International exchange and new experience in the Blended Intensive Programmes of ChallengeEU.
This spring, Teodor, a student from the FHNW School of Business, participated in a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) at our ChallengeEU partner university in Offenburg, Germany. The programme focused on collaborative robotics and automation, bringing together students from different universities and academic backgrounds for an intensive international learning experience. Through practical workshops with industrial robots, company visits, and intercultural exchange, participants gained valuable technical insights while building connections with fellow students from across Europe.
What expectations did you have before your trip to Offenburg?
I expected to gain hands-on experience with robots and to explore the city of Offenburg.
What was your first impression of the city and the university?
My first impression of both the city and the university was very positive. I was surprised by how small and walkable the city was, which made it easy to get around.
What was your most memorable moment during the week?
There were many memorable moments during the week, but two stood out the most: seeing the humanoid robots in action and visiting Hansgrohe’s automated production line. The Hansgrohe visit was especially memorable because it gave us a real example of how automation is used in an actual industrial production environment.
What did you enjoy most about the experience?
I really enjoyed meeting new people, especially students from different universities and countries. Working directly with the robots was also a highlight for me. In addition, the programme included many enjoyable activities outside the lab, such as visiting a brewery and touring Hansgrohe’s automated factory.
Was there anything that surprised you?
I was surprised by how easy and intuitive the robot controls were to use.
What did you enjoy most about working in an international environment?
I enjoyed being able to exchange ideas with people from different backgrounds and fields of study. Working in an international environment gave me new perspectives and made the collaboration more interesting.
Did you face any challenges? How did you deal with them?
There were a few technical challenges while working with the robots, but with the support of the instructors, we were able to solve most of the issues successfully.
What will you take away from this experience, personally or academically?
The practical, hands-on experience with the robots was extremely valuable. Academically, I gained a much better understanding of the fundamentals of collaborative robots and how they operate in practice.
Would you recommend this programme to other students? Why?
Yes, I would definitely recommend this programme to students who are interested in gaining hands-on experience with industrial robotics and automation. The programme is intensive, but besides the technical work, there are also many enjoyable social and cultural activities that make the experience both educational and memorable.


