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Bc. Peter Kubovčík, Brno University of Technology,

ročník 5

Faculty

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Field of study

Design of Product Machines and Equipment

Field of internship

Engineering, Other

Specialization of Internship

Mechanical Engineering

Internship period (from - to)

1.6.2018 - 31.7.2018

Internship duration (weeks)

Transport (means, price)

Flixbus, 40€

Insurance/Insurance company

provided by DAAD - obtained automatically after applying for the internship

Visa/Work permit (yes/no)

Price of Visa

City of Internship

Germany, Stuttgart

Internship reference number

DE-2018-2003-1

About the country

Location of the place

Stuttgart is located in southwest Germany.

City

The city is indeed industrial, companies such as Porsche, Mercedes and Bosch were established there. Nevertheless, it has some places worth visiting - especially Mercedes museum and Ludwigsburg Palace. Besides that, plenty of parks are scattered around the city with nice chill spots with views over the city. Stuttgart is not usually crowded with tourists except Mercedes and Porsche museums or main square (Königstraße).

Surroundings (possible trips, ...)

Schwarzwald is definitely worth visiting for hiking. During summer, plenty of reception weekends are organised by IAESTE throughout Germany as well as in other countries, which is a great opportunity to visit other cities, Munich for instance. Possibility to rent a car and go for a trip with Iaeste members and other interns. Moreover, IAESTE Stuttgart gives refunds - 50% of price for entrance fees one pays (e.g. to museums, ...) as well as for trips organised by Iaeste (for transport,...) so keep receipts.

Employer

The employer was University of Stuttgart - Institute of Energy Economics and Rational Energy Use, department of Energy Efficiency. Located in Vaihingen, it's on the outskirts of the city. In that area, campus and dorms are located as well.
Since it's a university institute, I supported the work on projects of other PhD students. Apart from myself, there was another intern from Norway working there within the same period as me.
No canteen is in a close neighbourhood of the Institute, so I either prepared my own meal at home or bought a ready-made meal at a supermarket.

Work description

Examples of tasks performed during the stay:
Analysis of the German energy intensive industries and investigation of possible transformation pathways.
Data search on innovative combined heat and power (CHP) plants.
Calculations of emission factors for electricity generation with high time resolution with MATLAB.

Salary (sufficient for local conditions?)

The salary was 750€, which is a half of the minimum salary in Germany. Accomodation was 315€. As long as groceries are more or less the same price as in CZ I managed to get by. Monthly transport student ticket 64€.

Language requirements

Good English or German was required by the employer. Even though English is indeed enough, it would be convenient to have at least an elementary level of German.

Accommodation (price, who provided it)

Since it's kind of tough for Iaeste guys to ensure room at a dorm for everyone, one may end up living in a shared flat as I did. Once, in the middle of my stay, I even had to move. All of my flatmates were super cool, though. Iaeste guys took care of everything and I did not have to cope with anything except of moving my stuff to the other place.

Social life

Meeting IAESTE members (pick-up at the airport, organized events...)

I got off from Flixbus at the Stuttgart airport, where a Iaeste guy picked me up. All of the Iaeste members were super friendly and helpful. Regularly, every week on tuesdays, were gatherings of members and interns at the Iaeste office. They even organised a barbecue and a couple of dinner evenings if someone was willing to cook. Summer reception weekends are also organised by Iaeste - worth visiting is Munich weekend.

Meeting other foreign students

A lot of other guys from all over the world - Norway, Ghana, Serbia, Brazil, Canada, Lebanon,... We met regularly during events.

Sport and culture

Plenty of museums and galleries are around the city. I assume it's possible to sign up for sports at the uni (you must pay a registration fee).
Stuttgart has also famous football club VfB Stuttgart and a beautiful stadium, which is sold out almost every game - definitely worth visiting.

Food, local specialties

Maultaschen, Spätzle, Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cake), Schwarzwälder Schinken, Kartoffelsalat, Bratwurst, beer :-)

Other information

Possibilites to communicate with the Czech Republic

Via mobile data or wi-fi.

Recommendations for students who will go to the same place

If you want to find out what it is like to live and work in Germany, do not hesitate and apply for an internship either in Stuttgart or another city.

What not to forget with you

Sleeping bag would be useful. Iaeste could even borrow a bed linen so that is not necessary to bring own one.

Benefits of the internship

A lot of new friends from all around the world, priceless working experience abroad, plenty of nice memories, experience German culture, improved English and German language.