Our Alumni
Whether in the private or public sector, locally or internationally, our graduates are in high demand in the labor market – find out more from our alumni.
Silvan Berg
"The AFECO program is one of the best opportunities in Germany to combine economic studies with specific industry knowledge."
Current position: Manager, Management Consulting
Graduation: 2014
Elena Zurli
" [AFECO] gave me the competitive edge of learning the dynamics of the global food system along with gaining skills in policy and program analysis."
Current position: Program Delivery Officer at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT
Graduation: 2017
Maximilian Meyer
"Field research is another valuable experience that increases your value as an employee on the job market."
Current position: postdoctoral researcher at Agroscope, Switzerland
Graduation: 2017
Kathrin Poetschki
"I spent the second year of my MSc at Wageningen University, [...] building my network in Germany and the Netherlands."
Current position: Project Coordinator, Agrobusiness Niederrhein e.V.
Graduation: 2018
Giang Duong
"The AFECO program has consolidated my agricultural economic knowledge and sharpened my analytical skills."
Current position: Consultant at UN FAO
Graduation: 2019
Anna Massfeller
"The master thesis, solving certain research problems, has awakened in me an interest in methods."
Current position: PhD student at ILR
Graduation: 2020
Alina Weinbrenner
"Through projects and teamwork, I learned to work with people from different backgrounds in a team collaboratively towards a goal."
Current position: Consultant
Graduation: 2020
Farina Burgsmüller
"Besides my studies I was able to learn during internships and part-time jobs."
Current position: Junior Consultant
Graduation: 2021
Felix Rössing
"By choosing a major, I was able to focus on the modules and topics that I was most interested in. I became good at these subjects, which helped me in my job search."
Current position: Board of Trustees for Technology and Construction in Agriculture
Graduation: 2021
Alexandra Trecha
Once I found the AFECO program at UniBonn, I knew it was the right program for me. The chance to not only receive an international Master of Science degree but take advantage of the Uni’s proximity to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change for an internship opportunity, made my time in Bonn beyond worthwhile. With a B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan, the AFECO program allowed me to specialize in environmental economics, equipped with the analytical skills necessary for a future in the climate and clean energy spaces. My Master’s thesis work on the impact of protected areas on international deforestation rates was completed with ample support from my professor and supervisor, setting me up for success in future policy recommendation work. The program also introduced me to friends from all over the world that I will no doubt cherish for the rest of my life. Thank you AFECO and UniBonn!
Kennedy Okech
Pursuing a Master's program in AFECO is one of the best decisions I have made so far in my life. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Kenya and working in financial institutions, NGOs, and in the Agro-chemical industry, I was ready to pursue an international master’s program. Although I had received admission from various universities in the US with partial funding, the ability to study at a highly rated publicly-funded University in Germany was too good to pass. The AFECO program is excellent as it integrates theoretical and practical training to develop all-rounded students for both the industry and academia. My writing, research, and presentation skills significantly improved. If you are looking for an international program in Agricultural and Food Economics, I highly recommend the AFECO program at the University of Bonn.
Marie Amman
Within the framework of the University of Bonn and Wageningen University & Research I had the opportunity to participate in the BoWaCo double degree program. I did my first year at Bonn University and my second year at Wageningen. I enjoyed the flexible study program and the international learning environment. Both years at the two universities allowed me to get a better picture of the global value chain of our food and agricultural products as well as issues related to climate change and the current fragile situation of our environment. This enables me now to make a good contribution to our food and agricultural economy.
Sebastian Haberstock
International cooperation and team work have always been important to me in today's globalized world. Therefore, the logical conclusion after my Bachelor in Agricultural Sciences with a focus on politics and economics was to apply to the AFECO Master programme. The AFECO Master programme truly encourages an international perspective. I got to make many international friends and learn about their cultures during my ERASMUS semester in Sweden, during my time in the IAAS (International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences) and during my job as a study buddy, where I supported new incoming students to get around in Bonn and in the AFECO Master programme.
Petra Krug
The AFECO programme was connected to my bachelor’s degree in agricultural science with an economic major in Bonn. I was already thinking about working at the University as a student assistant during my bachelor's degree and was interested in getting a deeper insight into research and its background. During my employment at the chair group “Technology and Innovation Management in Agribusiness” I got a great inside view into the work of the chair and scientific research in general. Next to preparing lectures for bachelor and master sessions, I could experience theoretical knowledge from my own lectures in form of participate group discussions, assist in the creation of surveys and discover the end of the research process in the form of dissertations and publications.
Timothy Daniel Butterworth
After graduating with a BSc from the University of Massachusetts in 2010, I worked for several years in jobs involving accounting, personal investments and data analysis. When my wife and I decided in 2016 to leave Boston and move to Germany, Bonn was the obvious choice. The AFECO Program stood out to me because it was offered in English, its curriculum was flexible and it combined my interest in environmental issues and the food industry with my background in finance. AFECO has enabled me to explore my interests through its courses, as well as participating in research as a student assistant, visiting farms and factories in the beautiful countryside and volunteering on an organic farm. I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue a publicly funded Master’s degree at an excellent University.
An Cao
Going for AFECO program was a remarkable shift in my career path – since I had a bachelor in banking and finance and had been working for a few years in that field. Nevertheless, that turned out to be a right decision. As a person from an agriculture-based region in Mekong Delta, the program helped me gain back appreciation and respect towards agriculture from an international perspective. The study program was both challenging and inspiring. It comprises a well-balanced combination of theory- and practice-oriented subjects, and therefore can meet a diverse range of career perspectives of the students. AFECO is also where I am thankful to received invaluable encouragements and supports to successfully accomplish my Master’s degree, and therefore to believe that good attitude and efforts will be compensated greatly.
Elisabeth Stegen
After my Bachelor's degree at the University of Hohenheim in Agricultural Sciences I decided to focus on the economics of food production. My decision to enrol in the AFECO programme was based on courses offered in development economics and policy as well as environmental economics. The faculty's good reputation also influenced my decision. Bonn is a nice place as well - I especially like that I can cycle everywhere.
