Meet HHL’ Partner University: Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth

From HHL to the US: Spend a term abroad at Tuck

At HHL we know that international competence is essential for success as a business leader. That is why we make sure our students have the opportunity to spend a term abroad at some of the most prestigious business schools in the world. From Chicago Booth to New York Stern and now Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, our students have access to top-tier education while living in some of the greatest cities in the world. We talked to full-time Master in Management student David Muuss, who spent a semester abroad at the Tuck during the fall of 2021.

Interview with David Muuss

What was the most impressive cultural experience?

The Tuck School of Business is part of Dartmouth College located in Hanover, New Hampshire. The cities residents consist mainly of students and staff from Dartmouth and its associated universities. Immersing myself in a full on-campus experience was something entirely different and an experience I really enjoyed.

Through conversations with Professor Daniela Reichenstätter I discovered that a group of Tuck students will be visiting Berlin for a tour of the startup scene in 2022. I have invited them to come to Leipzig and visit HHL, thereby deepening the relationship between the two partner schools. I look forward to extending the same warmth and hospitality to these students as I experienced during my stay at Tuck.

What is the most inspiring learning experience abroad you have had until today?

During the course “Ecosystem Strategy”, Professor Ron Adner presented a novel perspective on the way in which incumbents fail to innovate. In the past I had often been taught that companies such as Kodak had been driven out of the market due to lack of innovation. At Tuck we were taught a different perspective.

We learned that Kodak had actually been quite innovative and was an early developer of e.g. geotagging. Where they failed was in thinking that the printing ecosystem would never change. They just didn’t believe that the digitalization of photos would take over the demand for prints. Finding out that prominent cases such as Kodak were taught wrong throughout my entire education was mind-blowing.

How has living and studying at Tuck influenced you? Is there anything you look at differently now?

While the United States shares many similarities with Germany, I found that Americans tend to perceive their cultural heterogeneity as their biggest strength. I was able to observe that not only I but especially the Americans I met experienced the diversity among the students and staff to be extremely enriching.

I believe Germany has a long way to go in this direction and I am noticing some of the mistakes made concerning the integration of foreigners in Germany.

How has your stay at Tuck School of Business helped you to expand your network?

As Tuck students are all-MBA, I was able to connect directly with people in managing positions. Furthermore, Tuck has a strong focus on consulting, which allowed me to connect with people who will be working at the same firm I will be working for after my graduation in June 2022. It was invaluable to connect with colleagues at McKinsey and learn from their experience and be able to ask them for advice.

Study Abroad Opportunities at HHL

Our partner universities

How has HHL supported you during your time abroad?

Despite the regulations around COVID-19, HHL was consistently supportive and helpful in planning my semester abroad. It allowed me to approach the difficulties knowing that if anything went wrong, there would be an alternative and I wouldn’t be left stranded.

While the pandemic did pose some challenges, I was still able to attend classes in person and even travel to Canada, Bosten, New York with friends and classmates.