‘I've always had a burning desire to study abroad. I knew deep down it would be a chance for me to break out of my comfort zone and discover my own independence. Germany is the heart and soul of modern engineering, producing innovative and high-performance vehicles such as the BMW and Mercedes-Benz. I recognised that to truly learn and understand the intricacies of efficient machinery, I needed to immerse myself in a place renowned for its precision engineering. I also needed to fulfil my desire to visit the many vibrant German cities and to experience the freedom of traveling throughout the country and beyond.
Compared to the classes back home, there is a distinct emphasis on the application of knowledge rather than just theory at HAW Hamburg. In my 'Architecture of the Aircraft Cabin' class, we were able to work inside the cabin of an Airbus 319! Getting up close to the fuselage of an A300 or the cabin of a plane, instead of looking at it on a computer screen, made a huge difference to my study experience in Hamburg. At CSULB, obtaining any such practical experience would typically require me to have an internship. Unquestionably, this class holds a special place in my heart as it epitomises my favourite educational experience.
Recognising the immense value of furthering my knowledge in aircraft, I made the decision to extend my studies in Hamburg by one more semester to fully take advantage of the renowned aeronautical engineering department. In the upcoming semester, my focus will be a research project on the preliminary sizing and optimisation of smaller propeller aircraft as part of Prof. Dr. Scholz’s AERO research team. Moreover, this additional semester grants me time to further improve my knowledge of the German language. I also hope to get some sort of student job, which will not only provide financial support but also serve as a guide for interacting with locals and improving my German. I am eager to engage in conversations and truly embrace the linguistic aspect of German culture.
