Business and Career > Young Scientists What's it like researching in Germany?
As part of our current focus on young scientists, we speak to Andrea Siefers. In 2006, the Materials Engineering major from Iowa State University (USA) spent her first summer at the University of Saarland as a participant in the RISE (Research Internships in Science and Engineering) program offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The following year, she researched with engineers at the German company Bosch near Stuttgart through the RISE Professional program. Nowadays, the 22-year-old is helping other American students discover Germany as a Young Ambassador for the DAAD.
 Andrea Siefers What did you do on your first RISE visit to the University of Saarland in 2006?
I worked in the Functional Materials department as an assistant to a PhD student. Her project was very big, basically about properties of a type of steel used in engine blocks. I worked on one part of the project and, using a computer program, designed a way to measure resistances in microstruc-tures. With me working independently, we could get twice the amount of work done. And I’ll be listed as the co-author of a paper she is about to publish.
So your involvement was up to par with your academic skills?
Yes, I was definitely very involved with a lot of freedom in my own research. At Bosch (in the Corpo-rate Research department) there was even more of a free range of what I could do. My boss gave me a task for the project and pretty much said, “You have two and a half months to figure this out.” Before, I hadn’t been used to being given all this freedom to explore my own ideas. That really helped me develop my engineering skills.
Is this kind of freedom characteristic of the German system?
Yes, in the US we are given a lot of direction. In our classes we are always given assignments and are always very busy with class work. I feel that the approach is different in Germany. Students are expected to be more responsible for their own learning.
How was interning in the industry different?
At university you were part of an international group of people all working together, and everyone spoke English. At Bosch I was working mostly with people at a later stage in their careers, and I was the only one there who didn’t speak German. So it was a bit harder to fit in.
Starting this summer, the DAAD is offering language courses to RISE participants.
Yes, that is in part due to our feedback. As North Americans, many of us aren’t exposed to a lot of languages. Mostly Spanish, but hardly any German. So it was difficult to get by in everyday life. I think it’s great they are considering our experiences and offering these courses.
Would you say the scientific aspect is the main motivation to come to Germany?
No, you could stay in the US on a similar program that is easier to apply for without having to experience the unknown. So when people choose to go on the RISE program, they are also interested in traveling and seeing other countries.
How was your overall experience of Germany?
I had a great life outside of my internships! In 2006, I was in Munich for the beginning of the World Cup and in Berlin for the finals, and the atmosphere in Germany that summer was just great. And everyone was always really helpful to me, although I did not speak the language. I wish I could say that about people in the US.
Do you enjoy being a Young Ambassador for the DAAD?
It’s actually been a lot easier than I thought. A lot of people have an interest in going to Germany. I had to find out about RISE on my own by browsing online for internships abroad. So when I took an active part in promoting the internships, I pretty much reached all engineering students at my school and have received a great response since then.
Is RISE especially attractive to students in your field?
As an engineering student you would otherwise hardly travel abroad because our class work is so intensive, and you don’t want to miss an entire semester and take longer than necessary, especially with tuition being so high. With RISE you get to go during the summer without missing anything and get your expenses paid, too. Employers definitely see it on your resume, so it helps you stand out. There are great networking opportunities, and I’m still in touch with all the people I’ve met on my visits.
Andrea, thank you very much for the interview.
Related Websites
Andrea Siefers’ Young Ambassador profile:
http://www.daad.org/page/109507/
Link tips from the German Education Server
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