Originally from Germany, Katja Manthei was introduced to Mason when she worked in Arlington as an au pair. Here, she shares her experiences as an international student and Fulbright Scholar in Mason’s Master’s in Management program.
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Why did you pursue your Master’s in Management (MSM)?
I have a background in media and my ultimate goal is to work as a sustainable video/film producer. I wanted to learn how to properly plan, organize, manage finances, take care of marketing and distribution, and overall make essential business decisions. I knew a master’s degree in management would allow me to combine business and leadership skills with my know-how in the field of media. The master of science in management at Mason is specifically designed for students from non-business majors, which was exactly what I needed. The MSM program also brings a global factor into focus, which has always been very important to me. The fact that a career in the media would not tie me to a specific country and supports my urge to always seek new international experiences was another driving factor why I chose to apply for this program.
Why did you choose George Mason University?
From my time as an au pair in Arlington, Virginia, I was already familiar with George Mason University, as I had taken a course for au pairs at the Arlington campus. Back then, I had already wondered what it would feel like to study at Mason. So, when I started looking for suitable programs, Mason’s website was the first one I looked through. And fortunately, I found exactly what I was looking for. The fact that Mason is contributing to a greener future through the Carbon Neutrality Task Force and has its own Office of Sustainability also added to my decision to apply . And then once I had the in-person interview with program assistant director Saul Garcia and academic director Dr. Victoria Grady I had a really good gut feeling because everybody seemed so nice and supportive, and I felt like it would be a great environment to study in.
How has the Fulbright scholarship impacted your life?
The Fulbright scholarship has provided me with a unique opportunity to pursue higher education in the U.S., which would probably not have been possible otherwise. It has provided me with financial support, which has eased the financial burden of pursuing higher education in the U.S., and it has allowed me to focus more on my academic pursuits. This whole opportunity of living and studying in a different culture allowed me to broaden my perspective and helped me gain a better understanding of myself and the world around me.
Moreover, the Fulbright scholarship has allowed me to connect with a diverse group of people and students from different backgrounds, both within and outside of Mason. I have been given the opportunity to develop my interpersonal and networking skills, which will be very valuable in my future professional endeavors, and it was nice to be included in this network of current Fulbright scholars and Fulbright alumni. It has proven to be very supportive and can help open doors. It's a great resource to connect with other current and former Fulbright participants before the trip even begins, during the study abroad experience, and in the future.
What are the highlights of your cultural experience so far?
I would say I have had a few highlights. One of them has been simply realizing my years-long dream of studying in the U.S. at an American university and having that American college experience. I think one of my biggest highlights is coming up soon, which is the commencement ceremony for the entire university and then the one for our smaller group of business students. In Germany, we don't have the tradition of the cap and gown, and I've always dreamed of experiencing that kind of graduation ceremony, and I'm really looking forward to that day and having my mom here to experience it with me.
It's also a joy to be part of the MSM program cohort. I love how diverse the group is culturally, and I can't wait for our trip to Dijon, France, to spend more time with all these lovely people and faculty. I am sure we will have a great time there together!
I also enjoyed getting to know a lot of different places in the U.S. and experiencing different states and how unique each of them is, visiting other German Fulbright students in different cities, going hiking with friends, doing a lot of "typical American things" and starting kickboxing in a gym just for women which I have been wanting to try for so long.
What goals do you have for the future? Do you plan to continue to live in the U.S. or go back to Germany?
I am currently applying for management positions in the D.C. region and hope to find a position that I enjoy and where I can gain more management skills. After that, I will go back to Germany for a while, probably to Munich or Cologne, and continue working on my career there. Perhaps in a few years, I will decide to move back to the U.S. or try a life in a completely different country, who knows! I'm open to anything that gives me the opportunity to grow and work at a job I love doing. With my media background and career goals as a producer, my biggest hope is to be able to contribute to more sustainability and environmental awareness in the media industry, especially in video and film production and support the shift to more sustainability within the industry.
Who has been your favorite professor and why? What has been your favorite class and why?
I think all professors in the MSM program have taught me a lot. My favorite professors have been Dr. Grady, Professor Requeijo and Professor Singer. All of them have made our classes fun and interesting and created a nice class environment. I really enjoyed the discussion sessions and fun, friendly interactive exchanges in Dr. Grady's classes, and I was also very interested in the topic of organizational behavior. Professor Requeijo is also very supportive and engaging in his classes, which helped me a lot as his classes were the hardest of the program for me. I really appreciated his dedication in making sure the classes don't get too boring and exhausting even though they’re tough for many. With Professor Singer, I was able to have amazing conversations about the German language after class, and I was very happy to see a professor show such a great interest in my language and culture. In addition, I also found his course very interesting, and you can tell that he cares about the quality of his teaching and his students.
Do you have any advice for aspiring candidates considering pursuing a master's degree in management in the U.S. from the perspective of an international student?
I would recommend any international student who is thinking about doing a master’s in management in the U.S. and gets this chance to do it! For some, it may take more courage and effort to embark on such an adventure away from home, and although I had already lived in the U.S. once, it was again an exciting decision for me. I definitely had moments of doubt and worry, but I knew that it would bring me a lot for my future and that it would be worth it in the end. It is definitely not always easy, but it is more rewarding than it is challenging. I learned so much, met so many new people, grew from many of the obstacles that come with being an international student, and would make the same decision again and again. Don't hesitate, go for it and follow through! It's definitely been one of my best and most rewarding years so far and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.