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UW Global Experience in Supply Chain Management in Germany

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Students are outside of a Porsche building where there is a Porsche car in the foreground. The students are close together and smiling at the camera.
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Students are gathered at a hilltop photo point. They are bundled in winter gear and smiling at the camera.

More information about Spring Break 2027 coming this summer/fall!

Germany, Multiple

Companies today operate in a global environment whether they source from, produce in, or distribute to markets around the world.  Business leaders in a global environment must understand and navigate different political, economic, historical, and cultural frameworks.  This course will provide classroom and applied experiences in global business related to the discipline of supply chain management. 

This course will focus primarily on the automotive industry in Germany.  We will explore the industrial cluster of manufacturers, suppliers, logistics providers, and universities that have emerged in the former East Germany and Western Europe, which today designs and produces many of the most respected automobile brands in the world.  Learning outcomes (listed below) will be met through meetings with business professionals, educators, and students, and supplemented with cultural and social activities.

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

  • Explore and experience supply chain management in a global context, including the cultural, political, economic, and historical impacts on business
  • Immersion in the theory and application of supply chain management in a focused industry
  • Interaction and dialogue with supply chain management students from other countries
  • Immersion in and an appreciation for a new/different culture

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • This program is limited to Wisconsin BBA students enrolled in the Supply Chain Management major. Applicants must have completed or be enrolled in MKT/OTM 421 – Fundamentals of SCM by the spring term to be considered.

  • 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

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Program Structure

UW Signature

Subjects

Supply Chain Management

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Hotels

Program Duration

Spring short course on-campus + spring break travel

Tentative 2027 in-country dates: March 19-27
(additional days may be needed for travel)

Application Deadline(s)

Spring break module 2025-26 12/1/2025 Cost Details
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

Students will earn a total of 2 credits on the program, split into two parts:

  • OTM/MARKETNG 429 (1 credit): Students will enroll in this course for Spring 2027. Enrollment in this course is required for participation in the travel. Permission to enroll will be given to students after their acceptance into the program. 

    The on-campus spring course will provide academic, cultural, and logistical preparation prior to the Spring Break travel experience. A detailed syllabus will be distributed on the first class day. 

    During the 2027 session, the tentative meeting dates/time for the on-campus course will be February 1-April 11 on Tue from 5:40-8:40 PM. 
  • MARKETNG 349 (1 credit): Students will automatically be awarded this credit after completion of the program's international component during Spring Break 2027.

    The Spring Break travel component will include a variety of meetings with business professionals, educators, and students in addition to a number of cultural and social activities. Samples of the program activities are provided below.

Business Site Visits (tentative/examples)
Mercedes - industrial division
Tesla gigafactory
Volkswagen - Transparent factory
BMW – final auto assembly in Leipzig
Porsche – final auto assembly in Leipzig
Accumotive (battery producation)

Educational/Academic (tentative/examples)
HTW Dresden – University of Applied Sciences business school and student exchange
HTW Dresden - research center for BMW i3 electric car technlology
Fraunhofer Gesellschaft – Dresden Innovation Center
Museum of Transportation 

Cultural Experiences (tentative/examples)
Berlin: Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie
Dresden: Frauenkirche, Opera House, Wackerbath Castle  

Program Leader

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Verda Blythe

Distinguished Teaching Faculty III , Marketing

Program leader Verda Blythe is a faculty associate in the Marketing Department and affiliated with the Grainger Center for Supplly Chain Management, where she served in a director role for 12 years. Verda's teaching portfolio includes serveral courses in the undergraduate and full-time MBA program including Fundamentals of Supply Chain Management; Marketing Channels; Global Experience in Supply Chain Management; Personal and Professional Foundations in Business; Business and Society: History, Politics, Globalization; and Ethical Ledership. 

She brings extensive industry experience to her position and has worked in a variety of supply chain roles including procurement and sourcing, manufacturing, and logistics. In her business career she has worked for Ruan Transportation Management Systems, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, and IBM. Verda is an advocate for and has participated in several conferences and programs related to attracting and advancing women in the supply chain profession.