Stay abroad in Troy, Michigan, USA

Field report from Andreas R.

From 11 July 2011 to 2 September 2011, I completed my internship abroad at Heller Machine Tools in Troy, Michigan. I was given the opportunity to go abroad as part of the dual study programme.

There were a few organisational things to sort out beforehand, such as entry, accommodation, work assignment, etc.. I was very well supported by ELHA. The transfer from Detroit airport to the accommodation went smoothly thanks to the pick-up service. I was accommodated in a flat with a bedroom, bathroom and living/dining area with a kitchenette.

On my first day at work, I was given a very friendly welcome and a tour of the company, as well as being introduced to my contacts and a few other colleagues. The good working atmosphere and friendly colleagues made me feel at home very quickly. My workplace was in the assembly department, where the machine tools are assembled and commissioned. I was deployed in a wide variety of areas and was able to contribute actively. For example, I spent some time with an employee who measured the geometry of the machines or worked together with another employee who was responsible for aligning the substructures. This active involvement gave me a very good insight into the working world of the Americans.

During my stay, 3 students from Heller in Troy also completed their stay abroad. We were able to do a lot together in our free time, partly because we were provided with a car. This included going to a baseball game, a trip to Lake Huron and a trip to Chicago on a long weekend. In addition to the less glamorous city of Detroit, this metropolis has a lot to offer, such as the tallest building in the USA, the Willis Tower, or the beautiful beaches on Lake Michigan. Even after work, (especially the younger) employees offered to do something with us to get to know the area and the American lifestyle. We went to a car show together, went to the cinema or went out to eat in one of the many sports bars. We also organised a billiards evening with our colleagues from the assembly department, where we were able to get to know everyone much better. All in all, it was a great experience for me to work in the USA for a while, to get to know the culture and of course to improve my language skills. The internship, the experiences outside of work and the very nice colleagues made my stay abroad an unforgettable experience.