Pingkan’s Essential MBA Experience in Germany: Campus, Community, and Culture

This article was originally published by Phillip Morris via mbagradschools.com on June 3, 2024.

Pingkan Podung’s MBA at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management transcends traditional education. She integrates campus achievements, community contributions, and cultural diplomacy into an enriching adventure in Germany.

On The Advanced Track

Pingkan Podung’s MBA experience in Germany is as unique as it is inspiring.

After earning her undergraduate degree in forestry, she worked at a financial services company. Here, Pingkan began to see the intersections of sustainability and business finance. While she learned a lot on the job, it was clear that dedicated studying would enhance her impact at work. “Gratefully, I got a scholarship from my employer to pursue an MBA,” Pingkan says. ”This is a program from my employer to give the opportunity to the best employee to be better and learn more about business administration.”

Her selection for this scholarship was no small feat. She needed to stand out among 14,000 employees through a rigorous year-long selection process. Pingkan used this incredible opportunity to study for an MBA at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management. The school’s robust offerings, stellar reputation, and dual tracks drove her choice.

The Fast Track is designed for swift completion in 15 months, facilitating quick professional re-entry. Alternatively, the Advanced Track is 21 months, offering broader elective choices and more chances for networking and practical experience.

As a full-time MBA student under pressure to maintain high grades and her scholarship, Pingkan chose the advanced track. This two-year program structure allows her to optimize her time effectively, balancing academic demands with her personal development goals.

Embracing the MBA experience fully, she has engaged deeply with the local culture while also sharing her own heritage.  “I still bring my Indonesian culture to be promoted wherever I am,” she states.

Pingkan encapsulates her MBA journey at HHL, focusing on three key areas: campus, community, and culture.

Leading On Campus

Throughout her time at HHL Leipzig, Pingkan has engaged in extracurricular activities that enhance her MBA experience. In particular, she’s drawn to initiatives promoting sustainability and societal improvement.

As a prominent member of the Positive Impact Society (PISO), Pingkan advocates for societal changes and sustainability efforts. PISO works in close collaboration with university management to foster a positive campus environment. She also joined the Social Impact Expedition to Vienna, where students explored urban challenges and interacted with social entrepreneurs. During the trip, Pingkan and her peers gained firsthand insights into effective strategies for societal betterment.

Societal impact is deeply rooted in HHL’s identity, and its mission is to “educate entrepreneurial, effective, and responsible leaders.” Aligned with this mission, Pingkan is enhancing her leadership skills and personal growth through the New Leipzig Talents coaching program. A dedicated coach provides regular guidance, helping her to refine her strategic thinking and foster a deeper understanding of responsible leadership.

This tailored coaching experience has shaped her ability to lead with integrity in both the classroom and the broader community.

Cultural Exchange and Community Engagement

Pingkan’s local involvement extends into the broader Leipzig community as well. She is active in the Leipzig English Church, sings in the choir, and contributes to various community causes that resonate with her values. “I want to contribute what I can do for the local community,” she says.

One cause particularly close to Pingkan’s heart is supporting the deaf community. This passion began in Indonesia and continues in Leipzig, where she is learning spoken German and German sign language. Pingkan sees herself as an ambassador, creating a dialogue between her native culture and her new environment.

Pingkan’s participation in the German Indonesian Student Association provides her with a platform to play the Sape, a traditional string instrument from Borneo, across Europe. Through her performances, Pingkan brings the sounds of her home island to an international audience.

Pingkan’s love for music also enriches her connection to Leipzig’s rich musical heritage. She cherishes living in the city that was once home to the legendary composer Johann Sebastian Bach.

While Pingkan passionately promotes her culture, she encourages her international classmates to do the same. Together, they celebrated a variety of holidays: Diwali with Indian friends, Thanksgiving with US Americans, and Chinese New Year with classmates from China.

Bringing It All Back Home