My Master’s Journey in Germany

Nov 13

By Hazel Lin

Embarking on my Master’s in Retail and Consumer Management at THI Germany has been an incredible journey. It all began during my gap year in Taiwan, balancing work and preparing my applications for German universities. Every weekend, I dedicated time to Goethe Institute language courses and researched programs that aligned with my goals. The effort paid off—I was thrilled to be accepted into a public university in Germany, without the burden of tuition fees. This challenging process tested my resilience and time management skills.

In October 2023, I officially began my studies at THI. Returning to Europe felt different this time—I was ready for new challenges and determined to make the most of this opportunity.

Courses That Shaped My Path

At THI, I’ve had the chance to learn from industry-experienced professors, gaining insights that deepened my understanding of the field:

Digital Marketing & E-commerce: Led by Prof. Dr. Christian Stummeyer, this course emphasized data forecasting and strategic market analysis, highlighting how data insights drive business decisions.
Supply Chain Management: With Prof. Dr. Michael Sternbeck, I learned logistics strategies like central distribution and cross-docking, gaining a solid understanding of supply chain efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Digital Analytics & AI: Prof. Dr. Michael Jungbluth’s class focused on analyzing transaction data to derive insights by Google Colab, teaching us to focus on essential data for informed decision-making, prevent compare apples to oranges.
Trademark, Retail, and Consumer Law: With Celina Wappner and Dr. Benjamin Wanning, I gained an understanding of GDPR, data privacy, and consumer rights, crucial for e-commerce.

These courses have sharpened my skills in project management, data analysis, and strategic planning, giving me a clearer vision for my future career.

The Journey So Far

Balancing intense coursework, adapting to a new culture, and building connections hasn’t been easy, but I’m proud to have achieved a GPA of 4.0 (1.8 in the German system).This experience has fueled my passion for data analysis and its applications in real-world contexts. My 20s have been about exploration, resilience, and growth, setting a solid foundation for a global career.