Khanh Viet Nguyen

is a postgraduate student in Automotive Engineering & Management at the University of Duisburg-Essen. Following his passion for cultural exchange, he enjoys travelling and has already spent a semester abroad in Riga, Latvia. After completing his undergraduate studies, he gained work experience at BOSCH as a young professional, while having previously in his bachelor studies completed various internships in consulting, purchasing and project management. His field of interest lies within automation and data analysis. In his free time, he likes to practice martial arts and is a passionate cook, especially in Asian and Mediterranean cuisine.

Michelle Roskosch

is an International Relations and Development Policy (MA) student. While ambitiously finalizing her degree at the University of Duisburg-Essen, she is very engaged in student life, particularly helping international students to make themselves a home. New York’s tri-state area and the East-Coast became Michelle’s second home after completing her bachelors degree in Global and Transnational Sociology with a DAAD scholarship at Lehigh University and spending another year in Washington DC.
Her work experiences vary from business development and geoanalytics to global health and international and federal crisis response. She likes to hop on her bike for a long tour and finishes her day with a culinary highlight – ideally with her friends.

Sven Borgschulze

is a student in the master’s program Cultural Analysis and Cultural Intermediation with a focus on art science. He has previously gotten a bachelor’s degree for teaching in secondary schools with the subjects English and Arts. Throughout his professional career he has gained experience through internships and employments, for example at an EF Language School in Eastbourne, England and the Equality Office of the TU Dortmund. He currently works at the Campus Stadt, which is the exhibition space of his university, in the Dortmunder U, the city’s cultural center. He is very excited about the opportunity to gain professional experience in the United States of America as he likes to travel and wants to build an international career in the cultural sector.

Mariana Bittermann

is a German-Brazilian Master student of Philosophy and Political Science. Driven by her passion for foreign languages and other cultures, she has lived and studied in Spain and Portugal and participated in academic excursions to Peru and Indonesia. She gained practical experience as a research assistant and tutor at her study department of TU Dortmund University and project coordinator of “Let’s Talk”, an initiative that offers support to the LGBTIQ community in Dortmund. she has also worked as a freelance journalist and creative writing teacher. When Mariana is not busy with volunteering, she enjoys hiking, photography, and literature.

Leonie Gimbel

is in the last year of her B.Sc. studies in Business and Economics at TU Dortmund University. She spent a semester abroad in Athens and worked in the International Office of her university to support students who are planning to go abroad. Prior to her studies, she gained work experience the FMCG industry, where she supported the German Marketing department in Customer Relationship Management. Leonie had the pleasure to visit NYC during vacation a couple of years ago and is, therefore, excited to have the opportunity to work and live there for the duration of the TRF program. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and exploring new countries and cultures as well as playing tennis and skiing. 

Maximilian Schmidt

is a master’s student in work, organizational and business Psychology with a strong interest in statistics and data science. His diverse work experience enabled him to explore career options. The TRF will introduce him to a new entrepreneurial environment and working culture and enhance his profile in business development. Through various stays abroad during high school and university, Max’s idea of living and working in different countries has manifested itself. He also values the promotion of cultural understanding and social equality through volunteering. He enjoys cooking, Latin dance events, as well as swimming and working out.

Eugen Mangazeev

is in the final year of his master’s program Markets and Firms at University of Duisburg-Essen. After gaining work experience in different audit and valuation companies in Shanghai, Moscow, and Essen he realized that his true passion is not only about finance and international business, but also about entrepreneurship and innovation. As a venture controller at Crealize GmbH, a company creator and venture capital investor, he is responsible not only for the financial planning and controlling of start-ups, but also for the cash management of the fund. In addition to the topics of start-ups and finance, Eugen is enthusiastic about different cultures, basketball, and classic rock music. Alongside his studies, he volunteers as a basketball referee and manager of the German-Chinese school choir “Burg Chinese Chorus”.