English-language Master's degree in Automation & Control: From the Mexican highlands to Kaiserslautern

There are many good reasons to study the English-language Master's program in Automation & Control at RPTU Kaiserslautern: it is research-oriented, offers a wide range of career prospects after graduation, and is based at a campus university located close to a forest, to name just a few. But how does a mechatronics engineer from the Mexican highland state of Querétaro find this program and decide to leave his job and family behind to study at RPTU Kaiserslautern?

“In Mexico, Germany has a reputation for excellence in all engineering sciences,” says Iram Diaz, who worked at CENAM-México, the Centro Nacional de Metrologia, before deciding to pursue a master's degree. He knew that he wanted to study in Germany more than anywhere else.

English Welcome

There was only one problem, from his point of view: “My German language skills are not particularly strong,” he says cautiously. His big concern was that he would go to a foreign country and end up isolated – both in his private life and in his studies – because he did not speak the language and would therefore be unable to communicate with others. While searching for a suitable master's program, he stumbled across a student profile written in English on the RPTU website. “After I read that the lectures are held in English and the entire program is very research-oriented, I made my decision.” So, a good two years ago, he packed his bags and moved from the Mexican highlands to what he describes as the much greener Kaiserslautern. 

The laboratory as a second home

He has never regretted his choice. “Here at RPTU, we students spend an incredible amount of time in the laboratories.” This intensive practical focus is special in itself. "But at RPTU, I feel that they go one step further. The laboratory doors are always open. Anyone who comes by is welcome to take a look over our shoulders, and because there is always something to do in the individual projects, you can also lend a hand if it suits you."

What he enjoys most is the trust placed in the students. “We are given a task and allowed to try our hand at it. Support is always available if needed, but we are strongly encouraged to find a solution ourselves.” 

Soft robotics research as a student assistant job

This is exactly how he experiences his student assistant job in the field of Computational Physics in Engineering (CPE) at RPTU: In his research project, graduate engineer Leon Schindler is working on further developing soft and flexible robots, known as soft robots. These robots are suitable for use in sensitive areas or environments that are difficult to access. Since the differences between soft robots vary enormously depending on the area of application, the designs are currently often trial-based. This means a lot of time in the laboratory. And this is exactly where Iram provides support as part of his student assistant job: he conducts his own experiments on snake-shaped soft robots. “I really like the fact that we student assistants have such freedom to find a result and are allowed to work very independently,” says Iram. 

Discovering Europe

However, he does find one small drawback to studying in Germany. “There aren't really any proper vacations. That's because we have assignments to complete during the semester breaks.” This makes it somewhat difficult for him to find the time to discover European countries and cultures. “My solution is to extend my standard period of study a little so that I have enough time to discover Europe.” So before he returns to one of the laboratories at RPTU in the fall, he and his brother will spend four weeks traveling across Europe.