Student Spotlight: Johanna Pallmann
The Warrington College of Business is full of standout students. No matter their program or major, students are using their time on campus to prepare for impactful careers. This series features exceptional students from across Warrington.
Johanna is a current international student in the Master of International Business (MIB) program with a double-degree in Textile and Clothing Technology from Germany and China. Learn more about what makes Johanna a standout student from the Warrington College of Business.
Q: Tell us about yourself.
Pallmann: “My name is Johanna Pallmann, and I am from Hamburg, Germany. I love traveling. I chose to study clothing because the textile and clothing industry is one of the most global industries there is. With time, I developed an interest in global business. I studied in China for two years and decided to come to the United States to further develop my skill set and global experience. I chose the University of Florida for my graduate studies because I instinctively knew that UF was the right choice for me.”
Q: Why did you choose the MIB Program?
Pallmann: “I looked into many, many prestigious business programs. What convinced me of the MIB program was that I could choose more than half of the credits from a catalog of electives. I like to tailor my education to what I think I need to know. I am now a traditional student in the MIB program.”
Q: What are the challenges you faced as an International student at UF?
Pallmann: “Honestly, there are many challenges that international students face in the United States. Those challenges range from coursework, building a network, to finding a job or internship. I struggled mostly with my career search. Before arriving in the U.S., I knew it would be hard for me to gain work experience here, but I assumed that if I work hard, I will be rewarded. That turned out to be only partially true, because one also needs to be lucky and know the right people. Fortunately, I was recently able to secure a three-month summer internship in Colorado.”
Q: What’s your best experience in the MIB Program so far?
Pallmann: “For me, there is no single best experience during my time in the MIB program. I think spending time with my friends is the most rewarding experience. I am lucky to be friends with many outstanding individuals from all over the world, such as the U.S., China, Colombia, Korea and Austria. We traveled to Brazil, had Hot Pot, explored the springs, saw football games and went to amusement parks. All those days have become precious memories.”
Q: When do you graduate, and what will you be doing after graduation?
Pallmann: “I started my MIB studies at the Warrington College of Business in Fall 2019 and I will be graduating in Fall 2020. I don’t know yet what I will do after I graduate, but I hope to stay. My summer internship is with SumUp in the beautiful city of Boulder, Colorado. I am very excited to work with the SumUp U.S. Team on business strategy development through market analysis and research.”
Q: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Pallmann: “Five years from now is a long time. I am not even sure in which country I will be at that time, but probably in either Germany, the United States or China. I am passionate about strategy and project management, so hopefully my job will be related to those areas of expertise.”
Q: What do you do in the time you are not studying for the MIB program?
Pallmann: “I spend time with my friends.”
Q: Tell us three fun facts about you that we do not know.
Pallmann: “1. I love to paint. One of my oil paintings was part of an exhibition in Hamburg, Germany.
2. I’ve traveled to Japan on my own to see the cherry blossoms. Then, I realized that I am allergic to them. 3. Germans do have humor – It is just very sarcastic and dry.”
