Leadership and sustainability in practice were the key focus issues for the week of “International Experience" from October 23 to 30, 2011 where MBA students from Pforzheim University met MBA students from their partner university of Wyoming.

A vivid exchange between the University of Wyoming in Laramie, USA and the University of Pforzheim has taken place for several years in the field of undergraduate study. The partnership is now intensified by an exchange at MBA level. During that week the MBA students from Laramie and Pforzheim visited well-known companies in Baden-Wuerttemberg, including Mann + Hummel, Schmalz GmbH, econ solutions and SAP AG in Walldorf.

The institutions visited were a mix of companies constituting the strong German ‘Mittlestand’ (SMEs) as well as global players. The students were exposed to various ideas ranging from innovation to sustainability to brand positioning of premium products. Each company was an interesting experience as the students discussed with senior managers of the companies about current challenges and ways to tackle them.

The highlight was an invitation to La Biosthétique International to Paris. The company is a market leader in its segment of personal care products and services. The students came across aspects of marketing high end personal care products and sophisticated distribution system. The students also spent some time exploring the sights and cultural diversity in Paris. "I’ve enjoyed all of the company visits and meeting all the Pforzheim students. This was a great learning experience", stated a student from Wyoming.

MBA students, staff and professors from Laramie and Pforzheim

For more photos go to our facebook-Fansite.

Laramie, Wyoming, has 30,000 inhabitants, the University has 14,000 students. To the next town (Cheyenne), it is about 45 minutes by car, to Denver it is about two hours.

	"I found the experience of the International Week to be incredibly beneficial to me, both personally and professionally. The insights shared by industry-leading companies were very interesting and it was fascinating to learn how each company is working to become more innovative and sustainable. Furthermore, sharing this experience with another MBA program was a great way to exchange ideas and opinions with other bright-minded students. Our visit to La Biosthetique, in Paris, was an amazing way to cap off the week with a look into a unique company, targeting a specific niche in the cosmetics industry. Without a doubt, this was a great highlight of my entire Pforzheim MBA experience." Evan Hahn from Canada