#uestories

Daniel D.

Daniel D., Alumnus in Sport & Event Management, Iserlohn

“I’m Daniel, alumnus. Today I work at Porsche and I’m responsible for Porsche Driver’s Selection Online Shop.”

​How did you come to University of Applied Sciences Europe?

Oh, there were some detours! First of all, I went to junior high school (German: Hauptschule). But it dawned on me during a summer job, when I had to scrub hall floors all day long, that I wanted to do more. So I gave it a go, got my Higher School Certificate (German: Abitur), and visited an open campus day at University of Applied Sciences Europe through a friend of mine. Sport & Event Management was a rare combination and the perfect fit for my passion for sports! The campus atmosphere was unique. The relationship with the faculty and professors was personal. Working and learning in small groups created a unique team spirit.

What were the key moments at University of Applied Sciences Europe that shaped into who you are today?

One day when I was a kid, I stood in front of Westfalenstadion with my father for the first time. Since then, all I wanted to do was to pursue the goal of being in the stadium playing for BVB Borussia Dortmund.

At University of Applied Sciences Europe I came into contact with the commercial aspects of digitalization for the first time through Prof. Vieregge during my student traineeship. Above all I was impressed by his entrepreneurial skills and it encouraged me to tread new paths. As a result, I completed my internship at Microsoft in Munich in e-commerce. As I became more familiar with the sector, I was able to see that soccer clubs have not been exploiting commercial opportunities offered by digitalization. Therefore I worked on a plan to optimize Borussia Dortmund’s online shop and sent it off to the Director of BVB Merchandising, just like that. I received a reply quickly and I was able to prove myself as a student trainee at BVB. That was crazy! My dream came true! I might not have been standing on the pitch, but I was working for BVB!

I built up BVB’s online marketing first as a student trainee, after which I was hired permanently. Between 2011 and 2014 I experienced all that soccer at BVB brings with it. Then I wanted to do something different and applied to Porsche. I received a positive answer very soon after. Today, I’m responsible for the online shop for accessories at Porsche for.

Thinking and acting without limits or studying without borders. How true was that for you at University of Applied Sciences Europe?

When I started my studies, my English was mediocre. I was really worried before the semester abroad. But at University of Applied Sciences Europe something clicked for me. During my time in Madrid I broadened my horizon, among other things, and I trust myself a lot more now.

That really was the best experience I could have had. Before my studies I would never have had the confidence to realize the internationalization of the BVB online shop with people from different countries. Today those kinds of challenges are daily routine to me.

What makes University of Applied Sciences Europe special for you?

The uni provided me with the structure that I needed, but also with plenty of freedom, to develop myself. The content of the studies was very good, and I benefited from it and the people at school. You were guided, but you could choose your own path. This is mine and I have followed it.

Daniel G.

How did you come to University of Applied Sciences Europe?

My path leads from Nigeria to Berlin via Kuwait. I had studied Business Management in the Arabian Peninsula, but then I wanted to go to Europe. By researching online I found University of Applied Sciences Europe and was immediately very impressed by what they offered. After the application process in September 2015, I began my studies in October at campus Berlin. Business and Management Studies is the most traditional offering at the university, but it gave me exactly the content that I had envisioned.

What were some key moments that have made you who you are?

I think that I looked at many things at my father’s business and I would like very much to support him in his work. He has an IT company in Kuwait in which I would also like to work after my graduation. I’m here to learn how you run a company and change your ideas into concepts and strategies. University of Applied Sciences Europe, as a university, is perfect for this! The big focus on the practical is ideally suited to what I want to obtain from an innovative course of studies.

Learning without boundaries. What does that have to do with you at University of Applied Sciences Europe?

It might sound trite but I’m the first Nigerian here on campus, and I think it’s fantastic to have this opportunity! When I was looking for a suitable university, it wasn’t easy to find a package that was entirely suitable. Because it is so very international, University of Applied Sciences Europe is more open than other universities and it has been very easy for me to fit in here. To me, this is thinking without boundaries. I like it very much!

What did University of Applied Sciences Europe do for you in particular?

I was received here very warmly. The students and professors always lend a sympathetic ear and support you whenever they can. The vibe between the professors and students is really something special. I haven’t experienced anything like this before. After the lectures we often stay behind sitting around together discussing our work, but we also spend evenings together when we play games and have fun together. It’s really exceptional! Also, there is great cohesion among the students and I have already been entrusted with the honor of representing the students on the board of examiners. 

Dominika K.

How did you come to University of Applied Sciences Europe?

After graduating high school, I started to look for a programme that leads directly into a Bachelor's degree. One day I came across an ad for the uni on the Berlin subway. The Media & Communication programmes immediately appealed to me, as that was always my dream!

What were some key moments that made you who you are?

During my first semester at University of Applied Sciences Europe, students who have already done a few semesters told me that competition for internships is very tough and that I did not need to bother applying to large media companies and outlets. My professors however encouraged me to do so, and there you go, I was able to get an internship at RTL capital studio after my second semester. That showed me that you have to believe in yourself and just try everything!

Learning without boundaries. To what extent is that true for you at University of Applied Sciences Europe?

Teaching at University of Applied Sciences Europe is extremely practical. There is a healthy mixture of exams, assignments, and presentations. The very pronounced international basis and teaching in English and German make the uni what it is. You really notice that the professors know what they are talking about and they are successful in the real world. Not only that, University of Applied Sciences Europe has awoken my inner entrepreneurial spirit. I was able to get involved in resorts (student-led initiatives) or in project internships, and that was great because I was able to put theoretical knowledge into practice.

What makes University of Applied Sciences Europe special to you?

After a two-year stay in the U.S., it was clear to me that I wanted to study in English to make my future stay abroad easier. It was also important for me that the integrated semester abroad satisfied my wanderlust and would still allow me to complete the Bachelor's degree right on time in three years. As University of Applied Sciences Europe is part of the world's largest university network, Laureate, I had the opportunity to study anywhere in the world. I chose Australia.

Dominika W.

Dominika's #uestory, Alumna, Sport and Event Management, currently Europe Merchandising Director Nike Sportswear Footwear Women.

How did you come to University of Applied Sciences Europe?

Sport was always my passion so I was absolutely thrilled by the Sport & Event Management programme. I was a professional tennis player and definitely wanted to work in the sector.

What made University of Applied Sciences Europe special for you?

My first internship was at the audit firm Ernst & Young, and my second at L’Oréal. I was able to try everything at school but I eventually went back to what I had always wanted to do, sport. So I became an intern at Adidas and stayed there for four years, from being an intern in Global Product Management in soccer, then back to tennis as the Global Product Manager.

Studying without boundaries. How does that apply to your time at University of Applied Sciences Europe?

You should not believe in boundaries and trust yourself and in your talent, that was something I really came to understand while I was studying. The school regularly made me think in different ways, tread new paths, and achieve things that I didn’t think were possible before. That is an awesome feeling.

The job at Adidas was already a big dream come true for me. Then one day I was sitting in my home office and received an e-mail from a headhunter offering me a job at Nike, I nearly went crazy from pure joy! Today I work in Amsterdam and I am responsible for Merchandising for NikeSportswear Footwear Women in Europe.

What were the key moments that shaped who you are now?

It was simply crazy that in my first semester I presented to the management board of Audi Marketing. Though I only realized it later. Or my Bachelor’s thesis. When I started I was really worried whether I’d be able to do it, but I wrote the third-best thesis. I never thought that was possible! 

University of Applied Sciences Europe has played a huge part in shaping who I am now. Without being challenged, I would have certainly been lazy. Leaving your comfort zone, trying things out, and believing in yourself and success, that played a huge role during my studies.