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

Technology, Innovation and Culture in Germany

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 Frankfurt, Mainz, Darmstadt, Stuttgart, Munich, Reutlingen, Germany
Course # SA 10931
Duration Summer
Upcoming Program Dates
Summer 2025 05/11/25 to 05/25/25

Program Leader

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

Program Description

EXPERIENCE INDUSTRY 4.0 IN GERMANY
MAY 11 - 25, 2025

Technology, Innovation, and Culture in Germany (MFET 49900) is a three-credit course based in Germany in May 2025. This course is a two-week exploration of innovation in industry and technology including visits to partner universities that offer extended study abroad opportunities in fields relating to Industry 4.0 and manufacturing.  

In this experience, you will explore cultural and historical sites, interact with your peers at German universities, and get private tours of some of the world's most innovative and futuristic production facilities.

The program starts at noon on Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Frankfurt, Germany (FRA airport) and travels to a number of cities in Germany, ending in Munich, Germany on Sunday, May 25, 2025.  There is the opportunity to independently visit additional locations throughout the trip.

 

Itinerary

Each offering is unique and the upcoming offering is still being finalized.   One of the longest running study abroad programs at Purdue. 

2025 Program Itinerary (tentative, under development)

Past program itineraries:

2024 Program Itinerary

2023 Program Itinerary

2022 Program Itinerary

 

Potential Activity and Site List

Activity list from prior offerings of this study abroad program include:

BMW Headquarters - Automotive Production Tour
Gutenberg Museum - Printing press development and the Gutenberg Bible
Audi Headquarters- Automotive Production Tour/Wind Tunnel Testing
Evonic Headquarters - Chemical Manufacturing
Bavaria Film Studio - Film and Television Studios
Mercedes-Benz Headquarters - Automotive Production Tour
VW Headquarters - Automotive Production Tour
Stoll Headquarters - Textile Manufacturing
Kuka Headquarters - Robotics Manufacturing
One Click Metal - 3D Metal Printer Manufacturing Tour
Faber-Castell Headquarters - Writing Instrument Production Tour
Ayinger Brewery - Brewing and Bottling Production Tour
Augustiner Brewery - Brewing and Bottling Production Tour
George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies
Neuschwanstein Castle - Tour
Englisher Garten - E-bike tour
Rhine River Cruise - UNESCO World Heritage site (highest density of castles in the world)
Zugspitze (World's Fastest, Steepest, Longest Spanning Cable Car) Engineering and Operations Tour
FC Bayern Munchen (Allianz Arena) - Operations Tour
Nuremberg Stolen Art Caves and WWII Air Raid bunker - Tour
Nuremberg Trials Museum
Deutsches Museum
Munich University of Applied Sciences - Laboratory and Campus Tour
Reutlingen University - Learning Factory Experience and Campus Tour

Application Process

This program is space limited and will be capped at 14 participants.  Please fill out both the general study abroad application (this site) and the additional online application (below) to help us determine if the program is a good match for your interests.

 

1) Please complete the university study abroad application for this program

AND

2) Please click here to open the additional online application

 

Academic Credit

3 credits (MFET 49900).  Please check with your academic advisor to determine how this global experience may count towards your program of study.

Eligibility

This program is open to Purdue undergraduates in any program of study on the West Lafayette campus.  This program requires the completion of an application questionnaire and submission of a video interview for consideration.  This is a selective program as there are typically many more applicants than available spaces.  Unfortunately, the program is space limited to 14 students due to constraints posed by the unique locations and experiences in the program. 

 

 

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.

The 3-credit hour program cost is $3,755.56, including insurance, lodging, foreign ground transportation, activity and event tickets, and most meals.  Participants will be responsible for purchasing and arranging their own airfare to and from Germany, allowing for the flexibility for an extended stay outside of the program dates.

Beverages, some meals, souvenirs, and incidentals are not covered by the program fee. Past participants report spending about $300-$500 on these items while traveling. 

A $500 deposit is required within five business days of being accepted into the program to hold your position.  The remaining program balance ($3,255.56) will be charged to your Summer 2025 Purdue tuition bill.  Additional information appears in the program contract/cancellation policy.

This program may be eligible for scholarships.  More details: Purdue Study Abroad - Purdue University

Application Deadline

This program is currently reviewing applications.  This review process will continue until all program spaces have been filled.  Accepted students must submit a deposit within five business days to secure their spot in the program. 

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.