Interviews

Interviews with students

1. Why did you choose FAU specifically, and what did you expect?
   FAU has a long tradition in physics and engineering, producing people like Georg Simon Ohm (of the famous Ohm’s law), and I felt privileged when offered a chance to study here. Coming from Electronics and Communication, I was looking for a mix of mechanical, AI and electronics, driven by my interest in autonomous driving. ACES delivered exactly that. As a research university, I expected FAU to be a place where innovation is the norm.
2. How have your courses matched — or surprised — your expectations?
   The teaching is application-oriented, which is a little different from what I am used to but in a good way. The professors genuinely know their field, and that comes through in how they teach.
3. What was the most challenging part of settling in, and what helped?
   The initial months were hard, the new culture, language, and everything being unfamiliar at once. What helped was people, fellow students going through the same thing, the church community, and events at the university. And Erlangen stopped feeling foreign and started feeling like home.
4. Which opportunities at FAU have made the biggest difference?
   The research project and internship built into the program. They give real exposure to where the technology is actually going. That practical grounding has broadened what feels possible for my career here.
5. How do you see your time at FAU influencing your future plans?
   My project thesis sits at the intersection of AI and sustainability data, and working on it has sharpened what kind of engineer I want to be. FAU has given both the technical grounding and the contacts to make that realistic.
6. Would you recommend ACES to other international students?
   Yes. If you have an engineering background and an interest in this field, I’d say; go for it.
7. What else do you want to tell prospective students?
   The adjustment is real, and it’s normal to struggle with it at first but it passes faster than you think.

Interviews with graduates

1. Why did you choose FAU specifically, and what did you expect your experience to be like there?
   The fact that FAU is located in Bavaria’s diverse industrial and academic landscape was one of the main reasons I decided to study here. I expected a steep learning curve, along with numerous opportunities to gain practical knowledge and engage with the industries in the region.
2. What was the most challenging part of settling in at FAU (language, paperwork, finding housing, course registration, etc.), and what helped you handle it?
   The initial days of adapting to a new culture, both academically and in everyday life, were challenging, especially during the first semester. However, the orientation programmes and regular seminars on adapting to the local culture, basic German etiquette, and everyday life helped me a lot as a newcomer.
3. What opportunities at FAU have made the biggest difference for you (student groups, research projects, career services, internships, exchange options)?
   While at FAU I had the opportunity to involve myself in numerous student groups which helped me navigate the some difficulties during the studies. These student groups organized regular industry visits, Hiking and casual meet-up sessions which made the environment more relaxed and helped in positive networking.
4. After graduating at FAU, you achieved a job as scientific assistant and PhD candidate at the institute of ressource and energy efficient production machines at FAU. How did you get this job, what are your research topics and how do you like your work?
   During my studies, I had the opportunity to take up a full time internship with Schaeffler which continued as a master thesis position in co-ordination with the REP research group at FAU. Having focussed on manufacturing digitalization and sustainability throughout my ACES studies, I developed keen interest to continue my research in this domain after my master studies. At this point, I got the opportunity to continue in this research direction with the production systems working group at FAU’s REP chair. My research focuses on the Digitalization of production and shop floor, and the development of tools for sustainability management. I really enjoy working on these topics along with academic teaching and mentoring.
5. Are their other international scientific assistants at your or other institutes and do you work together with them? Is there a kind of “international community”?
   There are colleagues at the chair from multiple nationalities which gives me a varied exposure in terms of their research methodologies and culture.
6. Would you recommend your master study program ACES to other international students?
   For anyone considering pursuing their master’s studies in ACES, I would say that the program offers a great deal of flexibility. You have the freedom to choose your subjects and modules according to your interests, allowing you to shape your studies in the direction you want to take your career—whether that is in industry or academia.
7. What else do you want to tell prospective students?
   For prospective students at FAU, I would like to say that there are endless opportunities if you are open to exploring them. Studying at FAU gives you a truly diverse and multicultural experience, thanks to its strong international community as well as the wide range of industries and career opportunities available in the Erlangen–Nürnberg metropolitan region. It is a great environment to learn, grow, build connections, and discover new possibilities for your future.