If you have questions about this program, email the program leader listed below.

The Commerce of Cars in Central Europe: From Creation to Cargo

Program Details

The arrangements for the travel, housing, meals, excursions and course content of this program have been made by the leader. Questions about this program can only be answered by the program leader listed below.
Program Type Departmental
Program Location Germany and The Netherlands, Multiple Countries (Germany, Netherlands)
Course # SA 10931
Duration Summer
Upcoming Program Dates
Summer 2026 05/10/26 to 05/23/26

Program Leader

Name Jim Tanoos
Email jtanoos@purdue.edu
Click here to enroll in this program!
Please Note: Programs may be altered or adapted with little notice

Program Description

The Commerce of Cars in Central Europe: From Creation to Cargo

- 3 credits/IET 490

- Enjoy Bavarian and Dutch cuisine and culture at its most authentic

- Gain experiences, insight, and knowledge related to the post-pandemic, AI-driven global supply chain

Day

City

Official Course Activities

1

Stuttgart

Travel Day

2

Stuttgart

Afternoon meetup in hotel lobby: Walking tour of the city/Group dinner at Carl’s Brauhaus

3

S

Mercedes-Benz Factory (Factory 56), Porsche Factory

4

S/Munich

Private Coach on Autobahn to Munich, Walking tour of Munich (English Garden, MarienPlatz/Glockenspiel), Group dinner at Hofbräuhaus

5

M

Munich Bayern/Allianz Arena, Munich Residenz/Royal Palace

6

M

BMW Welt/Olympic Village, Munich University of Applied Sciences workshop w/ German students

7

M

Dachau Concentration Camp, Tour of Audi Factory

8

M/Rotterdam

Train from M to R, South Holland food tour/walking tour of city

9

R

Morning- Laundry

Daytrip to Amsterdam, Supply Chain scavenger hunt led by Purdue alumnus

10

R

Bike tour of the largest European Port (Port of Rotterdam), Daytrip to the Hague/ Mauritshuis museum

11

R

Town of Delft, Ancient Windmills of Kinderdyk

12

R

Boat tour of the port, final group dinner on Witte de Withstraat

13

R

Private Coach from R to Amsterdam (Schipol Airport), arrive 7am

14

R

Travel

 *Erasmus University students joining on several tours tbd

This 3-credit study abroad will constitute..

2 days in Stuttgart, Germany

5 days in Munich, Germany

5 days in Rotterdam, Netherlands

Go to jimmtanoos.com for full trip reports from past study abroads, and you can also go to "students' blog" for daily student reflections over the years of study abroads in these German and Dutch cities since 2017.

Trip Synopsis:

This two-week, 3-credit Maymester study abroad follows the multinational automobile supply chain from the assembly of components (Stuttgart and Munich, Germany) to the final export and shipping process (Rotterdam, Netherlands).  Applied learning topics associated with Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing of multinational automobiles will be experienced, including a collaborative session with undergraduate peers at Munich University of Applied Sciences and three of the following four multinational automobile factory tours (Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW, and Audi) to study production techniques and how Industry 4.0 is impacting the manufacture of these vehicles.  Students will also take a bicyle tour of the largest port in Europe to see firsthand how the vehicles are shipped across the globe.  Cultural activities are an essential part of the curriculum, and students will learn how to utilize and get around via various modes of public transportation.

Rotterdam, Netherlands and Munich, Germany have rich histories of industrial competitiveness in the international marketplace, and their economies are thriving in large part due to the impact of their international automobile supply chains.  The program costs includes all activities from when the trip starts in the lobby of our Stuttgart hotel to our private coach to the Schipol airport. 

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Contact Dr. James Tanoos (jtanoos@purdue.edu, or 317-989-7726) for more information.

Academic Credit

This Study Abroad is 3 credit hours via IET 490 and serves an an upper-level elective in your plan of study, serving as your globalization elective.  

Exploring firsthand the multinational automobile industry in Europe from creation to cargo is a waaaay better option for learning about the world compared to sitting in class and hearing a lecture about globalization!

Eligibility

Students must be in good academic standing and have a minimum GPA of 3.25

Program Cost

Students pursuing program participation accept financial responsibility. Purdue will take measures to mitigate financial risks, although will not be liable for loss.

This is a Maymester class and will hit your bursar's account at the time of your other classes before the start of the summer semester in early May.  If you register for aditional summer course, the 6 credits will allow you to be eligible for full-time student status over the summer session.

The program fee will be approximately $3,300, which includes trains, hotels, tours/excursions, city public transportation passes, and any other transportation, plus the typical $350 study abroad fee.  Basically, this covers everything on the trip except for lunches and most dinners.  The trip starts at the hotel lobby in Stuttgart (you can arrive early if you want) and ends at the Amsterdam airport (or you can stay late if you want), and the trip will cover all costs in-between.  Flights are paid separately by the student with the itinerary determined by the student, but the costs of the flight are added to student loans, etc.  Please check with the Division of Financial Aid to determine how financial aid can apply to your program expenses.  This is a military-friendly trip so inquire about how the GI bill applies to this trip.

Application Deadline

Applications will be judged on a variety of factors but you must enroll before the roster cap is set in order to be eligible.

Call/text or email me (Jim) with any questions and to ask for the summary trip powerpoint:  317-989-7726 and/or jtanoos@purdue.edu

Financial Aid

Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should

NOTE:  Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad.  Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.

Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.