Four years ago, Hany Dawood arrived in Hof from Syria without any knowledge of German – in a new country, a new education system, and a completely unfamiliar environment. But his goal was clear from the outset: a master’s degree in supply chain management. Today, he holds his degree certificate from Hof University in his hands – with an impressive final grade of 1.8. In addition to his intensive studies, he gained valuable practical experience at the BSH Home Appliances Group, where he worked on data analysis, process optimization, and the standardization of logistics processes.
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In an interview with campuls-digital, he talks about how he overcame language barriers, the role played by the support he received at Hof University, and what his next steps will be.
Mr. Dawood, congratulations on your successful graduation. But how did your journey begin?
“The desire to do a master’s degree has actually been with me for a very long time. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I was determined to continue my studies. However, due to the situation in my home country, this was not possible, so I worked during this time. Nevertheless, the idea never went away. I always had it in my mind that I would study again at some point, preferably in a country like Germany. For me, Germany stood for good education and a real chance to start over.
At some point, I said to myself: If I don’t do it now, I’ll probably never do it. So I made a conscious decision to start my life over again – new language, new environment, new culture. I knew it would be difficult. But it was my personal dream, and I didn’t want to reproach myself later for never having tried.”
Hany Dawood
How did you manage to integrate linguistically so quickly that you were able to successfully complete a demanding master’s degree?
“The first two years in Germany consisted almost entirely of language courses for me. I was at language school almost every day, trying to get by in everyday life. It wasn’t easy, but at the same time it was motivating because you notice a little bit of progress every day. When I reached C1, I was honestly quite convinced that my German was really good now. I applied to the university, was accepted—and then came the first lectures.”
…and then?
“That’s when reality hit. I sat in the lecture hall and understood almost nothing. I had the feeling that everyone around me could follow along—except me. After the lectures, I was completely exhausted and my head was really buzzing. I wondered if I had enrolled too early and if the master’s program was perhaps too much for me and whether I shouldn’t just look for a simple job instead.
Nevertheless, I wanted to at least give it a proper try. So I started asking a lot of questions, reading everything and paying attention to every little detail. Week by week, things slowly got better. The first semester was extremely exhausting, but my fellow students and professors were very supportive – especially Prof. Lender. That gave me a lot of confidence. In the second semester, I understood much more and also gained a lot more self-confidence. That difficult initial phase was probably the most important time of my studies.
At the end, I was even allowed to accompany new students as the main mentor in the Supply Chain Management and Logistics program for two semesters – and that was a moment I am really proud of.”
Where did your clear focus on supply chain management come from, and what convinced you to choose Hof University?
“I was interested in supply chain management because I had always been curious about how companies actually work behind the scenes. As a customer, you only see the finished product, but behind it there are many processes, planning, and coordination. It was precisely this interplay that I found exciting.
I chose Hof University because it is very practical. The courses are clearly structured, the groups are smaller, and you have direct contact with the professors. This was particularly important for me as an international student because you can ask questions and really get support.
Hany Dawood
Looking back, it was a very good decision. I never felt like I was just a number, but really part of the program.
How did you find your studies and the support and guidance at Hof University overall?
I found studying at Hof University to be a very personal experience. The professors really know the students by name. You could ask questions at any time, even after the lecture or by email. That was very important to me, especially in the first few semesters. As an international student, you have a lot of uncertainties—not only in terms of the subject matter, but also in terms of language and organization. But I always felt that I was getting support and that someone was taking me seriously. What I particularly liked was the open atmosphere. You didn’t feel inhibited about asking questions, even if they were simple ones. That makes you feel integrated more quickly.
I also found the projects with companies very helpful. There, you see for the first time how processes really work in reality. You quickly realize that many things are different from what you learn in textbooks. You learn to deal with real problems, talk to different departments, and implement solutions in a practical way. As a student, this gives you a lot of confidence and motivation because you understand what you are actually learning for.”
In your opinion, what were the most important factors for success—discipline, time management, support, practical experience? And what advice would you give to others?
“I think it was a mixture of everything. Support from fellow students and professors was important, as was practical experience. But if I had to choose one thing, it would be consistency. You don’t feel motivated every day. There were many days when I didn’t feel like it or was tired. The difference is whether you keep going anyway. I tried to set myself small goals: study a little every day, start my homework early, and not put everything off until just before the exam.
Another point was to accept help. At the beginning, you often think you have to do everything on your own – but especially in college, it’s normal to ask questions. That way, you learn faster and have less stress. My advice to other students: Don’t compare yourself too much to others. Everyone has a different pace and a different background. The important thing is to keep at it. Even if it seems difficult at first, at some point you’ll notice that it gets easier step by step.”
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During your studies, you worked at the BSH Home Appliances Group, focusing on data analysis, process optimization, and standardization of logistics processes. How did this practical experience enrich your studies—and vice versa?
“Working at BSH was a very important step for me during my studies. In lectures, you learn many methods and terms, but it’s only in a company that you understand why they are really needed. I realized there that real-world processes are much more complex than in a textbook. Data is not always complete, processes have evolved over time, and often several departments work on the same issue at the same time. This suddenly gave the content of my studies practical meaning.
Conversely, my studies helped me to think in a more structured way. I was able to analyze problems better, ask more specific questions, and make small suggestions for improvement. I found it particularly exciting to see how theory and practice complement each other. For me, this was the phase in which I realized that what I was studying was not just theory, but something that could really be applied in everyday life.
Where will the journey take you now—towards industry, consulting, or further specialization in supply chain, data analytics, or lean management?
“In the short term, I definitely see myself in industry. I want to really understand the processes in a company, take on responsibility, and gain practical experience. I’m particularly interested in topics such as process improvement, data analysis, and the connection between logistics and digitalization. In the long term, I can also imagine myself in a consulting role. But first, I want to build a solid foundation in practice and really get to know everyday working life. My goal is not just to have a job, but to build up my skills step by step. At some point, I want to be able to say that I don’t just know processes from books, but have experienced and helped shape them myself. That’s why I don’t see the master’s degree as the end, but rather as the beginning of a new chapter.”
Thank you very much for talking to us, and good luck!
