50 Stories for 50 Years: Tobias Ragge '93
To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person's dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST's dedicated board members, dynamic staff, welcoming host families and enthusiastic ASSIST Scholars.
Tobias Ragge '93
Germany, Indian Springs School
I was fifteen years of age when my mom told me she wanted me to spend a year at a US high school.
At first I didn't find this idea appealing at all. I told her I won't apply for this and she would have to write my application herself. Fun fact: I was awarded a full scholarship and was sent to Indian Springs School in Alabama, which I hadn't even known back then.
The first weeks were tough as a new boarding school student having to wash his clothes for his first time and trying to understand the strong southern accent. But thanks to the openness of my fellow students and my soccer skills, I quickly become part of the school community. I enjoyed living there so much that after 3 months, any thought of wanting to leave had vanished.
I made great friends and gained so many new experiences—but most of all, that ASSIST year made me grow up. My friends and I also did some stupid things as well, which I am not going to mention here—but it all prepared me well for my future life, and not only in terms of language acquisition or cultural learning. When it came to my own personal development and character, that ASSIST year was particularly impactful.
Afterwards I kept a close contact with some of the students at Indian Springs and visited many years afterwards; I still attend some of their alumni meetings. Looking back from a broader perspective, I can now see that my ASSIST year was the first life-changing experience that got me excited about the world outside of Germany. I then began studying and accepting internships all over the world.
Today I'm fortunate enough to run my own enterprise, which is considered a global champion in its niche. My company operates in over 35 markets and employs 1,500 people. For that growth to happen, I had to have an explicit desire to understand the cultures of the world and to build up local operations—all of which began with my ASSIST year in America. I'm proud I had the opportunity to be part of this wonderful network. I can only encourage more young kids to apply for this life-changing experience.
About Tobias:
Tobias Ragge is CEO of the worldwide activities of the HRS Group. Tobias studied international business administration at the European Business School in Oestrich-Winkel. After successfully completing his MBA in 2001, the business graduate began his professional career with Europe’s leading airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG. As a participant in the Lufthansa High-Potential Program, he worked in the areas of corporate strategy, eCommerce, CRM, and mergers & acquisitions.
He is a globally recognized speaker at industry events of all kinds. Over the past five years, the renowned BTN Group has voted him three times as one of the 25 most globally influential personalities in the business travel market. In 2018, HSMAI Europe (Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International) named him one of the top 25 hospitality industry leaders in Europe.