I chose the MBA at Darmstadt Business School for several reasons. First, its proximity to my place of residence makes it very practical and allows me to balance my studies with my professional and personal commitments. Second, the program came highly recommended by my partner, who also completed his MBA there and had a very positive experience, which gave me confidence in the quality of the education. In addition, the structure and content of the program align well with my career goals, and the tuition fees are reasonable compared to similar programs. Finally, I have developed a strong connection to h_da since I arrived in Germany, which made this choice both academically and personally meaningful.

My personal highlight during the program was graduating while holding my newborn baby in my arms. This moment was especially meaningful to me because it represented not only the successful completion of my studies, but also my ability to balance a major personal milestone with academic achievement. It was not always easy, and I am particularly grateful for the understanding and support of my supervisors, who made it possible for me to manage both responsibilities. Their flexibility and encouragement played a key role in helping me reach this goal, making this achievement even more special and memorable.

Since I have four children, I have been somewhat cautious about taking on a new position, as I carefully consider the additional challenges and responsibilities it could bring. As a result, I have not yet changed my job since graduating in 2024. However, the MBA has still had a significant impact on my career. It has clearly influenced how I am perceived in a professional context. I notice a change in the way customers, supervisors, and colleagues interact with me, as the title ‘MBA’ in my email signature adds credibility and signals a higher level of expertise and commitment. This has led to more trust, more responsibility in discussions, and a generally more professional recognition within my working environment.

Although I have not completed other MBA programs, my perspective is based on the information I gathered during my decision-making process. At that time, I compared several programs in Germany, including Hochschule Darmstadt and institutions in Frankfurt, and considered factors such as structure, flexibility, cost, and overall fit with my personal situation.What particularly differentiated the MBA at Hochschule Darmstadt for me was its strong practical orientation combined with a flexible format that allows working professionals to manage their studies alongside personal responsibilities. Compared to some Frankfurt-based programs, which are often more intensive and associated with higher tuition fees, the Darmstadt program offered a very good balance between quality and affordability.Another important aspect was proximity to my place of residence, which made it much easier to integrate the studies into my family life. In addition, I already had a positive connection to h_da since moving to Germany, which also influenced my decision.Overall, the program stood out for its accessibility, practical focus, and strong alignment with my personal and professional circumstances.

Yes, I would recommend this MBA. Based on my experience, it offers a strong balance between academic quality, practical relevance, and flexibility, which makes it particularly suitable for professionals who also have significant personal responsibilities, like I do.One of the key strengths of the program is its structure, which allows you to combine studies with work and family life in a realistic way. The cost-benefit ratio is also very attractive compared to many other MBA programs in the region, without compromising on the quality of the content.Another important aspect is the learning environment and the quality of the lecturers. In particular, I experienced very good lecturers who were not only knowledgeable but also practical and engaging in their teaching approach. Their ability to connect theory with real-world business situations added a lot of value to the program.Overall, I would recommend this MBA because it provides a solid academic foundation, is well adapted to the needs of working professionals, and is supported by competent and approachable lecturers who enhance the learning experience.

Since completing the MBA, the most concrete changes in my career have been more related to recognition and external perception than to a formal job change. I have not yet changed roles or significantly shifted my responsibilities, mainly due to my current family situation and the need for stability.However, I clearly notice a stronger professional standing in my daily work. Customers, colleagues, and supervisors respond with more trust and credibility when they see the ‘MBA’ title in my signature, which has also led to increased responsibility in discussions and decision-making situations.In addition, I receive more unsolicited job offers and recruitment inquiries, which shows that my profile has become more visible and attractive on the job market.From a financial perspective, my salary has increased slightly since graduation, which reflects a modest but positive recognition of my qualification.Overall, while the changes have not been dramatic in terms of position, the MBA has clearly strengthened my professional image, visibility, and external opportunities.

In my current role, I primarily apply skills in project and order management as well as communication and negotiation.The MBA has strengthened my ability to structure and manage complex orders (project management), ensuring that processes are handled efficiently, deadlines are met, and stakeholders are well coordinated. This is especially important in my daily work, where I deal with multiple parallel tasks and international interfaces.Another key skill I use regularly is communication and mediation. Since I work with people from all over the world, I constantly switch between French, English, and German. The MBA helped me improve my ability to communicate clearly across cultural and linguistic boundaries, and to act as a mediator when expectations or priorities differ between stakeholders.In addition, negotiation skills gained during the program are highly relevant in my interactions with customers and internal teams, where finding practical and balanced solutions is often required.Overall, these skills have become an essential part of my daily work and significantly support my effectiveness in an international environment.

In practical terms, the network from the MBA has helped me mainly through valuable connections and contact with very open and supportive people. During the program, I met classmates and lecturers who come from different professional backgrounds, which created a diverse and enriching environment.Even after the program, staying in contact with some of these people has been beneficial, as it allows for informal exchange of ideas, experiences, and sometimes even professional advice. It is reassuring to know that there is a network of approachable and nice people who you can reach out to when needed.While I have not used the network for direct career changes, it has still contributed to my personal and professional development by broadening my perspective and creating a sense of connection beyond my immediate workplace.

The atmosphere within the program was almost perfect. It was very positive, respectful, and supportive throughout the entire MBA experience. There was a strong sense of collaboration among students, even though we all came from different professional and cultural backgrounds.The exchange with lecturers was also very open and approachable, which created a comfortable learning environment where questions and discussions were always welcome. This combination of professionalism and personal interaction made it easy to stay motivated and engaged.Overall, the atmosphere was one of the key strengths of the program and contributed significantly to a very positive and enriching study experience.

At this stage, I have not yet been actively involved in the alumni network, so it does not currently play a direct role in my professional life. However, I see it as a valuable opportunity for the future, especially in terms of maintaining connections and potentially expanding my professional network over time.Even though I have not used it so far, I appreciate the idea of staying connected to the program and its graduates, and I can imagine becoming more involved as my career develops.

Yes, I am still in contact with some of my fellow students. We occasionally exchange messages and stay connected, mainly to share updates, experiences, and sometimes professional insights.Even though we are all busy with our jobs and personal lives, it is nice to maintain these connections, as they are based on a shared and meaningful experience during the MBA program.

What surprised me the most during the MBA was the level of flexibility shown by the lecturers and how understanding they were regarding the challenges we faced as working professionals.Many of us had demanding jobs and family responsibilities, and I was positively surprised by how some lecturers adapted their teaching style, deadlines, or communication to accommodate these realities without compromising academic quality. This created a very supportive learning environment and made it possible to successfully combine studies with a complex private and professional life.This flexibility was not something I expected to this extent, and it had a very positive impact on my overall experience in the program.

My biggest challenge during the MBA was managing the constant balancing act between a full-time job, part-time studies, and my personal life as a mother of four, a wife, and a friend. Each of these roles comes with its own responsibilities and expectations, and combining them required a high level of discipline, organization, and prioritization.At times, it was demanding to switch between professional tasks, academic deadlines, and family needs without feeling overwhelmed. What helped me overcome this challenge was being very structured with my time, setting clear priorities, and accepting that not everything can be perfect at the same time. I also learned to ask for support when needed and to make efficient use of the flexibility offered by the program.In the end, this experience strengthened my resilience and time-management skills significantly, and it gave me confidence that I can successfully handle multiple demanding roles at once.

If I could give advice to my ‘former self’ before starting the MBA, I would say: prepare yourself not only academically, but also mentally, personally, and financially for the journey ahead.Knowing what I know today—balancing a full-time job, part-time studies, and being a mother of four, a wife, and a friend—I would emphasize that strong organization, clear priorities, and flexibility are essential. Not everything will go perfectly, and that is completely fine.I would also highlight the financial aspect more clearly. It is important to plan ahead and be aware of the investment required, without letting financial concerns stop you from taking this step. It is a commitment, but one that pays off in many ways beyond the purely financial return.In addition, I would say not to be too influenced by the opinions or doubts of people around you. Everyone has their own perspective, but they do not see your full potential or your determination. Trust yourself more.And most importantly, I would remind myself: ‘You will endure more than you think.’ There will be challenging moments, but you will get through them. You will make it—and in the end, you will be stronger, more confident, and proud of what you achieved.