German IEP students (and brothers) Keven and Patrick Raczkowski share about their fall semester in Germany while Chinese IEP student Brandon Yeh looks back on his time so far in Taiwan.
Kevin Raczkowski ’25 & Patrick Raczkowski ’25
German IEP & mechanical engineering
Photo credit: Patrick Raczkowski
Kevin: Recently, I had the opportunity to enjoy the Christmas markets of Germany for the first time. The festive atmosphere, adorned with unique decorations, handcrafted souvenirs, and delightful seasonal treats have been a treat to experience. I find my classes and research at the Technical University of Braunschweig valuable and beneficial, as they serve as excellent preparation for my internship with Porsche next semester. Each day, I have the opportunity to improve my German proficiency as I am given many chances to practice the language. After settling in and establishing a routine along with academic structure, time truly seems to be flying by here.
Patrick: As December kicks off, Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas markets) celebrations can be enjoyed in almost every German city! Navigating the streets of major cities in Germany has been a delight, and coupling this with the Christmas markets here brings an unmatched seasonal atmosphere. As I eagerly continue my studies in Germany, I’m excited to enhance my language skills and to face challenges that foster my personal growth. Furthermore, I hope to use the knowledge I’ve obtained to garner success in my upcoming internship at BMW during the spring semester. I look forward to creating more memories during my year abroad that will last forever!
Brandon Yeh ’24
Chinese IEP & electrical engineering
I learned a lot throughout the last semester, not just the language, but Taiwanese culture as a whole. In one of my independent trips (my trip to Jiufen) I learned how to perform the tea ceremony, as well as learning the significance of each component. Through a trip through the school, I also learned how to make Taiwan’s famous Pineapple Cakes (though, sadly, I forgot to write all of the ratios used for each ingredient…).
Through other trips/activities, I attended a violin/piano concert at Taichung’s National Theatre, karaoke in Tainan, and had a LOT of food, among plenty of other things.
IEP has given me the opportunity to really explore and understand different cultures in ways that I never would have without it. It has also helped to build lasting friendships with people from all over the world, regardless of whether they were from my program or not.
In February, I’ll be starting as an engineering intern at KLINGER Die Erste in Taichung, Taiwan.