Student and Alumni Portraits

Student Portraits

Anna Popova

I've dreamed of a career in academia since middle school. For me, knowledge and education have always been guiding forces—helping me navigate difficult times, bringing me joy, and giving me a deep sense of purpose. I’ve always believed in the power of creating and sharing knowledge, and I’ve wanted to use that power to make a positive difference in the world. Pursuing a PhD in economics felt like the natural path to turn that dream into reality.

If you want to find out more, read the interview.

Manuel Pannier

I have always enjoyed studying and learning new stuff. The PhD can be seen as an extension of Bachelor’s and Master’s that allows you to learn even more about the topics you are interested in, while being paid a decent salary. This was a clear selling point for me. On top of this, I knew that I did not want to work in the private sector after my Master’s. A PhD in economics also opens the door to interesting public-sector jobs outside academia such as ministries or EU institutions, which was another argument for me to pursue the PhD.

If you want to find out more, read the interview .

Alumni Portraits

Silvia Fernandez

My favorite part about the program is the combination of professional and personal development within a creative and cooperative working environment. For me, choosing Munich was about the faculty doing research here. Since the beginning, I am involved in fantastic state-of-the-art research and I have met great visiting researchers from top programs in the world. On a personal level, living in one of the coolest cities in Europe is another bonus. There is always an activity for any taste, and finding yourself in nature is just a matter of minutes. I especially love the mountains surrounding the city, which offer unforgettable hiking and skiing experiences. I highly recommend the MGSE to students interested in spending the week doing great microeconomic research, and the weekends in the Alps!

Mehmet Ayaz

I am genuinely happy that I chose to study at Munich Graduate School of Economics. It has contributed a lot to me academically and personally. After obtaining my bachelor's degree in Turkey, I knew that I wanted to learn more about economics. Therefore, I applied to a few master's programs throughout Europe, but MGSE was my clear favorite. Luckily, I got accepted for a master's program here. I am happy that it has turned out even better than my expectations. The curriculum links theory and practice very well, and it also involves many possibilities to carry hands-on research. Also, the faculty members are easily reachable and very supportive. On top of all, Munich is an excellent city for students with a great social life.