Polymer and Fiber Engineering Student Exchange Program
In a competitive global marketplace of today's professional life, it is so important to gain international experience while in college. What could be better than learning about another country and its culture and having fun?
Students in the Department of Polymer and Fiber Engineering have the opportunity to study one semester in Germany and travel all over Europe. The academic exchange program, originally established in 2003 with the University of Applied Sciences in Reutlingen, is now offered also with the Technical University of Dresden. Either in spring or fall semester, students from each university may spend up to six months at the partner campus. The goals of the interchange program are to increase international awareness and cultural understanding of students and, of course, travel and have lots of fun.
Reutlingen is located at the foothills of the Swabian Alb in Southern Germany, close to the Black Forest, the French Alsace, Lake Constance, Switzerland, and Austria. The lively town offers old and new architecture, museums, shopping, farmers markets, outdoor cafes and restaurants. Recreational opportunities in the beautiful surroundings include hiking and biking, visiting castles and old middle-aged towns. Both Tuebingen with its famous university dating back to 1477, and Stuttgart, the capital of the state Baden-Wuerttemberg, are short train-rides away.
Dresden, located in Saxony, is often called the "Florence of the North" with the beautiful river Elbe, the palaces, the old town center and the delicate towers of cathedrals and churches. The city offers many opportunities for cultural immersion, concerts, art exhibitions, festivals and the like. Southeast of the city one of Germany's national parks, Saxony Switzerland, awaits exploration with hiking, biking and climbing and lots of green space.
Exchange students take courses and conduct research or design projects in science, math, engineering, polymers, fibers, global marketing or related subjects (e.g., computer science, materials science, automation technology or business) at the host university. Some courses at Reutlingen and Dresden are taught in English due to many international students at European universities. Research opportunities also exist at graduate student level.
Students in the Department of Polymer and Fiber Engineering may apply after freshman year. One semester of German or an intensive language course is recommended. Students travel independently (no group exchange program). Students must register with Auburn Abroad to receive international insurance, financial aid, scholarships, and PACT plan funds for the semester abroad. Excluding travel, the cost is approximately the same as a semester in Auburn (in-state.) Students should apply six months before departure.
Students may plan to arrive at the partner campus in January/February or August.
Reutlingen Study Abroad Brochure: Low res / High res 
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