Between Online Studies and Campus Life

My Double Degree at City University of Seattle

When I look back on my double degree at City University of Seattle, one thing stands out in particular: this experience was not just a traditional study abroad semester, but a program that adapts very well to real life. The biggest advantage for me was the combination of online and on-campus studies. I was able to start online, get familiar with the system, then study on site in Seattle for several months, and I have been living back in Germany since January to complete the final courses online. This blend is exactly what made the program so special for me – academically, organisationally, and personally. This experience report focuses on the double degree as well as the opportunity to combine on-campus and online studies at CityU – including my personal learnings and tips on organisation.

Why a Double Degree

The Double Degree was, for me, above all an opportunity to complement my academic career with an international and practice-oriented MBA perspective. I am studying International Management in my Master’s program and deliberately wanted to gain experience that goes beyond pure theory: international class groups, discussions, applied case studies, and a different higher education system. In addition, it was important to me that the program offers structured flexibility – not just being “available online,” but being designed in a way that allows for reliable planning while still enabling an international study experience.

My study path: Online → On-campus → Online

My double degree was structured into three clear phases.

In the first three months, I studied fully online. During this phase, I took three academic courses as well as one orientation course. The courses I completed were: MBA543 Data-Driven Decision Making, MBA532 Operations and Technology Management, MBA521 Law and Governing Modern Business, as well as OR8000 New Student Orientation. OR8000 was particularly helpful because it did not focus on subject-specific content, but on the system itself: the Brightspace learning platform, the structure of modules, assignment submissions, discussions, and rubrics. I was already familiar with Moodle from Germany – Brightspace works in a similar way in principle, but feels significantly more modern, clearer, and more intuitive. This made the transition into online studies very smooth and straightforward.

2) On-campus Phase (Seattle) – October 2025 to end of December 2025 From October to the end of December, I took four courses on campus in Seattle: MBA534 Digital Marketing/Analytics, MBA548 Financial Reporting and Control, MBA559 Emerging Issues / Strategic Decision Making, and MBA599 Independent Study. These months were the heart of the program for me, as the learning atmosphere on campus is particularly intense: small class sizes, direct exchange, discussions, and a much stronger sense of community. A personal highlight was my Independent Study (MBA599) on “Entrepreneurship and the Art of Creative Thinking,” which was even supported by input from a professor from Stanford. This was a moment when I realized how inspiring an MBA environment can be when entrepreneurship and creative thinking are taught in a truly practical and applied way.

3) Online Phase (Germany) – January 2026 to end of March 2026 Since January, I have been studying online again from Germany and am currently taking MBA549 Ethics and Social Impact as well as MBA523 Design Thinking for Innovation. Once this phase is completed at the end of March, my double degree will be finished and I will receive my dual degree.

Living in Seattle: Cornish Commons and new friendships

During my time in Seattle, I lived in the student residence Cornish Commons. I had a double room but lived on my own – for me, a perfect combination of privacy and community. In a student residence like this, conversations and connections happen quickly because many students are in a similar situation: new in the city, new to their studies, and open to meeting others. The World of Students WhatsApp group, which was created in advance, was also extremely helpful. It allowed me to make initial contacts before arriving, which made the start on site much easier. In Seattle, I quickly found my social circle and met, among others, German and Spanish students. I also met a student from Mexico only after arriving – and for me, this is exactly what an exchange experience is about: chance encounters often turn into real relationships. Over time, several of these contacts developed into genuine friendships, which have become almost as valuable to me as the academic part of the program.

On-campus studies: small groups, international mix, and a clear structure

The on-campus studies at CityU pleasantly surprised me because they are both personal and well structured. The class groups are small, which means you do not get “lost” in the crowd, but naturally become part of the discussion. In addition, there is a strong international mix: in my courses, students came from different countries and professional backgrounds. This leads to discussions where you not only learn content, but also gain new perspectives, argumentation styles, and ways of thinking. Importantly, not only the online format but also the on-campus studies are clearly structured. Expectations, assignments, and processes are transparent – you quickly know what needs to be done and how to prepare effectively. For me, this was particularly reassuring, as it provides a sense of stability while you are simultaneously adapting to a new city and a new academic system.

Online studies: weekly structure, deadlines, and time zones

DThe online program is typically structured in weekly modules. Each week includes learning units, a reading list, and assignments. At first glance, the reading list often looks quite extensive. However, in my experience, you do not always need to read or watch everything; instead, it is important to learn how to prioritise effectively – then the workload is very manageable. A key component is discussion posts. In my courses, it was typical to write one discussion post per course each week. Depending on the week, additional assignments were also required. One thing you need to understand early on is deadlines and time zones. Many submissions are based on Seattle time. This means that if something is due “by Wednesday” in Seattle, it may already be due the next morning in Germany. Once you set this up correctly in your calendar and work with reminders, however, it becomes very predictable and quickly turns into a routine.

Assessment system: rubrics and peer responses

What I particularly appreciate about CityU is the transparency in assessment. For almost every assignment, there is a rubric – a clear grading framework. This makes it obvious what is expected and what “good” actually means in concrete terms. At the same time, active participation plays an important role. If you want to achieve “Exceeding Standard” (i.e. full marks), you should not only submit your own post, but also engage with others. In my case, it was typical to write at least three peer responses. This encourages real discussion and also allows you to benefit from the perspectives of your classmates.

My organisational system: why routine is essential

For me, the key was building a simple personal system. Online studies can easily get “lost” in everyday life because there are fewer fixed in-person appointments. That’s why I work with weekly reminders for discussion posts and peer responses. In addition, I schedule a fixed 6–8 hour study block each week, during which I go through the modules, prioritise the reading list, and prepare all assignments. When assignments are coming up, I set a reminder two weeks in advance. In weeks with a higher workload, I consciously plan more time. This approach has worked well for me because it reduces stress and makes the combination of online and on-campus study much more manageable and enjoyable.

Life in Seattle and travel opportunities: city, nature, and short trips

Seattle was, for me, an ideal study location because the city offers a unique mix: a strong coffee culture and urban lifestyle on the one hand, and nature right on your doorstep on the other. In everyday life, you quickly find your favourite places – cafés, neighbourhoods like Capitol Hill, spots such as Pike Place Market, the waterfront, or viewpoints like Kerry Park. This creates a real sense of home, even though you are only there for a few months. What makes Seattle even more special are the travel opportunities. You are quickly out in nature and can easily take day trips or weekend trips. For example, I went hiking in Mount Rainier National Park and visited North Cascades National Park – both absolute highlights. In addition, Vancouver (Canada) is only about a three-hour bus ride away and offers a completely different vibe. For me, this combination of studying, city life, and nature created the perfect overall experience.

Conclusion

Looking back, the double degree has been worth it for me in every respect – academically, professionally, and personally. What stood out in particular was the combination of online and on-campus studies: online learning is clearly structured and easy to plan once you build your own system. On campus, you experience what truly makes a study abroad semester unique: community, international connections, discussions, teamwork, and personal growth that only happens when you step out of your comfort zone. At CityU, I experienced a very transparent assessment system: rubrics clearly define expectations, peer responses encourage exchange and discussion, and the small class sizes naturally lead to more intensive learning. At the same time, my time in Seattle was extremely valuable on a personal level – not only because of the city itself, but because many of these contacts turned into real friendships. For anyone considering a program like this, my main advice would be: make full use of the structure provided by CityU, and complement it with your own system (calendar/time zone management, reminders, and a fixed weekly study block). With that in place, the combination of online and on-campus study is not just manageable, but truly rewarding. Once I complete my current online phase at the end of March, I will receive my double degree – and I would make the same decision again at any time.