Guten Tag! My name is Annabella Peretti, and I am a rising senior in the Frederick Honors College and Swanson School of Engineering. I am majoring in Mechanical Engineering on the Joint Honors Degree track, with a minor in Electrical Engineering and certificates in Engineering Simulation in Design as well as Innovation, Product Design, and Entrepreneurship (IPDE). In a few short hours, I will be embarking on my first trip out of the country to Munich, where I will be attending the Business, Technology, and Engineering the German Way program!
Munich lies in the heart of Bavaria and is one of the largest cities in Germany. Munich is known as an “innovation hub,” being home to many different companies, such as BMW and Siemens. As a mechanical engineering student, I have had the opportunity to delve into the manufacturing and design principles that work behind the scenes at these companies; therefore, I am extremely thrilled to tour different places and witness German engineering up close. I have always been fascinated by the intricate design of cars, so I am most excited to tour BMW and learn more about the automotive industry in Germany!
Although I will be on foreign soil, the topic of innovation is not foreign to me. I have enriched my studies tremendously with innovation and entrepreneurship classes, while earning two certificates through the Big Idea Center (ChangeMaker Series Body of Knowledge and PDMA Body of Knowledge), as well as being a Teaching Assistant for “Art of Making”, which is a FHC elective on human-centered design thinking principles. With this strong concentration in innovation and entrepreneurship, I plan to pursue patent law, where I will be applying my technical engineering background at the interface of cutting-edge technology and law. This program offers me an amazing opportunity to further explore business and entrepreneurship, specifically in a global context, in a city that fosters innovation — that is how I knew this program was perfect for me!
While in-country, my peers and I will be partnering with German students at Munich University of Applied Sciences on an intensive 2-week schedule, where we collectively learn about German business practices and culture through coursework, interactive projects, and company tours. This program will help me professionally and personally develop as I immerse myself in Bavarian culture, forge meaningful connections, and expand my eclectic view of the world as a whole.
I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to the University of Pittsburgh, specifically the Swanson School of Engineering’s Global Experiences Office and the Frederick Honors College for coordinating this program with HM Munich, and financially supporting my endeavors. I would also like to thank God, my family, and friends, for blessing me with this opportunity and constantly supporting me in my endeavors.
To Germany we go! Tschüss!