Over the summer, 20 students from the University of North Texas G. Brint Ryan College of Business traded classrooms in DFW for the bustling financial hub of Frankfurt, Germany, as part of an immersive study abroad program.

Led by Department of Management professor Dr. Jae Webb, the trip was designed to connect classroom learning with real-world global business perspectives. The program provided students an opportunity to explore strategies used to promote productivity at businesses in Germany, specifically looking at intercultural differences in leadership style, motivational tactics, organizational design, workplace polices and other differences in workforce practice. Frankfurt—home to the European Central Bank and some of the world’s most influential financial institutions—served as the backdrop for a blend of academic, cultural, and professional experiences.

“You can sit in a classroom and read about global business all day, but when you walk through the streets of another country, visit global headquarters, and see international commerce unfolding around you, that’s when it becomes real,” Dr. Webb said. “These experiences have given our students the chance to connect what they’ve learned in class to the way businesses operate in the real world. Only last week, a former student from this trip dropped by my office just to let me know how much the industry visits on our trip had helped him to prepare for, and excel at, the company he interned with last summer.”

Over the course of the ten-day trip, students visited leading companies and organizations, including the Frankfurt Biotechnology Innovation Center (FiZ), Inheaden, Merck KGaA, the Geldmuseum of the Deutsche Bundesbank, and SAP’s global headquarters in Walldorf, where they engaged with C-suite executives and gained insights into international operations, innovation, and strategy.

At FiZ, students were able to participate in a joint symposium. Dr. Christian Garbe, Managing Director of FiZ, provided a tour and presentation.

“I gave the group of students an overview of how life sciences organizations can balance the competing demands of exploiting existing capabilities while exploring future innovations,” Dr. Garbe said. “To thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape, leaders must operate with both hands: one focused on delivering short-term results through proven processes and existing portfolios, the other reaching into the unknown to pioneer new technologies, therapies, and business models.”

One student, Hannah Henson (B.B.A. in Real Estate, ‘26), provided insight into one of her favorite industry visits.

“My favorite visit [involved giving] a 10-minute group presentation to a company, Merck, regarding issues they are currently having in their company, and how my group would go about resolving those issues,” Henson said. “The activity was very hands-on and the positive feedback from the company about our resolutions was encouraging and fulfilling.”

Beyond corporate visits, students balanced cultural exploration with their academic experiences. Students were able to experience Frankfurt’s history through a guided city tour, enjoy views from the Main Tower, cruise along the Rhine River, and explore the Städel Museum, which houses some of the most important art collections in Germany.

“[While we were there], Frankfurt had their annual GrüneSoße[GROO-nuh ZO-suh] festival going on. We got to experience true German culture and authentic German traditions such as their Grüne Soße (green sauce), food, and hear local German bands perform nightly,” Henson said.

The students ended the trip with a farewell lunch over German cuisine, and were able to reflect on their experiences and the professional connections they made abroad.

“I didn’t know anyone going on the trip prior to going, but I left with 19 friends that I have memories with to last a lifetime,” Henson said.

Studying abroad is more than just travel. It’s a chance to see the world differently, challenge yourself in new ways, and bring home experiences that will unlock a future full of unrealized opportunities and possibilities.

Applications for the Summer 2026 Germany Study Abroad will open later this year. Any students interested in participating can visit UNT’s Study Abroad website for more details.

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