-to-day legal environment. That kind of outside-in view is incredibly valuable when you want to challenge your own assumptions or get a fresh take on a problem.

Collaborative, informal, supportive, and genuinely fun. It felt much more like a community than a traditional classroom setting. I think a big reason for that is the fact that everyone is there voluntarily, on top of their professional responsibilities and family commitments, and investing their own money into their development. That shared commitment creates a sense of mutual respect and solidarity from day one — people are there because they truly want to be, and that shapes every interaction.

Already answered by the question "How has the network helped you in practical terms?" I would say.

Yes.

How supportive, flexible, and approachable the professors, lecturers, and the Darmstadt Business School team are. Having completed my earlier degrees at h-da as well, I had a frame of reference — and the MBA experience was noticeably less formal and far more personal. There is a genuine willingness to accommodate the realities of working professionals, and the doors are always open for questions, feedback, or a conversation. That culture made a real difference in how much I got out of the programme.

After several years in the working world, going back to being a student again was a bigger adjustment than I expected. Sitting in a classroom, doing exercises, working through what sometimes genuinely felt like homework — and giving up most Friday evenings and Saturdays for a year and a half — required real discipline. The key to overcoming it was keeping the end goal in sight and, honestly, the atmosphere within the cohort. When everyone around you is making the same sacrifice, it is much easier to stay motivated and push through the tougher stretches.

Do it. Do not overthink it, do not wait for the perfect moment — just commit. The workload is manageable, the people are great, and the return on investment, both professionally and personally, is well worth the effort.