Last Friday, a group of 18 students from grades 10 to 12 from Gimnazija Franca Miklošiča L jutomer visited Aalen University of Applied Sciences. Accompanied by two teachers, the Slovenian group of students was visiting Schubart-Gymnasium Aalen as part of an Erasmus+ exchange program.
The school contact office, represented by Dr. Piyali Bhattacharjee and Kristina Gaugler, introduced the students to Aalen University of Applied Sciences as a modern, internationally oriented place of study, where.is studying university location. Dr. Piyali Bhattacharjee opened the visit of the Slovenian guests with a personal welcome: "I discovered your beautiful country Slovenia during my summer vacation this year - now I would like you to discover Aalen and the best institution of higher education in the region." The presentation began with impressive photos from the summer vacation in Slovenia - a successful introduction that immediately established a connection between the guests and the hostess. Particular attention was paid to the three English-language Bachelor's programs Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering and Sales Engineering. The guests received valuable information on admission requirements, application deadlines and the wide range of opportunities for international students.
As some of the guests are currently taking a DSH-2 German course, they also gained an insight into the wide range of degree programmes taught in German. Kristina Gaugler explained to the students the key features of the differences between a university and an institution of Applied Sciences (HAW) in Germany, which are not so familiar in other countries. She also emphasized the practice-orientated, with vocational-technical orientation at HAWs and explained the Fraternities and sororities/clubs they usually have with regional and international companies.
School of Engineering up close: visit to the E-Motion racing team
A highlight of the day was the visit to the E-Motion racing team's workshop. Fabian Starz vividly explained how the students work together to develop and build an electric racing car for international competitions. The young visitors were impressed by the technical expertise and team spirit that characterizes the project. Fabian Starz explained in detail how the theoretical knowledge from the lectures is immediately put into practice in the project. The collaboration, cooperation of the participants from the various technical disciplines of Mechanical Engineering, Electronics and Technical Computer Science as well as from non-technical degree programmes reflects the interlocking of disciplines very realistically. Development, construction, optimization, Marketing Management and finance go hand in hand. The E-Motion racing team is a place where students can combine their passion with their Studies.
Support for international talent
The next stop took the group to the International Center, where Solveigh Gauditz presented the services offered by the Welcome Center Ostwürttemberg. The Welcome Center serves as a central point of contact and advice for companies, international qualified professionals, students and their families in the East Württemberg region. She explained how international students are supported in their search for internship placements, during their studies and when starting their careers in the region and also presented the wide range of services offered by the institution of higher education's International Center - including the Buddy Program, the Family Program, the Language Center and support services for international students, for example when looking for accommodation or applying for a visa.
Degree with a Campus atmosphere
To round off the day, the group visited Campus Burren. In the modern University Library, the visiting students were given an impression of the wide range of learning and working opportunities available to students at the institution of higher education. The visit not only offered the Slovenian students an exciting insight into the programmes offered and campus life at Aalen University of Applied Sciences, but also strengthened international cooperation, cooperative venture partnership collaboration. "The day impressively showed how valuable such encounters are - for new perspectives, cultural exchange and the future of young people," said Dr. Piyali Bhattacharjee and Kristina Gaugler in unison.
