International Exchange Student Spotlight: Jonas Wagner

Jonas Wagner is an international exchange student from WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management in Vallendar, Germany. While visiting the University of Florida, he is studying in the Master of International Business (MIB) program at the Warrington College of Business.

Q: What is your background, and where are you from?

Wagner: “I am a 25-year-old student from Germany, currently enrolled in the Master of International Business program. I initially began my career as a mechanic at RUF and Porsche, transitioning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration after completing my apprenticeship. I completed my bachelor’s studies in Munich and am currently continuing my education at WHU in Vallednar, a charming (but very small) town in Germany.”

Q: Why did you choose to come to the University of Florida for your exchange program?

Wagner: “First and foremost, I chose to study in Florida due to the weather (given the extreme cold in Germany during winter) and my positive experiences from previous holidays here. Being born in the U.S., I had a fair share of experiences and could easily assess and rank the various universities available. After carefully considering all my options and conducting some research on UF, I was certain that I wanted to enroll in the program. That turned out to be the best choice.”

Q: What do you miss the most from your home country?

Wagner: “I don’t miss much except for my friends and family. I really enjoy the American way of living and am planning on moving here after my graduation, at least partly. The only other thing I could think of would be the Autobahn.”

Q: What do you enjoy most about being here?

Wagner: “I truly enjoy the dynamic atmosphere here in Gainesville and at UF. The diverse cultural scene adds a lot of vibrancy to daily life, with various events, festivals and cultural activities happening regularly. Moreover, the lively and friendly atmosphere on campus creates a sense of community that makes my overall experience here not just academically enriching but also personally fulfilling.”

Q: Tell us a cool fact about yourself.

Wagner: “To maintain a nice balance in my academic life, I engage in a workshop called ‘wpgm.customs’ with my best friend and my brother, where we restore and modify vintage cars. We share our videos on Instagram and TikTok, reaching a combined following of roughly 100,000 people.”