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They had been preparing since March, and on 9 September, 14 students from Mittweida University of Applied Sciences (HSMW) finally set off across the Atlantic to our partner university, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in the state of New York in the USA. For two weeks, together with Professor Frank Weidermann and Susan Born from the Faculty Engineering Sciences at HSMW, as well as students from RIT and their professor Martin Anselm, they took part in the āField Schoolā focusing on mobility.
The Mittweida students, who came from various faculties, focused on content-related preparations for the trip: they contributed to the Field School with papers and presentations on the topic of mobility from a German and European perspective. In return, they gained an insight into how their fellow students from the USA viewed the subject. This exchange yielded many new insights. Automotive engineering and the new challenges facing sustainable mobility are traditionally important and dynamic topics in both countries.
An educational and experiential programme for students from a wide range of disciplines
Specific topics covered in the seminar and laboratory sessions included fluid mechanics and the production of printed circuit boards, traditional 3D Printing, as well as 3D Printing for Biotechnology applications. The students also gained insights into the fields of cybersecurity and game design ā areas in which both RIT and HSMW conduct research and teach.
Traditionally, the Field School programme includes not only teaching and laboratory sessions at the university, but also factory tours, sightseeing and leisure activities: the students visited the factories of General Motors, Alstom Transportation and Century Mold. Niagara Falls and Letchworth State Park were day trips from Rochester. The highlight, however, was the three-day stay in New York City.
Tara Zesch is in her fifth semester studying Biotechnology at the HSMW and is delighted with the Field School: āMy time at RIT was a brilliant experience. Living on campus led to lively exchanges with the open-minded and friendly American students, and we were able to gain a good insight into life at a US university. As a budding biotechnologist, I found the lab tour particularly impressive, where biological scaffolds ā that is, frameworks ā for cell structures and small parts of organs were printed using 3D Printing. But even the company visits, which were somewhat outside my field of study, were very interesting. Another wonderful experience was visiting Niagara Falls in glorious weather. My time at RIT was very varied and educational, on a cultural, intellectual and personal level. The Field School is a great opportunity to get a taste of the international academic atmosphere whilst getting to know a different culture.ā
A regular feature on both sides of the Atlantic
The third Field School at RIT is already firmly scheduled for September 2027. Anyone who is enrolled at HSMW at the time of the trip and who has not yet taken part in a Field School at RIT is eligible to participate. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis upon registration with Professor Weidermann. Thanks to the arrangements made by Professor Martin Anselm, there are no tuition fees to pay at RIT for the Field School. The HSMW covers travel and accommodation costs. Participants are required to contribute approximately 1,200 euros towards the costs.
This second joint International Field School organised by RIT and Mittweida University of Applied Sciences in the USA, following the one in 2023, was preceded by four such events held in Saxony in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2024. In 2020, the event took place virtually.
In spring 2026, Professor Anselm will be coming to Mittweida for two sessions of the Field School with a total of 32 students. There are 61 students on RITās waiting list for HSMW.
RIT is a private university with around 20,000 students and over 1,000 teaching staff across eleven faculties and institutes.
The high tuition fees of approximately 60,000 US dollars per year make longer stays difficult for students from Mittweida. However, a PhD at RIT is a very attractive option. In this case, the costs are covered by the American project sponsor. There are programmes available for almost all HSMW graduates. Professor Frank Weidermann will be happy to provide further information.
