next year I am going to have one term abroad for studies. I decided to go to Europe because I have some relatives there and would like to meet the different cultures there.
At the moment I am choosing between the university of St.Gallen and the university of Mannheim. Both really good universitys in business and economics in the german speaking part of europe.
Now I would be really interested, what is the reputation of those two universitys in the US, have they a good reputation, are they even well known or is it the first time you hear one of those names.
I ask this because on the one side I want to enjoy my year abroad but on the other side I am afraid an european university which is not known or has no reputation will not really help for a career
The average college-educated American would be hard-pressed to name any European schools besides Cambridge & Oxford. All they will care about is that you had a study abroad experience and that it may have broadened your horizons. For employers who are seeking foreign language skills, the experience abroad will look good on your CV.
Just enjoy your year abroad, and learn to speak tbe language.
I’d add that UMannheim would be equivalent to a 1st tier school in the US. It is one of, if not, the best schools for Business in Germany. It is also called “Harvard of Germany”.
Besides, I think if prestige/reputation has any value, then the institution that will grant your degree is much more important than the school you’ll spend one term at.
I spent five years in Germany and have no idea what would be better. I don’t think most US businesses care where you studied on your year abroad.
I agree the most useful thing you can do is to really learn the language. Figure out how to get involved in the local culture. My brother sang in a local chorus. In Germany I found organizations that traded language practice. I became very good friends with my language partner. I also took a watercolor class in the evening at the local extension program.
Umm…please don’t call Mannheim the Harvard of Germany, or Justin might be in for a very bad surprise. The business school is certainly considered one of the best in German speaking Europe, and students will be mostly well prepared and motivated but Harvard it is not. Solid, large state school with a good reputation and if people know anything about universities in Germany at all they will have heard of it Next door to Heidelberg, which is a great college town, with another solid, large state school, attracting a probably somewhat better prepared and motivated student body but student intake in German state schools is really mostly regional, with superstars and slackers studying side by side.
St Gallen is considered another excellent school for business in German soeaking Europe, definitely somewhat more “exclusive”, if only by dint of being in Switzerland, but it’s not Harvard, either. Nicely close to Lake Constance and good skiing.
I can’t imagine US employers will care all that much, frankly, beyond the experience abroad - the name of your home university will mean something to you, and they will care about that.
Choose whichever you like best, or look into the resources for international students who want to improve their German and activities/clubs for internationals.
Employers will care that you studied abroad and became fluent in German, they won’t care where you went.
no employer cares where you did a study abroad program. they actually mostly do not care if you went of not. you should go because you want to and not worry about future employment opportunities being helped or hurt by your choice. it is for your personal growth/interest.
Where you study abroad generally isn’t important - to US employers. If you are working for companies overseas, many employers haven’t heard of American LACs or the top regional universities. Friend who graduated from Amherst a few years ago, and studied abroad for a year at LSE while there, got tired of correcting her employer (at a company in Asia) who kept introducing her as an LSE grad because none of their clients had heard of Amherst. Not your situation, OP, but a reminder that not all employers are American or know American schools. If you are planning to work abroad, it might be worth checking out if either school is better known in your field of study in the country you will be working in.