Summer in Stuttgart, Germany
Namky Eun Llovet (CIT, '26) spent his summer studying abroad with Real World Engineering: Germany in Stuttgart, Germany. Namky says:
What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?
I loved going on ice cream and farmer's market trips with my new friends. I got to try fresh seasonal fruits and local delicacies like the Lange Rote Bratwurst!
How has living in a different culture challenged or expanded your perspective on the world?
Talking to engineers about energy and sustainability has changed the way I view waste management in the U.S. Europe has many sustainability goals that they are actively working towards and Germany has a few more on top of those. The German engineering industry is very focused on sustainability due to government pressure and it shows the power of effective leadership.
What were some unexpected challenges you faced while abroad, and what strategies did you use to overcome them?
The internet in our rooms was very slow and buggy but that was beneficial to my overall experience because I spent more time off of my phone and laptop and more time having fun with the people around me.
What personal growth have you experienced during your time abroad and how has it impacted your future goals and aspirations?
Even though we studied German in Freiburg for three weeks, I still learned more about German culture, politics, and values from the week in Stuttgart with the Real World Engineering program. This is because the presentations tell you more about what the company values and how they plan to adjust based on current government policies and customer interests.
As I plan to study abroad again in the future, I will reach out to more engineering companies to ask them if I can talk to their engineers for a similar experience.
Any advice for other students thinking of studying abroad?
Exploring street foods and farmer markets is awesome! Some of the best foods I've ever had were found in farmers' markets and local stands.