DAAD Prize Awarded to Carla Soriano

Carla Soriano

Interview with Carla Soriano

Carla Soriano, KLU graduate of MSc Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management, has received the DAAD Prize for outstanding achievements of foreign students studying at German universities.  Awarded at the KLU for the first time this year, the prize comes with 1,000 € and aims at giving faces to the many international students at German universities and linking them with their stories.

Besides your academic achievements, the DAAD Prize honors your social and intercultural commitment at KLU. How did you support your fellow students at KLU? Were there any special projects?

Carla Soriano: My biggest project at KLU was organizing and planning the KLU Startup Day 2019 with Professor Hanno Friedrich. We worked on it for about five months, and I believe it was a great success. Another important moment was speaking during the KLU Ambassadors Day 2018 with ambassadors from more than 25 countries. Public speaking has never been my thing, but I do like to get out of my comfort zone every now and then, so this was a perfect chance to do so. Also, during my two years at KLU I worked closely with Marketing and Student Recruitment in almost every activity they planned, from Open Days to videos, photoshoots and the Welcome Week.

You devoted a lot of time to the community in addition to your studies. What motivated you to do that?

Carla Soriano: For some years now I’ve been passionate about event planning. The KLU Startup Day was a perfect opportunity to keep doing it, same as being part of the Social Events Committee and Graduation Committee. I have sincerely enjoyed my time at KLU, which is why it always made me happy to spread the word about it and help out fellow colleagues from the marketing team at the same time. 

What made it easier for you to settle in when you arrived from your home country Mexico two years ago?

Carla Soriano: I met my best friends at very early on in my time at KLU, and I believe they were a huge support while settling in in a new country. We became so close that I truly believe I have found a home away from home. More great support came from the staff at KLU, especially the colleagues from student services who were always willing to help with any inconvenience, big or small.

You have just completed your studies. Are you getting off to a good start? How and where are you doing it?

Carla Soriano: My family came here for graduation, and I took some time off to travel around Europe with them. I had already worked in full-time jobs for more than seven years, so I’m not running back into it right away. I have just now started my job search, and, ideally, I’d like to stay in Hamburg for the foreseeable future. 

Do you intend to continue working outside your profession in the future, for example in an honorary position?

Carla Soriano: Absolutely. As much as I enjoy working in supply chain, I am constantly looking for new groups and organizations that I can join to plan more events and meet new people with shared interests. 

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