In partnership with the Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW) – Lörrach, the School of Engineering offers an opportunity for students to complete their third co-op experience during the fall term in Germany. DHBW offers hundreds of industry partners in a variety of industries. In addition to the co-op experience, students will also be required to take an approved engineering or business course.

DHBW Lörrach is located in the tri-national border region, with Switzerland and France just moments away. You are certain to have a multi-cultural experience!

Dates

Fall Semester during 3rd Co-op Rotation.

Application Deadline

Students must apply to study abroad in OASIS by February 1 in order to participate in the exchange the following fall.

Language

Most industry partners have English-speaking staff. While helpful, German language ability is not required.

Eligibility

• Open to students accepted into the School of Engineering
• Secondary admission required
• Students must have a minimum 2.70 GPA
• Students participating in this program must register for 6 credits of IS 380 (3 credits of co-op plus 3 credits of an approved engineering or business course)

Co-Op Experience

DHBW identifies co-op opportunities based on student interests and employer availability. A list of DHBW industry partners is available online at https://dhbw-loerrach.de/en/listofcooperativepartners. To navigate the list, pick your field of study (choices are mechanical, electrical, mechatronic engineering, and computer science), then choose the link for "Duale partner."

Students are required to apply and interview with the co-op company. Typically, companies require a CV and cover letter and will schedule a phone or virtual interview with the candidate.

Student Responsibilities

The following arrangements must be worked out between the STUDENT and the EMPLOYER:

• Assignment Duration (including start and end dates)
• Project Duties
• Hours Worked (per week)
• Pay Schedule and Date of First Paycheck (German companies often pay only once per month)

Notice Regarding Wages

German companies pay approximately 700 Euros per month for internships, which are approximately 36 hours per week. Pay is typically non-negotiable. 

Housing

DHBW collaborates with private landlords who rent shared flats to students. DHBW will make the connection between the student and the landlord. Students are welcome to search for housing on their own if they prefer.

Local Things To Do

An exchange offers an unforgettable opportunity to experience German culture, tradition, work, and travel. Lörrach is not only on the border to Switzerland and France it is also a convenient location to get to all kinds of summer and winter sports and activities in other countries in Europe. Please find below links to Lörrach and its neighbors Basel, Freiburg, and Alsace as well as testimonials from DHBW exchange students about their experience.

https://www.loerrach.de/en/Welcome-to-Loerrach/Tourism 

https://dhbw-loerrach.de/en/international-visitors

https://www.myswitzerland.com/en/destinations/basel/

https://visit.freiburg.de/en

https://www.visit.alsace/en/

Course Requirement

GVSU students are required to take at least 3 credits of coursework at DHBW in addition to their co-op assignment.

Global Perspectives and Issues Credit

All students completing at least 3 credits abroad will automatically fulfill the Global Perspectives requirement. No additional paperwork is required.

A student completing an international co-op may fulfill up to 3 credits of the general education Issues requirement IF they SUBMIT A WRITTEN REFLECTION PAPER with the corresponding form to the General Education Office WITHIN 60 days after the end of the study abroad program, AND the student takes ONE 3-credit Issues course at GVSU from a DIFFERENT DISCIPLINE (not engineering). The issues course cannot be counted for both Issues and Foundation credit.

For more information on fulfilling Global Perspectives and Issues Requirements, visit the Padnos International Center General Education web page.

Approved Academic Courses

DHBW — Numerical Simulation Techniques: Approved by Dr. Wendy Reffeor

• Equivalent to EGR 329 Introduction to FEA
• Allows student to also satisfy World Perspectives requirement (3.0 credits), as well as up to 6.0 Issues credits if the required written reflection paper and corresponding form are submitted to the General Education Office within 60 days after the end of the study abroad program.
• Prerequisite: EGR 309 Machine Design I

DHBW – Introduction to Economics: Approved by Dr. Aaron Lowen and Dr. C. “Griff” Griffen                 

• Equivalent to ECO 210 Intro to Macroeconomics             
• As approved by Dr. Wael Mokhtar, also satisfies the School of Engineering requirement for ECO 210/211
• Meets Social and Behavioral Sciences Foundations requirement (note: courses cannot count for both Issues and Foundation credit)
• Allows student to also satisfy World Perspectives requirement (3.0 credits), as well as 3.0 Issues credits if the required written reflection paper and corresponding form are submitted to the General Education Office within 60 days after the end of the study abroad program.

DHBW – Macroeconomics: Approved by Dr. Aaron Lowen and Dr. C. “Griff” Griffen 

• Equivalent to ECO 280 General Economics
• As approved by Dr. Wael Mokhtar, also satisfies the School of Engineering requirement for ECO 210/211
• Meets Social and Behavioral Sciences Foundations requirement (note: courses cannot count for both Issues and Foundation credit)
• Allows student to also satisfy World Perspectives requirement (3.0 credits), as well as 3.0 Issues credits if the required written reflection paper and corresponding form are submitted to the General Education Office within 60 days after the end of the study abroad program.