China is one of the world's leading economic powers and plays a key role in shaping technological developments. It is therefore important for prospective engineers to gain international experience. This is actively encouraged at Ostfalia: Prof Rolf Roskam from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering has been cooperating with a partner university in Hangzhou for over 20 years and regularly organises excursions for students.
Exchange in Hangzhou
This year, ten students were able to take part in an excursion to China. There, they not only familiarised themselves with the campus and the faculty, but also came into contact with Chinese students. "We networked directly with students who will soon be coming to us in Germany," reports Frederik Liedtke, who is studying industrial engineering in his fourth semester.
In addition to insights into teaching, the programme also included cultural and linguistic experiences. The students learnt the basics of the Chinese language in a crash course. "The language is structured very differently to ours. The different accents don't exactly make it easy, but it was definitely very interesting," says Frederik.
Innovation and the world of work
The visit to companies from the fields of energy storage and building automation was particularly exciting for the students. "It was impressive to see how quickly technologies are developing and how advanced many companies are working there," says Friedrich Zach, also a fourth-semester student. Everyday life in China also left an impression: "Everything runs via apps - payment, mobility, simply everything."
Cultural impressions
In addition to the academic programme, the students also had time for a classic tourist programme. They explored Hangzhou, visited the famous West Lake and then travelled on to Shanghai. "The skyline in Shanghai was simply impressive. When you stand at the top of the Shanghai Tower and look out over the city, you realise just how huge everything is," says Friedrich.
At the same time, the trip offered new perspectives on cultural differences. "You immediately realise that it's a completely different culture. It's almost like a 180-degree turn to Europe," says Frederik. Nevertheless, he found the people to be very open-minded: "If you're open-minded yourself, you can quickly strike up a conversation and learn a lot."
Lasting contacts
Initial contacts and friendships were forged between the German and Chinese students during the excursion. And even after this week, the contact remains: Eight Chinese students from Hangzhou are coming to Ostfalia in the winter semester and two German students are planning a semester abroad in China. Friedrich is now also keen to spend a semester abroad himself: "It's simply exciting to get to know other cultures and think outside the box."