Studying at HM Munich
I came to Munich as part of a double degree program through Erasmus, which meant I wasn’t just visiting for one semester. That made the experience a bit different from a typical exchange. The courses counted for a lot, so I had to take them seriously from day one.
The project I remember best was a go-to-market strategy for Klapp, a Swiss company that makes a communication app for schools. The company wanted to expand into the German market, and especially into Bavarian schools. Our group had to figure out how they could actually do that. My part focused on KPIs, benchmarks and how ready the company was to grow internationally. It was nice to work on a real company’s problem instead of a made-up case, and it showed me how much planning goes into entering a new market, even a neighbouring one that speaks the same language.
The other big thing was my Bachelor’s thesis. I wrote about the dark side of leadership: destructive, toxic and abusive leadership in organisations. It’s a topic most people have some experience with, whether it’s a bad boss at a summer job or a story from a friend, so it was interesting to dig into the research behind it. I also did interviews as part of the thesis, which was probably the most rewarding part. At the end I defended my thesis in a colloquium, which is basically an oral exam where you present your work and answer the examiners’ questions. It was stressful beforehand, but it felt great when it was done.
Free time in Germany
Outside of school I spent a lot of time at the gym. It was a good way to keep a routine in a new city, and it helped a lot during busier weeks with deadlines.
I also spent a lot of time with my German friends. Getting to know locals made a big difference, because they showed me places and habits I would have never found on my own. On top of that, I had a Finnish friend doing his exchange in Kempten(Allgäu), so we visited each other and it was nice to have someone to share the “Finn in Germany” experience with.
One of the best things about Munich is its location. The Alps are close, so of course I went skiing. Skiing in the Alps is a whole different level compared to Finnish slopes, with long runs and huge views. I also travelled to Zürich and Venice. From Munich you can get to so many places easily, and a weekend trip to another country feels completely normal there.
Germany vs. Finland
Before moving I expected German universities to be very strict and formal. In some ways they are more formal than in Finland. Titles like “Prof. Dr.” are used, and the default is more polite and distant than the Finnish first-name culture. In practice, though, a lot of my teachers were quite flexible about how we addressed them, so it never felt stiff.
Grading was also something I was curious about. Final exams and final assignments carry a lot of weight in Germany, but honestly, in my experience it wasn’t that different from Finland. If you keep up with the work during the semester, you’ll be fine.
Group work was also pretty similar. I expected Germans to be super structured and plan everything down to the minute, but the groups I worked in were quite relaxed about structure, much like group work at home.
The biggest difference was bureaucracy. Germany has a lot of it, and you notice it especially when looking for housing and handling official paperwork. Many things still need paper forms, appointments or a signature on the spot. In Finland almost anything can be done online in a few minutes, and I definitely appreciate that more now. My tip for anyone going to Germany: start your housing search early, keep copies of every document, and be patient.
Final thoughts
Doing a double degree in Munich was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I got a lot of practical experience, and friends I’ll keep. The bureaucracy tested my patience at times, but the city, the people and the chance to explore the Alps and the rest of Europe made it more than worth it. If you’re thinking about going to Germany, do it!
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