ISU WU 2022: A program and melting pot for academic and social experience

Each year, the International Summer University^WU (ISU^WU) takes place in July and August. International students as well as WU students can participate and choose between two separate three-week sessions.  With about 130 students from over 30 countries, this year’s program met demands and created an overall positive resonance. Students benefit from a unique program that covers a variety of business topics: Management, Marketing, Economics, Leadership or Sustainability, just to name a few.

Lecturers form WU and international partner universities value the program because it allows interactive, international, and exciting group work. In addition to the academic program, WU’s International Office organizes a social and cultural program. This year’s participants were enthusiastic about the program and eager to share their experiences. For WU’s Blog, students, lecturers, and coordinators talk about ISU^WU 2022.

 WU Blog: How did you learn about ISU^WU and why did you choose to participate?

Jonas Krämer (University of Cologne, Germany): I learned about ISU^WU doing some research on summer schools in Europe in the field of business administration. Since WU is well known as one of the leading European universities for business students, it was an easy choice for me.

Jonas Krämer: Since WU is well known as one of the leading European universities for business students, it was an easy choice for me.

Thandeka Jwara (Stellenbosch University Business School, South Africa): I chose the program because the course offerings matched my interests and aspirations. Furthermore, the ISU^WU offered a platform to interact and engage with other students from various countries, organizations, and backgrounds.

WU Blog: How did participating in the ISU^WU help you in terms of your personal and academic development?

Zoha Noor (Lahore School of Economics, Pakistan): ISU^WU helped me to grow on many different levels, especially in terms of living independently, making new international friends, and adapting to a completely different approach to academics and lifestyle. It allowed me to look at situations from a broader perspective, develop deeper analytical skills, and experience diversity in everyday life, which I hadn’t been exposed to before. I find myself at a loss for words to share the amount of gratitude I have for such an amazing program and for all the valuable lessons I learned at WU.

Zoha Noor: I find myself at a loss for words to share the amount of gratitude I have for such an amazing program and for all the valuable lessons I learned at WU.

 WU Blog: What can you tell us about the academic program and the lecturers? What was your impression?

Ashuti Reynolds (University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, USA): The lecturers are extremely proficient and knowledgeable about the subjects that they teach. They are able to approach subjects from a granular and a broad perspective, as needed. The instructors are understanding and the courses are vigorous based on what has to be completed within short time parameters.

The ISU WU group exploring the city.

 WU Blog: How did you like the social and cultural program? What was your personal highlight about ISU^WU?

Wai Leung Chiu (Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China): Apart from academic achievement, the program gave me a chance to learn more about the culture of Vienna and Austria. I had never been to Europe or Austria before and ISU^WU gave me a chance to get in touch with the lifestyle and culture of Austria.

Diwangkara Bagus Nugraha (Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia): ISU^WU is a melting pot for academic and social experience, which is created by all people involved and their diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. I would definitely recommend this program to the next batch.

WU Blog: Being in the classroom with students from all over the world, what was teaching ISU^WU like?

Can Tihanyi (ISU WU lecturer, WU Vienna, Austria): During my work as a lecturer at the ISU^WU program, I really enjoyed how quickly students from all around the world came together and formed friendships. Additionally, by working closely with such a diverse group of students I learned a lot from their different perspectives and personalities.

Ashuti Reynolds: The instructors are understanding and the courses are vigorous based on what has to be completed within short time parameters.

Poh- Lin Yeoh (ISU WU lecturer, Bentley University, USA): This is my fourth time teaching in the ISU program.  What differentiates this program from others is the diversity of students from different regions of the world.  They truly offer a global perspective which adds to the overall students’ and instructor’s experience in the classroom.

WU Blog: From a coordinator’s perspective, how did you and your team experience the program?  

Christina Kampe (ISU WU program manager, WU Vienna, Austria): Speaking for the whole ISU^WU team, we were impressed by the enthusiasm of the participants each day: in the courses, outside the classroom, and during the social and cultural program. Their positive mindset and feedback meant so much to us and we are already looking forward to planning next year’s program. The students grew from this adventure and so did we.

Information regarding upcoming application deadlines for International Short Programs can be found on this website.

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