During the spring this year, 19 ECE students travelled to Germany as part of the IEEE Germany Trip hosted by the IEEE Student Branch – UBC Chapter. We visited technological companies and universities such as Vodafone, ABB, Vossloh Kiepe, Bombardier, GE, BMW, and the Cologne University of Applied Sciences. While touring company facilities, we were able to learn about their products and research projects, network with representatives, observe German work environments, and explore career opportunities offered by these various organizations. Not only did we have the opportunity to ride in their advanced train systems across the country, we were able to learn how these world-class German trains and automobiles are engineered and manufactured.
ECE Students touring the facilities at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences
For many students on the trip, including myself, this was our first visit to Germany, and we were excited to seek and learn about the similarities and differences between German and Canadian lifestyles. We tasted German cuisine, learned about their history, participated in their festivities, and made countless memories.
As a participant and organizer of this trip, leading such a large group of students to navigate through foreign cities such as Dusseldorf, Berlin, and Munich was certainly difficult, but the trip was a rewarding and memorable experience to travel with other students with similar technological background and visit engineering companies abroad. This trip wouldn’t have been so successful without the cooperation from all participating students, and the support from UBC and the ECE department to enable us to experience and learn about technology beyond the classroom.