Learn about one Executive MPA student’s first-hand experience moving from Bogota to Berlin to pursue the programme full time.
Q: Hi Stephanie! Can you please briefly introduce yourself, including your educational and professional background, and what inspired you to join the Executive MPA at the Hertie School?
A: I’m Stephanie, from Colombia, and current full-time Executive MPA student at the Hertie School. I studied law with a post degree in administrative law in Bogotá. After finishing my bachelor, I worked in two renowned law firms in Colombia for over seven years, advising public entities and private sector companies on matters related to public law, administrative law, public procurement, public services, public budget, and infrastructure projects. Throughout my career, I have acquired experience that has allowed me to understand the complexity of public decisions and how the correct implementation of policies can transform (or affect) the lives of people and communities.
After these years in the private sector, I decided to pursue my dream of studying a master's in public administration to acquire the necessary academic tools that would allow me to contribute to a better future and the execution of public policies, programs, and projects for current and future generations. This inspiration led me to choose the Executive MPA at Hertie School, as I was convinced that this program could offer me the skills to more effectively address the complex challenges facing the public administration in Colombia, such as strategic planning, public policy implementation, and sustainable resource management, also leveraging the experience and knowledge of a country like Germany in these areas.
Q: What has been your favorite course in the programme so far? What made it particularly impactful?
A: My favorite course so far was Social Innovation with Prof. Johana Mair. During the course we analyzed this area as a complementary or competing approach to tackle social problems of public interest and a way of development and progress conducted by social ventures, hybrid business models and sometimes, governments.
What I appreciated most about the course was Johanna’s teaching style and the way she structured the class discussions around real case studies around the world. I really enjoyed analyzing each concept through practical examples and exchanging perspectives with classmates during the discussions. The course was especially meaningful for me because it allowed me to explore an area that I had not previously worked on or studied in depth. Beyond the academic content itself, I developed a stronger ability to critically assess social innovation initiatives and connect theoretical frameworks with practical policy and governance challenges.
Q: How would you describe the course workload as a full-time student? How much time do you spend preparing for a course ahead of time and writing assignments afterwards?
A: The amount of time I spend preparing for class usually depends on the course itself, as well as on the complexity and length of the assigned readings. In general, I tend to dedicate a couple of hours per day over approximately 3 to 5 days to prepare for each class, and I spend a similar amount of time working on the assignments afterwards.
For example, in the Social Innovation course, many of the case studies assigned by the professor were relatively accessible and easy to follow, while some of the more conceptual readings were denser and required additional preparation time. When I have two demanding courses close together, I usually try to organize my schedule in advance and prioritize the more reading-intensive subjects earlier in the week to avoid overlapping deadlines and preparation time.
That being said, the structure and methodology of the program has allowed me to manage my time effectively to fulfill each deadline, study, prepare for the discussions and still have the energy to explore this beautiful city.
Q: What is one aspect about the programme which you did not expect or which surprised you?
A: I came with my mind open and ready to learn from different perspectives, way beyond law. One aspect of the program that has positively impacted my journey, is to have the opportunity to share experiences and reflections with brilliant colleagues from different working spheres and from countries across the world.
In our case, the Executive MPA cohort has built a great community, and we generally get along very well. It is quite common for us to meet after class to have dinner or drinks together, which has helped us strengthen relationships outside the classroom environment. Since the programme is less traditional and many students have professional backgrounds and busy schedules, building a sense of community depends a lot on each cohort making an active effort to connect and organize activities beyond class. I think our group has been very intentional about creating those spaces, which has made the experience much more collaborative and enriching.
Q: What advice would you give to someone considering joining the Executive MPA as a full-time student?
A: My advice is do not think twice and apply now!
If you have further questions, please contact:
- Lorena Ramos, Manager Student Recruitment