Written by Jennifer Marangos | July 16, 2024 | SHARE
Anna Marie Patti, ‘26
Mechanical Engineering
Ruhr Fellowship - Essen, Germany
The Ruhr Fellowship is an eight-week program that begins with two weeks of cultural immersion, including German lessons, workshops, and sightseeing in the Ruhr region of Germany, followed by a six-week internship. Patti applied for this highly competitive opportunity with the support of Lehigh’s Office of Fellowship Advising. We caught up with Patti at the start of her internship at TU Dortmund's IUL (Institute of Forming Technology and Lightweight Components), where she is working on ABAQUS simulations for metal forming and gaining hands-on experience with manufacturing equipment.
What has been the most exciting part of your experience so far?
I have enjoyed meeting students from all over the United States and learning more about German culture, especially in the workplace. The Ruhr Fellowship pairs you with a German student who will attend a similar program in the U.S., and they have been super informative about Germany and helpful with things as simple as buying medicine or groceries. Germany is such a large country, each region has its own rich culture and history; it has been really interesting to learn about all the similarities and differences.
Tell us about some of the sites you’ve visited.
I have visited various sites in the Ruhr Region, including the Folkwang Art Museum, a tour of the city of Dortmund, and the Gasometer exhibit in Oberhausen. I also did a day trip to Cologne since it is only an hour away. Cologne has been my favorite so far, as it has such a unique history and the people there have a very fun, laid-back energy (quite different from the rest of the country).
Outside of Germany, last weekend I visited Amsterdam, which is also quite close by high-speed train. Since my job is only 9-5 during the week, I am trying to travel every weekend – next up are Paris, Berlin, and Munich!
Have you tried any of the local cuisine? What’s been your favorite?
German food may not be everyone's cup of tea, given that it mostly consists of potatoes and various "wursts," but after trying currywurst (which is popular in the Ruhr region), I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it! My ultimate favorite has been the bread: Germans take a lot of pride in their bread, and using sliced white bread could be considered a crime. They eat it with practically every meal, and I would say to try whatever you can get your hands on!
What’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew before you started?
Germany and the surrounding regions are a bit farther north than Pennsylvania, and this summer especially it has not gotten hotter than 70 degrees! While this is a bit unusual, their summers are generally a bit cooler than ours, especially in June. Even if the weather was warmer, people here rarely wear shorts, so I wish I had packed more pants and warmer clothes.