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 2025 05/11/25 to 05/24/25

Program Leader

Name Jim Tanoos
Email jtanoos@purdue.edu
Please Note: Programs may be altered or adapted with little notice

Enrollment Details: Enrollment Currently Closed

Program Description

We have reached the maximum threshold of students and the trip is closed for further enrollment.  Please consider this trip in the future.  There are a number of other amazing summer study abroads available so feel free to reach out for more info!

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

- 3 credits/IET 490

- Bavarian and Dutch cuisine and culture at its most authentic

Our travel agent can book itinery for another two weeks so this is the home stretch of the enrollment process.  One student cannot make it due to an internship obligation and as such, if you want to apply, we can get you into brightspace and then you'll need to size up the situation quickly and make a desposit, because everyone else has been enrolled for weeks/months.  The travel agent has already booked itinerary for those that have enrolled.

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Experience, insight, and knowledge of the global supply chain is an essential post-pandemic skillset.

This 3-credit study abroad will explore...

3 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 multinational automobile factory tours (Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, 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. 

Schedule:

Sunday, May 11th- Arrive in Stuttgart, meet in hotel lobby where the trip officially begins, city walking tour, group dinner at Carl's Brauhaus

Monday, May 12th- Stuttgart: Mercedes Benz and Porsche factory tours

Tuesday, May 13th- travel to Munich via train, city walking tour, Glockenspiel/Marienplatz

Wednesday, May 14th- Munich: Royal Palace/Munich Residenz, Dachau concentration camp, Augustiner-Keller Oktoberfest dinner

Thursday, May 15th- Munich: BMW factory tour, Collaboration with Munich University of Applied Science students

Friday, May 16th- Munich: English Garden, Allianz Arena (Home to Munich Bayern), Hofbräuhaus Oktoberfest dinner

Saturday, May 17th- travel to Rotterdam, South Holland food tour, city walking tour

Sunday, May 18th- Rotterdam: Daytrip to Amsterdam

Monday, May 19th- Rotterdam:  Bike tour of the largest port in Europe

Tuesday, May 20th- Rotterdam: Windmills of Kinderdyk/Dutch town of Delft

Wednesday, May 21st- Rotterdam: Daytrip to The Hague

Thursday, May 22nd- Rotterdam: Supply Chain workshop

Friday, May 23rd- Rotterdam: Private Coach to Schipol Amsterdam airport in morning, depart

- 3 credits/IET 490

- Bavarian and Dutch cuisine and culture at its most authentic

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

All students participating in a departmental program will complete a pre and post assessment as part of program completion.

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 $3,100, 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.