LSU Engineering Students Return to Germany for Study Abroad

August 3, 2023 

BATON ROUGE, LA – For two weeks at the end of May, LSU Engineering students ventured around Germany and Austria, experiencing the local culture and learning about engineering practices overseas as part of “Grand Challenges in Engineering.”

Grand Challenges in Engineering, formerly Encounter Engineering in Europe (E3), is a 14-day program divided into two parts—pre-departure classes conducted at LSU and in-country experiences in Munich, Germany, and Salzburg, Austria. During their stay, students had the chance to visit top companies like BMW Automotive and Airbus, as well as natural sites, such as Berchtesgaden National Park. The course also focused on cultural experiences, allowing students to discover the rich history and traditions of Bavaria. Additionally, students participated in journaling assignments, presentations, and a group design project.

The program is led by LSU Mechanical Engineering Instructor Andrew Becnel, who studied abroad with LSU when he was a student.

“As someone who benefitted from study abroad as an undergrad myself (LSU in Germany 2006), I know how influential broadening one’s horizons can be,” Becnel said. “So, when I joined the mechanical engineering faculty and learned they were looking for someone to lead a short-term study abroad program in Germany, it was a no-brainer. 

“After COVID effectively cancelled all international travel for a few years, restarting programs that give STEM students opportunities to learn in other countries and across departments was a priority for us. We also made sure that it could fit within our students’ busy summer internship season. I’m very grateful to the LSU College of Engineering and LSU Academic Programs Abroad for their support of the Grand Challenges in Engineering program in Munich and Salzburg this summer, and I look forward to continuing the program each year.”

On May 14, eight LSU Engineering students departed for Munich, where they would stay for 10 days, touring manufacturing facilities, exploring museums, and visiting natural parks. One day after arriving in Germany, the students toured the Airbus helicopter factory in Donauworth, outside of Munich. The following day, the group visited Munich University of Applied Sciences (MUAS), where they learned about the German higher education system and “flew” in the Advanced Flight Simulator lab. They also toured and took classes at Technical University of Munich (TUM), a public research university that specializes in engineering, technology, medicine, and applied and natural sciences.

Following their half-day of coursework, the students explored the Deutsches Museum to find inspiration for their course design challenge—a flying sample collection vehicle for Mars. Other activities in Munich included visiting the Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial Site, Erdinger Brewery, KUKA Robotics in Augsburg, and the BMW Welt showroom.

On May 25, the students departed for Salzburg via train to have an “Austrian experience.” They visited Nationalpark Berchtesgaden in the German Alps and the famous Eagle’s Nest. On May 27, the group traveled back to Munich, where it presented its final course project the next day.

Peter Franz, a rising senior majoring in computer science at LSU, said he had a phenomenal experience.

“My favorite part of the trip was getting to spend an evening with some engineering students from TUM university after [touring] their workshops and huge experimental turbines,” he said. “Hearing from people also in college, but a world away, was a really interesting perspective. I would highly recommend this trip as it unlocks engineering-specific experiences that are not possible when traveling as an individual. From touring a helicopter manufacturing plant, to university tours, to robotic arm factories, it was full of unique outings. We also had plenty of German cultural experiences with amazing food, drink, places, and sights.”

Students interested in traveling with this program must be 18, have a 2.5 GPA (undergraduate) or 3.0 (graduate student), and complete all prerequisites. For more information on eligibility and payments, visit the LSU Academic Programs Abroad website.

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Contact: Libby Haydel
Communications Manager
225-578-4840
ehaydel1@lsu.edu