My internship at BorgWarner was my first work experience in industry. I gained a lot of knowledge related to my major. I also had a chance to see what everyday life of an engineer looks like. … I had a very interesting project, met many interesting people, traveled a lot and learned quite a bit of German. … I had an excellent experience in Germany! M. S., 2005
I have never grown so much in such a short period of time. Working full-time in a foreign country presents a lot of difficult challenges...I was extremely fortunate to be able to go and have this internship. It is an experience I will never forget and remain proud for pushing myself. S. H., 2004, German-American Cultural Center
"It was the best cultural immersion experience I have had thus far. Although I had lived in Germany and studied there for eight months before, I certainly feel like I understand the culture and the Germans much better than previously and I had increased my German proficiency. I feel that this experience will set me apart from other candidates in any field which I decide to work in." E. F., 2004, Ostsächsische Sparkasse (bank)
The big thing I realized was that there is an extremely large difference between working and studying in Germany. My German was no longer an extra skill I had, it was something that I simply needed to use on a regular basis or I would fail. I gained a tremendous amount out of this internship. I learned that I did not want to work in HR for my life. But that wasn't the most important thing for me. I learned so much about myself and what I wanted and needed to be successful in my life. It takes a certain type of person to live and work independently in a different country, but if you are that type of person, there is nothing, I mean nothing, that can make you grow as much in such a short period of time. J. T., 2004, KMC Consulting
"This experience had a significant positive impact on my future career … My internship provided me with much more clinical experience than I could have possibly obtained in the U.S." A. D., 2004, Hospital
The internship helped me focus my ideas about my own career and gave me a valuable launching pad.
My greatest experience was sitting in a German beer-garden with other twenty-somethings who are all up and coming leaders in the EU (from Syria, France, Egypt, Sweden, the Netherlands, Britain, Pakistan, etc.) and talking about how we party on Friday nights in our respective countries. It was great to see so many amazing people and find a commonality between us that we could all laugh about. A. C., 2005
The best experiences were getting to know my roommates and some work colleagues as well as I did, because I think it gave me a better understanding of other cultures and also the understanding that, no matter where you go, people really are basically the same. Also, I’m really glad that I saw how Wieland Werke operates on the production floor, because I relate what I saw to what I’m learning in all of my manufacturing classes, even able to bring it up in class discussions as an example. … I would recommend this program to a friend, because it is a great experience, and CDS was a big help. I would have been too intimidated to try getting a job abroad alone, and I know other people who feel the same way. L. M., 2005
Going abroad is so much fun and helps to understand the rest of the world as well as to help you see the U.S. from the perspectives of others.
Having exposure to the Deutsche Welthungerhilfe has significantly raised may awareness of the international world, with respect to the desperate situations of people in a number of countries and also the role of the international community in responding to their needs. By gaining an understanding of how this organization functions, I will be more prepared for my future career ambition to work in the humanitarian aid branch of an international organization such as the World Bank or perhaps the European Union. S. T., 2005
I learn a lot from books, but learning what engineers do in real life was more valuable than any book. I was able to work in several departments and see a variety of engineering applications, and choose which ones I liked best. … This summer was a great opportunity for me personally, professionally, and in terms of friendships. I will also stand out now in job and internship applications. P. R., 2005
