Who are the hosts of the KEDGE Alumni Branch of Hamburg? 

KEDGE Alumni has many branches around the world, which give local Alumni the chance to meet each other, expand their network, share their respective experiences, and have a good time together. 

Today, we are giving you the chance to find out more about the energetic hosts of our Hamburg Branch.

KEDGE ALUMNI BRANCH OF HAMBURG

💬 GAËTAN POGGI (ISEM 2017) - HAMBURG

Tell us a little about your professional background. What positions have you held up till now? What about your educational and professional background lead you that? 

I began my new adventure in 2020 as a Chief Product Officer in a very young start-up here in Hamburg. We developed a software designed to create web content in a “story” format for both websites and mobile apps. That sounds a bit technical, but my work mainly consists of managing a team of information technology developers and designers to offer an easy-to-use programme which responds to the needs of our clients. My choice of professions has always been motivated by two passions, sports, and innovation. I’ve taken several steps to get where I am today, starting with doing the International BBA programme at KEDGE in 2012. That programme gave me the chance to do two exchanges in Montreal in Canada and Nottingham in England. I also did two six-month internships – the first in events management in Marseille, and the second in Munich as an Online Marketing Analyst in a start-up in the sports sector.

In 2016 I did the ISEM MSc and did my end-of-studies internship in sports event management with a well-known sports figure, and in close collaboration with the French football. I worked on getting my degree with several companies in Marseille. Against all my expectations, I received an offer to work for the same start-up in which I had done my internship in Munich. The position was located in Hamburg, where the company had just set up. After several weeks of reflection, I decided to leave Marseille to move to Hamburg.

With a successful career in the sports sector behind me, I was able to develop new skills more focussed on innovation and tech, always keeping a foot in the sports world, and which was a part of the Business Model. After two years of learning in the best of conditions, I quit the project, and a little time afterwards, I went to work for Cutnut, the start-up for which I work today.

Now you live in Hamburg. What do you like about the country, more specifically, this city? How does it differ than France? 

When you go to Marseille, when you live the majority of your life in the most beautiful of France (said with complete objectivity), you form a strong attachment to the sea and nature. Hamburg is the greenest city I’ve ever lived in by far. It’s almost impossible to walk for more than 10 minutes without passing a park. It’s super great in the springtime and summer when the temperatures are milder. Then, of course, there is the port and the maritime aspect of the city. It is often nicknamed the “Venice of the North” because of the river Elbe, which crosses the city and then broadens out and forms canals similar to the one that you find in Venice. During the summer, you can rent a canoe or paddleboard and travel on the canals, in the middle of the city, surrounded by nature. It’s a unique experience. One often talks about Hamburg’s weather, which isn’t very accommodating in the winter, but personally, after having lived in Montreal and Nottingham, Hamburg isn’t as bad as you hear. I imagine that if you come from Alsace, and it’s easier to adapt the German culture if you come from Marseille. But no matter what, I don’t find many differences from the French way of life other than the cuisine.

What I appreciate about Hamburg is the large international community, partly because of the economic strength of the city. Although I don’t speak German (I work here), integrating is easy because the use of English is incredible. I’ve been here in Hamburg for three years and I rarely meet someone who doesn’t speak a word of English that is much better than our own. Last thing: Hamburg is a city where you can really have a good life, which is rare when you are talking about a city with two million inhabitants.

You now manage the KEDGE Alumni branch of Hamburg. What motivated you to volunteer?

The story is anecdotal - I didn’t know anyone when I first arrived. The first thing that I did was to review the Alumni directory and find those who worked in Hamburg. I happened to contact a person to ask for information about moving to German such as the administrative processes, cost of living, etc. It turns out that he is my co-host. My first motivation to host the branch was because of my good rapport with the KEDGE Alumni team. The second reason was that I thought that continuing to participate in the growth of the school from which I graduated is the best way to give back to the school which launched me on the job market. And then, of course, it's always nice to meet French people when you live abroad!

What are your goals for this branch? What are your projects?

The timing for starting the antenna was not the best, for obvious reasons. But I was surprised to see the high number of ALUMNI present in the city, so the first thing will be to gauge participation in the branch. Then, depending on how the pandemic goes, the goal will be to get together in order to put faces to names and to define a rhythm of functioning to keep the branch alive by holding small thematic events, afterworks, etc. I’m convinced that there is a strong potential in Hamburg to create a solid core of graduates.

How did becoming a branch manager go? Were communications with the KEDGE Alumni team easy?

As I said, I already had contact with the ALUMNI team, so communications were super easy. Jérémie and I received all the important information regarding managing a branch, as well as ideas for themed events. On our side, we got together several times with Jérémie to think about projects to manage the Hamburg branch when conditions are right. Now there is nothing left to do but begin!

Lastly, what message would you like to pass on to graduates and students are passing through, or who live in Hamburg?

We all have a common point, which is our school. No matter what the programme you followed, in what city, or what year, we are all connected by our time at KEDGE. My message is the same wither you are a student doing an internship here, are a graduate who has lived in Hamburg for 20 years: if you know how to capitalise upon this common point, develop your professional network, or simply meet new people to expand your social circle, the branch is a good way to do it. Hamburg is a magnificent city, with an open-minded and welcoming atmosphere. Make the most of it!

GAËTAN POGGI - LINKEDIN

💬 JÉRÉMIE ER-RAFIQI (ESC 2012) - HAMBURG

Tell us a little about your professional background. What positions have you held up till now? What about your educational and professional background lead you that?

I’m currently a web analyst at Jimdo, a website design tool for SMEs created by three Hamburgers about ten years ago. I was interested in internet start-ups while at school and wanted to live abroad, at least for a few years. In terms of the skills I fostered, I was more focused on marketing and managerial functions. I did two 6-month internships during my gap year, the first in the Netherlands, in Eindhoven, and the second, somewhat by chance, in Hamburg. I had planned to stay in Eindhoven for a year but felt that I had made the rounds in both the company (an online lightbulb shop) and the city. So I came back after six months, sent my CV everywhere, and accepted the first opportunity that presented itself, which was here in Hamburg.

After my courses at KEDGE Bordeaux, I came straight back to Hamburg and wrote my final dissertation while working in the customer service department of an internet start-up. After I graduated, I got a marketing job in the same start-up, and then held several very different jobs. After that, I specialised in data analysis, which is at the core of my current job. The company grew very fast, and I often had to improvise by assigning new functions to existing employees. At the end of the day, it was a good experience for me because I didn't have a specific job in mind when I finished school. So I was able to discover a wide variety of roles during the eight years I worked at Jimdo.

Now you live in Hamburg. What do you like about the country, and more specifically, this city? How does it differ than France?

I love the nautical side of Hamburg and its rough weather, which is mostly bearable. The city's port is a major European logistics hub and is a part of the city. The Elbe divides the city in two. Hamburg stretches to the north, the city centre follows the north bank of the river, and the industrial port extends to the south. So the two parts of the city face each other, and boats pass between them on the river, from small water taxis to huge container ships or cruise ships with their foghorns sounding in the background. It’s really great. It’s very green, and you go everywhere by bike, The atmosphere super relaxed. I also like the fact that it’s not fancy, which may seem a little cold and distant at first, but the people are very open and you quickly become close. It's also the second-largest city in Germany, so it also offers culture! I don't really like to compare France to Germany. I think it’s easy to fall into the stereotypes and traditional claptrap around the "average German". I like both countries, and once I've mastered German, I think I will find that the two are much more similar than we are told. My only beef: the grocery stores often give preference to lower prices than quality.

You now manage the KEDGE Alumni branch of Hamburg. What motivated you to volunteer?

First of all, I’m convinced that there is value in developing and maintaining its network. It sounds like a cliché, but it really is the case. I like meeting people, and I like the idea of making connections when we can help each other. Secondly, I'm also happy to meet French people from time to time. I live and work mainly with Germans, so sometimes it's also nice to meet French people. I've also been hearing a lot about KEDGE lately because my brother started attending last year. It reminds me of my time at the Bordeaux campus, and so I told myself that it would be nice to get involved in the Alumni network.  

What are your goals for this branch? What are your projects?

The first thing we want to do is to get a better idea of the number of graduates living in Hamburg. Because of the pandemic, we still haven't been able to organise the first meeting. Once we have a more precise idea of how many people will want to participate regularly. We will probably start by choosing a place and a pace for bringing the local community together and then think about other activities.

How did becoming a branch manager go? Were communications with the KEDGE Alumni team easy?

Yes. Overall it was easy. I made a call to KEDGE Alumni and quickly received an email with more information. I also met my co-host several times here to get to know each other a little and discuss the first steps. We have been very delayed in organising our first meeting because of the pandemic, but we will get there in the end! 

Lastly, what message would you like to pass on to graduates and students who are passing through, or who live in Hamburg?

Hamburg is a large city with a lot of international trade, mainly because of its port. I know a lot of French people who manage the essentials in English or French, but they only get together with other French or expats from other countries. It's easy to do, and tempting, but I think it's a shame to miss out on the local culture. Make the effort to learn the language, or at least to try, and seek out the locals, for example by getting involved in the community or joining a sports club!

JÉRÉMIE ER-RAFIQI - LINKEDIN

Antenna Germany Hamburg Portrait animator