Matthias Neureither

Photos

Matthias is the Program Manager of our European Office in Berlin, Germany, where he is responsible for our Intern in Germany Program, the Berlin Startup Program, and some other programs to Germany. Matthias holds a Master’s Degree in Art History from the University of Heidelberg, and even though he has worked in the art sector, he is happy that his career path introduced him to international exchange when he worked at the New York office of Cultural Vistas.

Did you study or intern abroad?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?

I had my first longer international experience rather late. I had completed my entire studies in my home country, Germany, and only a few years after my graduation, I made the effort to go abroad – and I can honestly say that that was the best decision I ever made!

What does the future hold for Cultural Vistas - any exciting new programs to share?

The Berlin office where I am working now is still very new, founded in 2013, and just in 2015, we launched our Intern in Germany and Berlin Startup Programs. A lot of new applicants opt for the Berlin Startup Program, maybe because it has the “sexier” name, but then again, Berlin has become Europe’s hub for startups and entrepreneurial spirit, with literally Hundreds of cool new companies!

Both programs offer great internship opportunities in Germany - and Cultural Vistas facilitates the placements. That means, we find the host companies in Berlin or other parts of Germany, which match the background and interests of our applicants, and we issue the required work papers.

What about the future of the industry? How do you think study or intern abroad and international education will change over the next 10 years?

Let me quote Jack Welsh, the former CEO of General Electrics: “The next CEO of GE will not be like me. I spent my entire career in the U.S. The next head of GE will be somebody who spent time in Bombay, in Hong Kong, in Buenos Aires.”

He knows what he’s talking about: International experience and a broader and less linear skill set will become ever more important in the future. An engineer, whose only expertise is in the very field of engineering, might not be as successful, as one, who had a broader exposure and a more experiential development.

Why is language learning and cultural immersion important to you?

Some newer studies suggest that cultural exchange can result in greater patriotism or even nationalism. I, too got a sharpened sense for the differences of my home country to my host country, but I saw at least as many of these differences as a positive, rather than a negative thing.

From a personal standpoint, my international experience has made me more tolerant and it has definitely broadened my mind!

Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of the Cultural Vistas team.

I feel proud every time I read a final report or evaluation of one of our participants. Hundreds of alumni, whether in programs to the U.S., or in programs to Germany or other parts of the world, have stated that their exchange was the best experience they ever had in their life. So I can say that I feel proud pretty often.