René Esterbauer

• Why did you decide to study for the part-time bachelor degree in “Sports, Culture & Event Management”? What do you think is special about this degree?
  Since sport has always been a part of my life and I am involved professionally in motorcycle racing, it was obvious to me that the bachelor degree program “Sports, Culture & Event Management” would be the right choice. What makes this degree program special for me is the practically orientated education, e.g. with external lecturers or case studies.

• Which lectures have you attended so far and what have you learned?
  I am in the fourth semester and I have already attended quite a few courses. Starting with the fundamentals in management and business to cultural and sports sciences. I learned a lot in the courses for cultural management and cultural sciences which made it possible for me to look at things from a new perspective.

• Have you already taken part in a project at the University of Applied Sciences? What was it about? What was your contribution?
  At the beginning of June I am going to be involved in a project called “Charity Evening for Entasekera Health Center”. Some students from my degree program are planning a charity event to raise money for a hospital in Africa. Together with another student, we are responsible for the technical side of things at the venue.

• In your opinion, to what extent is it possible to reconcile a job, a degree course and private life?
  The desire to finish the degree course successfully is an important factor. It is not easy to reconcile my racing career, the degree course and my private life. But everything is possible with good time management. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the director of studies for the degree program “Sports, Culture & Event Management” for his support that allows me to achieve my academic as well as my sports goals.

• Which career opportunities do you expect as a result of your bachelor degree?
  With my experience in sport and the knowledge that I acquired during my degree course, I hope to have an advantage in the professional world and, after my racing career, a job that is fun and challenging.

My sporting career:
 Sport: Supermoto
 Team: Factory Rider for KTM

2004: Junior European and National Champion
 2006, 2008: Runner-up in the National Professional Championship
 2006, 2008: 9th Place in the World Championship
 2009: Winner of the National Professional Championship