Study week in southern Germany

The International Business Management and Sustainability course once again organized a study week this year. This time, however, the study week remained in the region: in addition to visits to leading companies, the program also included numerous cultural events and museum visits. The week offered a wide range of insights into the economic, historical and cultural features of the Lake Constance-Upper Swabia region.

The major companies in the region and their connections to each other

The week began with a visit to the Dornier Museum. The guided tour illustrated the lasting impact that Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin had on the Lake Constance region. The Zeppelin industry gave rise to the Dornier Group, which in turn collaborated with Rolls-Royce for engine production. Today, Rolls-Royce is the owner of mtu, one of the most important employers in the region. And as it turned out, the company ZF had also emerged from Zeppelin GmbH. The visit to the Dornier Museum gave the students an understanding of the four largest companies in the region and their long history and links to each other.

Exclusive insights

Numerous companies in the region were visited during the rest of the study week. The first stop was ZF in Friedrichshafen, where the new ZF Forum became the starting point for a journey through the company's history. At RAFI in Ravensburg/Berg, the RWU group was able to experience production and quality assurance measures live.

In Markdorf, they then visited J. Wagner GmbH, a market-leading manufacturer of equipment and systems for applying wet and powder coatings, paints and other liquid materials to surfaces. The participants were able to test the company's products live in the training area and show their artistic side.

Kumavision in Markdorf showed the students the typical work of a consultant. CellForm in Baienfurt gave an insight into the production process of bipolar membranes for fuel cells. Finally, the group was welcomed to the House of Ideas in Aulendorf for a brainstorming session.

History and culture

The students gained a wide range of insights into the local culture and history by visiting various museums. The first stop was a visit to the House of Cultures in Friedrichshafen. The reports on integration in Germany and especially in the Lake Constance region were very interesting for the international participants. The tour continued at the Hymer Museum in Bad Waldsee, where a guided tour presented the history of mobile living.

In Ravensburg, the students explored the history and products of the major local supplier of board games at the Ravensburger Museum. The voyage of discovery continued at Humpis Quartier with a special focus on local trading history. The final stop in Ravensburg was the art museum opposite.

The study week ended with a guided tour of Lindau and a visit to the Cavazzen Museum.