Excellent international student studies at Virginia Tech

At Virginia Tech, he completed the courses ‘Avionics Systems’, ‘Air Vehicle Design’, ‘Astromechanics’ and ‘Principles of Economics’, all of which could be credited towards his degree programme at HAW Hamburg. He also wrote a student research project and completed excursions, which meant that he gained a total of 30 ECTS credits and continued to remain on track for graduation. ‘My favourite subject was Avionics Systems. This course made me realise that avionics would give my academic career a new direction. The first lectures are dedicated to the concept of ‘Systems Thinking’. This teaches how problems are systematically solved through clearly defined processes. It made me realise that, like most engineers, I had often practised ‘solutioneering’: an approach in which you believe you have a solution as soon as you are confronted with a problem. However, a solution is not always the actual goal – it is the way to get there that is decisive. In my opinion, avionics systems is a course that every HAW Hamburg exchange student should take at VT. Once you've taken it, you'll never look at the aviation industry the same way again.’

Lawrence coped extremely well with the demanding degree programme at Virginia Tech, as evidenced by the grades on his US transcript. And he worked very hard for those grades. But he also has a special piece of advice: ‘Studying in the USA can be extremely challenging – especially if you're on a course without students you know better. In situations like this, it pays to be strategic. What I particularly noticed in Blacksburg is that Americans are very open, and it is surprisingly easy to make new contacts. My advice is therefore to actively approach other students, introduce yourself as an exchange student and ask about their approach to a task, for example. These conversations often lead not only to helpful study groups, but also to valuable friendships.’

It should be emphasised at this point that the semester in Blacksburg was not just about studying and writing exams. Lawrence used the proximity to Washington and New York to fulfil another dream and explore these cities. ‘My personal highlight was my visit to New York City, my absolute favourite city. I had long dreamed of seeing the famous landmarks such as the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge with my own eyes. When I finally walked through the streets of Manhattan, surrounded by the imposing skyscrapers, it felt almost surreal.’

Lawrence has been back in Hamburg since January and will continue his studies from April with his main internship at the DLR Institute of Lightweight Structures in Stade. He will also write his bachelor's thesis there and, if everything goes according to plan, will complete his bachelor's degree in September 2025. He then plans to start his master's programme. All in all, very impressive. When we took his photograph for the article, he summarised what the semester abroad in the USA meant to him: ‘It was a step out of my comfort zone, a decisive moment on the path to my own identity. I learnt to actively approach people and get involved in groups – a skill that will be invaluable in my future career. I learnt to deal with uncertainty and to embrace new things. The experience of coping alone in a completely new environment has shown me that I am stronger than I think I am. This semester was not only a time of study, but also a time of experience, reflection and personal growth.’

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Text & photo: Ingrid Weatherall