Elijah's experience at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

Elijah had a truly transformative experience during his time at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences through the VT exchange program. One of his biggest takeaways was discovering how much he had in common with his peers from around the world. Despite their different backgrounds, they shared many similarities, and Eli found it incredibly rewarding to build friendships in such a diverse and open environment.

One cultural difference that stood out to him was how many German students had completed apprenticeships before starting university. This made the classes much more technical and hands-on, which he found engaging and enriching. He also noticed a refreshing shift in focus—students were more invested in learning and the academic journey itself, rather than being solely focused on landing a job after graduation.

Initially, Eli was hesitant about missing a traditional summer internship by going abroad. But through the mini design projects in his elective courses, he gained practical experience that helped him grow both academically and professionally. His advice to other engineering students considering study abroad? Plan ahead to make sure the program fits your academic goals—and go for it. He believes studying abroad is an incredibly rewarding opportunity where you’ll grow in ways you never expected.

Before making the decision to embark on this study abroad experience, Eli was nervous about the fact that he would be missing out on having a traditional summer internship. He ended up gaining useful experience through the mini design projects assigned in his elective classes. This allowed him to gain valuable experience that he could use in his professional career. One piece of advice he would give to other engineering students wishing to study abroad is to make sure you plan out your experience and ensure it aligns with your academic goals. Eli wants students to embrace the opportunity to study abroad if they find one, and to know it is a very rewarding experience where you learn more than you could imagine.