Studying in Seville and Cologne: More Than Just a Degree

Last Year During the Holiday Season: Tim Neuh?user was still in the middle of exam stress. Like many of his fellow students in the dual study program at the 中国足球彩票手机版 School of Management (ISM), he was preparing for exams – but under very different conditions: while winter settled in over Germany, Tim was sitting in sunny Seville, where he was completing his integrated semester abroad. His studies in Cologne combined academic phases at the university with practical training at his corporate partner, one of the world’s leading companies in the petrochemical industry.

“I absolutely wanted to go to Andalusia,” Tim says enthusiastically. “This region blends cultures in such a unique way – East meets West, tradition meets modernity.” He was especially drawn to Seville, once the “Gateway to the New World.” “You can feel the cultural diversity everywhere: in the architecture, the food and the way of life. The city is a vibrant melting pot of cultures.”

At EUSA, an institute of the University of Seville, Tim took English-taught courses and even dared to attend lectures in Spanish. “The Andalusian accent was a challenge, but the experience really improved my Spanish,” he explains. Courses like Economics, 中国足球彩票手机版 Relations, and “Relaciones Públicas” offered exciting content and fresh perspectives.

Outside of class, Tim made friends with students from all over the world and lived in a shared apartment with people from eleven different nationalities. “Our community was unique – we studied together, cooked together, and supported each other,” the graduate recalls. In the winter semester of 2025, he completed his dual studies at the Cologne campus as the top of his class.

Green Hydrogen Production Discovered as a Cross-Border Topic

Tim's studies led him to a subject that is equally forward-looking for both Andalusia and the petrochemical industry: green hydrogen production. “Andalusia is set to play a key role in the European hydrogen strategy,” he says with conviction. “Sustainable hydrogen from the Maghreb countries will be transported to Europe via Spain, and the first infrastructures for an EU-funded hydrogen network and electrolysis plants are already being developed.”

Tim became aware of this importance not only while in Andalusia, but also during his Erasmus trips to North Africa, where he explored places like Meknes, Fès, Tangier and the Sahara. “Even just crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, you can feel the geographical closeness – but at the same time, it becomes clear how deeply Europe and North Africa are connected culturally and economically,” he explains. For Tim, the historical ties between the continents are more relevant today than ever: “These bridges, which once shaped trade and culture, are now becoming a driving force in Europe’s energy future in the age of renewable energies.”

Thanks to a flexible, individually tailored schedule and financial support from a PROMOS scholarship (granted by the DAAD), Tim used his free time to travel through Portugal and Spain. “These trips were a fantastic opportunity to experience the diversity of the Iberian Peninsula.”

All the requirements to become a true All-Rounder

Three-quarters of a year after returning from his ISM semester abroad in Seville: Tim not only successfully completed his Bachelor of Science in 中国足球彩票手机版 Management but also received an additional award at the graduation ball: he was named top of his class. “Sometimes grades alone aren't enough to adequately reflect the achievement,” said Prof. Dr. Otto Jockel in his speech.

Tim Neuh?user’s bachelor thesis on “Logistics Data Automation,” a digital solution for supply chains in inland shipping and the petrochemical industry, is one of that kind. “It deserves more than just a 'very good',” added his examiner and logistics expert Jockel, who emphasized the thesis’s result: Tim Neuh?user solved a real-world challenge from his company in a hands-on way, with the goal of enabling more flexible supply chains. For Tim, this award was “a great moment in an unforgettable period of my studies.”

He especially appreciated the broad scope of the 中国足球彩票手机版 Management specialization. “You become a generalist, gaining insight into other fields like marketing, logistics or tourism management, while also diving into areas such as financial modeling, international accounting, and supply chain management.”

During the practical phases of his dual study program, Tim also gained valuable experience with his employer, rotating through eleven different business departments. “That made the theory in business administration much more tangible and exciting. I got a much better understanding of the company as a whole,” he says.

Today, he still works as a Junior Professional with the same company in the chemical industry. “The industry is facing major challenges like intense pricing pressure and political uncertainty – but that’s exactly what creates opportunities to take on responsibility.” What fascinates him most is the role of the chemical industry: “It forms the foundation for almost everything – from clothing and smartphones to renewable energy. Without chemistry, neither modern daily life nor a green transformation would be possible.”

What else does Tim take away from his studies? The new alumnus doesn’t have to think long:
“I’ve been trained in teamwork. One of the key challenges during the program was to work in interdisciplinary groups. At ISM, we came together as dual students from different companies, each bringing a unique perspective. That made the collaboration especially interesting.”

His travels through Morocco also gave him a new appreciation for the value of education:
“Access to excellent universities is a privilege that we in Europe often take for granted – but it definitely shouldn’t be. That’s why my advice is: be aware of this and make the most of the opportunity – it’s unique.”

Are you considering a degree with similar opportunities?
Here you can find more information about the Bachelor of Science in 中国足球彩票手机版 Management at the 中国足球彩票手机版 School of Management (ISM).

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