Finding Erb Connections While Studying Abroad

I chose to spend Winter A of my third year studying abroad at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management in Germany through Ross Global Initiatives. WHU’s incoming study abroad students (affectionately known as Tauschies) are welcomed warmly into the WHU community. My goal for studying abroad was to both expand my global network and sharpen the cross-cultural understanding I need to lead in a multinational environment, perfectly complementing the foundation I’ve built in Ann Arbor.

Learning the complexities of the EU’s fragmented yet connected markets and the policies that shape the region challenged my US-centric view of what is possible.  After spending 3 months away, one of my biggest takeaways from the experience was how strong the Erb and University of Michigan communities are, no matter where you are in the world.

Go Blue, Go Anywhere

When I first heard the phrase “Go Blue, Go Anywhere”, I associated it with the breadth of opportunities and career paths that alumni take. In Germany, I was fortunate to connect with Erb alumna Alexis Haass (MBA/MS ‘07). We had talked  the previous summer and the resources that she shared were incredibly helpful as I thought about climate tech abroad. I was able to visit her after finishing my classes in Dusseldorf and am grateful for the Coultrap Family Award for helping to extend my trip to see her in person.

From emails and zoom calls talking about innovation, climate technology, and career planning to finally getting to having lunch together in person, connecting with Alexis made the Erb community beyond Ann Arbor feel even more tangible. As graduation loomed, I was reminded that the strength and support of the Erb community only grows as we become alumni.

Reflections on a Third Year

After finishing my time in Germany, I hiked the Fisherman’s Trail in Portugal over 12 days with two other Erb classmates for one last action-based learning experience. As we reflected on our three years in Erb, we talked about the sense of urgency around the climate crisis and the message that sustainability work is critical, now more than ever. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the news on top of career planning, coursework, and campus involvement. However, walking from town to town for more than 150 miles forced me to slow down, both literally and figuratively.

As we slowly made our way down the coast, the three of us were as likely to take pictures of wind turbines along the ridgelines as we were to photograph the distinctive white storks along the coast. After three years studying both business and sustainability, we couldn’t help but see and wonder at both the human and natural systems that shaped the landscape around us. This way of thinking is what makes the Erb perspective so unique. We get to spend meaningful time in both Ross and SEAS, engaging with different academic disciplines, frameworks, and ways of thinking. Through these experiences, we develop a unique interdisciplinary lens that integrates aspects of both programs.

Much like meeting with Alexis in Germany, I was once again struck by how fortunate I have been to be surrounded by this community of like-minded individuals who share a belief that building a more sustainable future is possible. I have learned so much from my class and the cohorts around me, and have been inspired by their passions and perspectives. As we graduate, I know that the support we shared on campus will continue as we start our next chapters, and I am excited to welcome the newest class of Erbers to our growing community.

And while being an avid hiker certainly isn’t a requirement for admission to Erb, we always support each other on the paths we choose to take.