During my studies in Hamburg, I have had an incredible time working on projects for my elective courses and learning how to write academic papers. The courses here feel much more personal and interactive than the classes I have in Long Beach. I also loved being closer to the research side of things, notably contributing to the research projects in the AutoSys lab, which focuses on smart sensing robotics. The most exciting thing is that through AutoSys, I'm presenting an abstract on the applications of the data science methods I've learned in Hamburg at the ICSOFT 2023 conference in Rome, Italy. This is an incredible opportunity that I never would have expected. So, my highlight of being in Hamburg would be that I was able to focus almost entirely on machine learning and data science. I started the semester knowing almost nothing about the theory of these topics and am now finishing the semester feeling very confident in my abilities and practical knowledge.
Life in Hamburg is wonderful. My favourite thing to do is go to the different parks with friends. I also very much love the reliable and expansive local transit system that Hamburg has compared to the US. It makes getting around so much easier! The HAW Hamburg programme has a lot of benefits. With its close partnership with CSULB, my classes and financial aid all transfer. Of course, Hamburg is also a beautiful city with a super close proximity to all of Europe which is great for traveling. I have been to Berlin, Dresden, and Amsterdam so far, and will travel to Rome, Spain, and Prague at the end of the semester.
I think studying abroad is especially important as a computer science major. The applications of computer science are incredibly broad compared to some other studies, and I believe it’s important to have a nuanced cultural understanding when it comes to choosing how to apply the problem-solving skills you learn through studying computer science.
Being abroad has added a new layer of self-reliance to my life that I’m very grateful for. I’ve learned how valuable it is to make friends from different cultures. I’ve also learned the impact of language and come across a newfound interest in linguistics. Through this programme, I think I’ve once again learned just how different life in one place can be from another.’
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Prof. Dr. Mehrdad Aliasgari, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Computer Engineering and Computer Science at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), visited HAW Hamburg in May 2023 to learn about the studies and research in the Department of Computer Science. The visit was organised by Prof. Dr. Zhen Ru Dai and Prof. Dr. Marina Tropmann-Frick, who are leading the development of the strategic cooperation with CSULB. During a lunch with Vice President Prof. Dr. Peter Wulf and the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, Dr. Thomas Flower, he learned about the structure of the German universities and discussed the visions of the two partner universities. Professor Aliasgari said of his visit: 'Studying at HAW Hamburg is an unforgettable experience. I'm really impressed by the quality of hands-on instruction. Professors dedicate time to each student in small classes and labs, and there are opportunities for students to join research projects. I learned a lot from my colleagues and their great work at HAW Hamburg. Thank you for being a great host!'
