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Despite the current heatwave in Aalen, Nathan Turner, a mechanical engineering student from the Colorado School of Mines, has quickly settled into his new surroundings. Photo: private

Anyone strolling across the Aalen University campus will hear snippets of many different languages – Georgian, English, Spanish, Arabic, or Nepali, to name just a few. Students from all over the world bring the campus to life, creating a truly international atmosphere. With partnerships at more than 130 universities worldwide, Aalen University maintains strong global connections. In this series, we introduce some of the inspiring students from our partner institutions who have chosen to continue their academic journey in Aalen – this time featuring Nathan Turner from the United States.

When Turner arrived in Aalen on a cold, rainy Sunday in March and took his first walk through the city center, he experienced a moment of culture shock:
“The city was completely deserted, and all the shops were closed. In America, Sundays are for shopping and the streets are always full of people,” he recalls with a laugh. Then he adds: “By now, that first impression has completely changed. Aalen has a lot to offer – and you can really feel that in the people here.”

The 21-year-old comes from Ohio, a state in the American Midwest, and grew up in a suburb of Cincinnati. The trading and manufacturing hub is also known as the “Queen City of the West.” Turner explains with a smile how his hometown ended up with a rather unusual mascot:
“The city’s industrial boom began around 1850 with enormous slaughterhouses. Back then, pigs were transported on flatboats along the river. Because of all the industrial smoke, you could only see the pigs, which made it look as if they were flying. Ever since, the flying pig has been our city mascot.”

Tracing His Roots

Roughly 26 percent of Ohio’s residents have German ancestry. Nathan Turner’s grandmother belongs to this group: she was born in Darmstadt and emigrated to the United States in the mid-1950s.

“German culture is still very present in Ohio,” Turner notes. “We even have genuinely authentic German restaurants. So tasting Spätzle in Aalen was by no means a first for me.”

At home, English is the family’s everyday language, but German expressions occasionally find their way into conversation. “I wouldn’t say I can really speak German,” Turner admits with a smile. “But I successfully completed the A1 course and immediately enrolled in A2 at the university.”

Turner had already visited Germany twice as a child, albeit only briefly. For his semester abroad, however, he made a conscious decision to come to Aalen—with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of the country and its people.

Mechanical Engineering in Colorado and Aalen

Since 2022, Nathan Turner has been pursuing his degree in mechanical engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, one of Aalen University’s partner institutions. Located just outside Denver, the school is regarded as one of the most prestigious technical universities in the United States.

“The level of support at both universities is comparable and very high,” Turner explains. “There are small seminar groups, and the professors are always approachable. All my lectures here in Aalen are taught in English—otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to study here. That’s a real advantage.”

He praises the English-language programs at Aalen University, which are continually being expanded and attract a growing number of international students to the Ostalb region. Turner is equally enthusiastic about the university’s strong focus on practical application:
“I was able to choose my own project and am currently working on a delivery drone. My task is to design the frame to be as lightweight as possible, and I have complete freedom in deciding how to achieve that.”

Excellent Support Even Before Arrival

When delays in the visa process threatened to derail his semester abroad, the International Center at Aalen University stepped in quickly and without bureaucracy. “I received a direct call from Aalen, and within no time a Plan B was in place that allowed me to enter the country initially without a visa,” Turner recalls with appreciation.

He also benefited from the university’s Buddy Program, which paired him with a local student who introduced him to life in Aalen, helped him meet new people, and was always available to answer questions. “It really couldn’t have been better,” he says.

Thanks to this support network, Turner now feels completely at home in Aalen. A passionate coffee enthusiast, he has already found two favorite cafés: Luis Brasserie and Samocca. The latter impressed him not only with its in-house coffee roaster, but also with its inclusive work model that employs people with disabilities—something he had not previously encountered in the United States.

“Even though I’ll be heading back to Colorado this summer, I’m certain I’ll return to Germany—and hopefully to Aalen as well,” Turner concludes with confidence.