Germany Innovation in Engineering

Study in Germany for the summer! This six-week immersive experience is designed to introduce students to the latest developments in innovation and sustainability in engineering and environmental planning in Germany.

Honors engineering students get the unique opportunity to explore the intersectionality of engineering, sustainability, and society. Hands-on courses allow students to engage with industry professionals and cutting-edge research. The program is based out of Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences in Northern Germany, where the students stay for six weeks. The trip also featured planned excursions to Berlin, Bonn, Duisburg, Wolfsburg, and the North Sea.  

The program is designed for students from all engineering fields and there are no specific pre-requisites. However, students should have completed the first two years of an engineering major track at the start of the program. Students should be a second or third-year engineering major at the time of application in the fall.

ABOUT THE COURSES

Students in this program will take two courses (which transfer back as IDH 4930 and IDH 4950) focusing on recent developments in engineering research and methods of innovation in scientific research to satisfy their entire Honors research track. They will enroll in the courses alongside other American university students from such institutions as University of Florida and University of Maryland.

Honors students who are majoring in Engineering and who will have qualified for the ULDP (second year and higher) are academically qualified to participate in this highly impactful and strategic program.

IDH 4950 Innovation and Sustainability in Engineering – Capstone Course

This course is an in-depth investigation of recent developments in various research areas of engineering in Germany, with a special focus on renewable energy technologies, postindustrial site development, e-mobility, and sustainable agricultural production. In addition to classroom contact hours, students will engage in industry-driven lab practicals and site visits to engineering facilities throughout Germany to learn about practices and interview professionals. The course concludes with a group research project and a presentation at the Summer School Colloquium.

IDH 4930 Special Topics in Engineering and Society – Core Course

This course has two parts: a week-long hands-on workshop on Design Thinking and Experiment Design and "Living Society" workshops integrated throughout the program. 
Through workshops in Design Thinking and Experiment Design, students will learn innovative methods in defining target needs and methods, testing solutions through prototyping, and optimizing industrial processes. 

“Living Society” workshops aim to deepen students’ understanding of Germany’s current trends in innovation and sustainability by examining their historical and cultural context. Themes will include intercultural communication, German politics and governance, and introductory German language. 

Some planned industry visits include: Bioenergiepark Saerbeck (renewable energy village); City of Osnabrück electric bus fleet; steel manufacturing plant; Volkswagen Headquarters. 

Summer 2025 | May 11, 2025 – June 20, 2025

• Application Opens: July 1, 2024
• Application Closes: Oct. 15, 2024
• Courses: May 11, 2025 – June 20, 2025
• Travel: May 11, 2025 – June 20, 2025*

*Travel dates may be subject to change.

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Each weekend, we leave Osnabrück to explore the cities Berlin, Bonn, Bremerhaven, Bremen, Duisburg, Essen, and Wolfsburg. These trips aim to complement classroom learning by showcasing how Germany is renewing its industrial landscape, as well as exploring German culture and history through museum visits and special tours. Students also have ample free time to independently explore these cities in groups.

Highlights include visiting the Volkswagen Headquarters in Wolfsburg, German Parliament in Berlin, and tidal flats on the North Sea Coast.

This program encourages participants to be more than a tourist and truly immerse in everyday German life. Osnabrück, known as the City of Peace, is a welcoming, student-friendly city with plenty to explore! 

Some evenings include a planned event, such as a museum tour or leisure activities with German students. Students are otherwise free to explore Osnabrück. A favorite activity is visiting the local music and food festival - Maiwoche!

PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY

Students should expect to walk considerable distances. Osnabruck, like many European cities and towns, is rather old and many sidewalks are made of cobblestones and stairs are more common than ramps or elevators.

The Germany Innovation in Engineering study abroad trip was one of the most exciting, insightful, and rewarding experiences of my life. The immersion in German culture, knowledge gained on integrating sustainable practices in engineering, and the culmination of it all in my final presentation was truly amazing. The impact this trip had on me is everlasting. – Chad Hosein