That was the HWR Berlin Summer School 2025

Indian student Kartik J. summed it up this way: „what I’m realising is that this city is teaching me things I never expected to learn. About independence. About slowing down. About connection. And about how sometimes, the most unexpected places can feel like home, even when you’re thousands of miles away from where you started.”

Over several weeks, the international students explored a variety of fascinating topics, focusing primarily on Germany and the European Union. The academic content was complemented by numerous excursions to companies and institutions. Particularly impressive, for example, was a presentation by an expert from Transparency International, who not only discussed global corruption but also shared personal insights from his work in Afghanistan.

Central topic sustainability

Sustainability was a central topic of many course modules this year. This is particularly reflected in the new course "Sustainability Challenges in a Global World," led by Prof. Dr. Silke Bustamante. Using an interdisciplinary approach, participants analyzed the role of economics, politics, legal systems, technological and social innovation, as well as ethics and psychology, in creating a more sustainable future.

But other course content also focused on sustainable development: The “Cross-Cultural Management & Diversity” module focused on sustainable leadership, and in the marketing module on mobility (“Strategies, Scenarios, and Storytelling for a Greener and Smarter Future”), students explored sustainable concepts, supported by excursions to BMW Motorcycles and the ADFC.

Exchange oppourtunities

The short-term programmes at the Berlin School of Economics and Law offer students from international partner universities additional exchange opportunities, aimed at anyone who cannot complete a regular semester abroad. They create space to gain intercultural experience and step outside of one's comfort zone. Han C. from Singapore: "This exchange didn't just broaden my academic horizons. It gave me a deeper understanding of how education can be shaped by culture, values, and priorities—and how learning to adapt across systems is a skill that will serve me long after graduation."

The 2025 Summer School in numbers:

• 6 courses
• 72 international participants
• 27 universities worldwide
• 11 countries (Australia, France, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Canada, Switzerland, Singapore, South Korea, UK, USA)

With this successful conclusion, we are already looking forward to the HWR Berlin Winter School in January 2026.