For two days, students on the Master’s programme in International Management swapped the lecture theatre for the unique atmosphere of Fraueninsel on Lake Chiemsee. As part of the “Mindful Business” Master’s module, lecturer Kathrin Müller moved the lecture to Frauenwörth Abbey – providing plenty of space for reflection, discussion and practical exercises.
The focus was on key themes of a mindful and future-oriented working world: mindful communication, empathy and compassion, and strength-based working. The students explored how communication can be made more conscious, the role empathy and compassion play in a professional leadership context, and how individual strengths can be identified and utilised within a team.
A special highlight of the programme was working with an external trainer: the students identified their personal top 5 strengths according to Gallup and then reflected on how these can be applied in their studies, professional life and when working with others. It became clear just how diverse teams are – and what potential arises when this diversity is consciously recognised and utilised.
Alongside theoretical input, shared experiences also played an important role. Many exercises took place outdoors in nature and encouraged participants to understand mindfulness not merely as a concept, but to experience it directly. In the evening, the students took charge themselves: as part of a small project, they cooked together – a practical exercise in organisation, communication and teamwork.
The two days on Fraueninsel thus offered not only professional insights but also time for interaction, a change of perspective and collaborative learning. A heartfelt thank you goes to all the students for their openness, commitment and willingness to engage with new forms of learning.