DEUTSCH
Prof. Dr. Michael Wasserman comes from the USA and teaches at the Münster School of Business (MSB) International Management. (Photo: FH Münster/Susanne Lüdeling)

Prof. Wasserman, why did you emigrate to Germany?

My wife Sandra Fisher and I were both at a stage in our career where we were interested in some new challenges. We were professors at the Clarkson University for 15 years. From a management perspective, I think change good both for individuals and for organizations. So, we decided to do as we teach and make a big change: I am now a professor for international management at the MSB and my wife as a senior research fellow for international human resource management and management of technology. Germany was not a big surprise to people that know us well. My wife and I had been teaching in Konstanz for about 7 summers before we moved to Münster so we knew more about Germany and the German education system than most US Americans. My wife speaks German (I am still learning) and she did a semester exchange in Reutlingen during her bachelor program. And, as is now a bit clearer to Germans, the educational, health care, and political systems in the US are very different than those in Germany. The German approach to the environment, education, health care, and the role of community and government is, while not perfect, very different than the US approach and the German approach is much more aligned with our personal values.

Why did you want to teach at FH Münster?

I think the double degree and international programs at FH Münster makes it a good fit for me. The university has set a direction of internationalization and innovation, and those are two educational topics and values that are important to me, and areas where I hope I can add value for our university.

Prof. Dr. Michael Wasserman comes from the USA and teaches at the Münster School of Business (MSB) International Management. (Photo: FH Münster/Susanne Lüdeling)

What do you teach at MSB?

I teach international management, strategic management, and entrepreneurship to the CALA and EBP double degree students, intercultural management in the Masters in International Marketing and Sales program. I also teach part of the International New Ventures module that is open to BWL, CALA, and EBP students. Starting in the coming "Wintersemester", I will also be teaching innovation in our new Masters in Digital Business and Innovation Management program.

What practical experience do you bring with you that the students benefit from in particular in the lectures?

I was an operations manager early in my career, where I worked in a public-private partnership with people from different socio-economic backgrounds and who came from all over the world. So I learned early on about the need to manage interculturally and the importance of boundary spanners. I have been involved in several startups as both a founder and advisor, and I have done a lot of consulting in various manufacturing and service industries. So, I have learned many different perspectives about managing people, projects, technology, and innovation. I try to bring a variety of these perspectives into my teaching…so students learn more than one way to view and solve problems, and can integrate theory, research, and practice into their toolkit when they move on from FH Münster to the next chapter in their career.

Is there still contact to your universities in the states where you used to teach (Clarkson University or George Mason University)?

Of course. My friends are important to me, and I still find ways to keep in touch with, collaborate, and learn from colleagues and former students from all of the chapters of my life. But, my focus is on Münster and here is where most of my energy is directed.

What do you miss about the USA, what do you appreciate about Germany?

I appreciate Germany a lot. Our social system aligns with my values. I appreciate the fact that students do not have to pay high fees to get a high-quality bachelor and master's degree and that everyone has access to health care. I appreciate the value Germany puts on "Mittelstand" businesses - that many small towns have employers that make things, that innovate, and compete globally, and these firms form the economic and social foundation of a solid middle class. I appreciate the attention on sustainability. I appreciate the emphasis on good food. I see the positives and negatives about life in Germany, and I even like that Germans are self-critical about everything from the "Deutsche Bahn" to how people park their bicycles…a critical eye means that people want things to get better! A lot of people ask me what I miss about the USA, and besides family and friends, I don't miss too much. Lately, I missed US-style Bacon. I love "Speck", but it's different than US bacon, which is cured and then smoked over hickory or applewood. In a perfect world, I would be able to have both "Speck" and US style bacon. So, now I taught myself how to make my own American style bacon. It's pretty good. I'm working on improving it.

Why is it important to you to do a podcast?

Well, I thought the podcast was a bad idea, but my friend from the US talked me into it right before I moved to Germany. It actually has been fun, and I've learned a lot from the guests we have interviewed. So, it's a fun way to learn and stay connected to some of my network in the US. My friend Bela, who does the podcast with me, was an inventor and successful entrepreneur, a venture capitalist, the director of a startup incubator, a professor, and a university president (and an incredibly nice human being)! So, I learn a lot from him. Listeners write in and ask interesting questions. We have done almost 100 episodes, but I think we will stop the current podcast when we hit 100 listeners and then work on a different project.

Do you feel like an American or a citizen of the world?

When I first moved to Münster, I definitely felt like an American living in Germany - a total outsider. And now I kind of feel 'Ami-Deutsch'. I mean, I am no longer scared of the "Ordnungsamt". I've gotten to like "Sülze". I know the difference between "Roggenbrot" and "Vollkornbrot". I definitely know the difference between an "Alt" and a "Kölsch". So, I am starting to feel like I have my feet on the ground here. I realize I'll never be fully German, but I intend to stay here, and I feel more like an adopted child than just a visiting relative.

Do German and American students differ in their mentality?

In some ways yes, and in some ways no. German students are somewhat more self-motivated, and more structured in how they think and approach papers and presentations than US students. I think this is because US and Germans train students differently before they go to university. I like the challenge of trying to design learning experiences that give students the opportunity to learn not only facts and theory, but how to approach the world, embrace change, and solve problems creatively.

What do you appreciate about the German educational system?

Honestly, I love the fact that students don't have to pay tens of thousands of Euros per semester in fees. This is actually really important - those that want to learn, just need to focus on their education. They can choose a university and a study program that suits their interests, and finances generally do not get in the way like they do in the US. There are some downsides to the German approach - it means larger class sizes, higher teaching loads for professors, and less fancy premises but that's ok. Education is the key to having a better life and one can attain this goal in Germany no matter what your social status is. This to me, is really important. My relatives who emigrated to the US from Germany and other parts of Europe in the 1800s took advantage of universal and inexpensive education that existed in the US for most of the 1900s. It's how I became the first in my family with a Ph.D., and now I am happy to give back to an educational system that generally welcomes and educates all Germans.

Would you like to return to the USA sometime?

I am planning on staying in Germany for the rest of my life. I will go back to the USA to visit my family and friends every year. But, unless life here in Germany radically changes in the coming decades, you will probably find my sitting on a bench, drinking a beer and eating a "belegtes Brot" along the Aasee in about 25 years after I retire.

Your wife and you, do you live in Münster?

What is the best place for you to relax? My wife and I very much enjoy living in Münster. We have a very nice apartment near the Schloßtheater. We enjoy cooking and eating and we like to go for walks and bike rides. Normally we like to travel so we look forward to continuing our travels throughout Germany, Europe, and the rest of the world soon.



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