MBA in Germany / WHU, HHL or not?

jpecabrera

8 5

Posted Jun 13, 2019 06:31

Hello guys,
I'm from Peru and currently studying a Global MBA at Incae Business School in Costa Rica (FT # 96). I have always been interested to go to Europe to get a degree and they are giving me the chance for a double degree in WHU and HHL in Germany.
Considering I'm 31, I have a wife and a child that live with me in Costa Rica, do you think it is convenient to get the double degree in Germany?
I know it is a great country, great business schools, better salary however I researched and the life cost is way higher. Also, if I would like to stay and work at Germany, even with a good salary, it would be hard to save a lot of money to buy a house / apartment considering I live with my family.
My goal is to professionaly grow but also to get more money and for my family to live well. It would be ideal if we get to buy a place to live.

Thanks for your comments.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Jun 13, 2019 09:08

The data suggest that most people are much better off in Germany than in Costa Rica. Interest rates are very low in Germany, making mortgages highly affordable. https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_countries_result.jsp?country1=Costa+Rica&country2=Germany

WHU's excellent careers services is talented at finding students great jobs. I would recommend it.

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jpecabrera

8 5

Posted Jun 13, 2019 18:41

Thanks Duncan.
In your experience, which would be my estimated salary after finishing this program? Like I said, I'm 31, I have like 10 years of work experience in supply chain and operations and, I had management experience for about 5 years (Supply Chain Manager).\
I know the salaries in Germany es good but I want to know if it will be enough to keep my family life style.

Knowing German is mandatory to work right? I have very little proficiency so I would need to learn it in the next 6 months since the program would start in Jan 2020.

Also, my wife was working while we were in Perú. Would it be possible for her to get a job in Germany, during the MBA, after the MBA?

Finally, about my daughter, is school free? She is 4 years old right now.

Thanks

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Jun 13, 2019 19:13

The WHU employment report and the rankings give you much of the information you need. For personal advice book an appointment with me or the WHU team. WHU is good a finding roles that don't require excellent German. Schools are free there.

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jpecabrera

8 5

Posted Jun 13, 2019 20:06

Thanks Duncan.
And finally, why WHU over HHL?
WHU is best in ranking and I think in salary post MBA but HHL is very famous in LATAM. Some people told me the experience was great and Leipzig is cheaper than Dusseldorf. Are there other reasons to choose HHL?

Thanks

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Jun 13, 2019 20:50

WHU because you and your wife don't speak German but want to work in Germany. That is what WHU does excellently. Location matters. There are global MBA recruiters along the Rhine/Ruhr/Main but East Germany has fewer opportunities.

If you want to return to Latin America and be an entrepreneur, HHL is better.

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Juan Pablo...

1 1

Posted Jun 23, 2019 05:57

Thanks.
I've already talked to WHU and HHL and they are giving me more details to help me decide however there ir something I still have doubts.
It is about school for my daughter (4 years) since both schools recomended me private schools that are english/german but are way expensive!
I know public schools are for free but really a non german speaker child will be able to adapt? I don't know exactly if public schools are totally bilingual or are german focused and just take english as an additional course. If it is the late one, my daughter will have a very hard time, it may be enough for changing my decision since she is an spanish speaker and know is learning english.
I've tried checking on the web but I'm not totallly sure. I hope someone has any info on this.
Thanks!

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Jun 23, 2019 12:22

A milion Syrians came to Germany. Their kids didn't speak German. Now, they all do. They adapted but, as you say, it's a hard time. Your daughter will get through it, and you and your wife will support her. In exchange she will learn excellent German and not live in the expat bubble of the private schools.

PS You can take a look at https://www.google.com/search?q=bilingual+school+duesseldorf&rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBGB699GB699&oq=bilingual+school+duesseldorf&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l2.8021j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 and especially at https://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/topic/336354-bilingualgerman-schools-in-d%C3%BCsseldorfcologne/ where there is a good discussion.

[Edited by Duncan on Jun 25, 2019]

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Inactive User

2.941 1.801

Posted Jun 25, 2019 17:30

Kids at that age are so malleable. If they're surrounded by German but their homelife is in another language, they will be fluent in both after just a couple of years, if that.

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jpecabrera

8 5

Posted Jun 27, 2019 07:39

Thanks my friends. I'm already looking for a kindergarten for my daughter.
Also I'm continuously talking to WHU and HHL but they take too long to answer to specific questions! I hope everything goes well and my family and I will be in Germany by next january!

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Inactive User

2.941 1.801

Posted Jul 02, 2019 03:24

Good luck. You may have more success attending MBA fairs where they'll be. Then you can at least get somebody in person.

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tgfjp

28 16

Posted Dec 26, 2019 11:41

The WHU employment report and the rankings give you much of the information you need. For personal advice book an appointment with me or the WHU team. WHU is good a finding roles that don't require excellent German. Schools are free there.

From WHU's 2018 employment report, the three month employment rate is only 75%. Wouldn't this relatively lower percentage indicate the lack of German fluency hampering job search? Therefore, on what basis do you say that the WHU Careers team excels at finding MBA roles that don't require excellent German? The location possibly helps as you have explained and WHU does have a good rank in international mobility as per the FT rankings. I want to understand why these factors don't seem to help graduates find employment quicker.

[quote]The WHU employment report and the rankings give you much of the information you need. For personal advice book an appointment with me or the WHU team. WHU is good a finding roles that don't require excellent German. Schools are free there. [/quote]

From WHU's 2018 employment report, the three month employment rate is only 75%. Wouldn't this relatively lower percentage indicate the lack of German fluency hampering job search? Therefore, on what basis do you say that the WHU Careers team excels at finding MBA roles that don't require excellent German? The location possibly helps as you have explained and WHU does have a good rank in international mobility as per the FT rankings. I want to understand why these factors don't seem to help graduates find employment quicker.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Dec 26, 2019 12:25

Well, it's good in the context: a small programme, for a school in the bottom thirds of the FT ranking, in a country with few English-speaking roles. It does better than ESSEC, St Gallen, Grenoble and similarly to Manchester.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Dec 26, 2019 12:27

It's certainly the case that a lack of local language fluency hampers the job search massively in any country. However, Germany is more open to foreign talent than some other countries.

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