Question: How did you experience the atmosphere in Prof. Treffinger´s team?
Answer: This opportunity provided me more than knowledge. I was surrounded by hard-working, creative and active people. I did this project with Mr. Florian and for me, he's a very active person. I have gained good experiences more than I expected. This working team provided me approaching cross-cultural interactions in a work place towards multicultural awareness. I'm glad that once in my life this thing happened to me.
Q: Did you like your tasks? Were they interesting?
A: The topic of my project was "Simulation of leakage from electric arc furnace". I like it, I could learn many new things from it. This project will never be studied in Thailand. I have no doubt, How can Germany keep good environment during being world car export? I'm interested in the applications of this project but unfortunately I could not finish all of it. But I believe, the next project would be very interesting and useful.
Q: How did you like Offenburg?
A: Let's go back to March 2014, first day I arrived in Offenburg I was absolutely lost. I couldn´t find the way to my appartment. I couldn´t even find people who can speak English. But finally, I met one guy, he also studys at Hochschule, he brought me to my home.
After that I tried to learn more German. Everything was getting better. Until June 2014, I realized that I dont want to go back home, I want to stay. 6 months are not enough for me.
I'm from Bangkok, everyone wonders what is so interesting in Offenburg. I couldnt answer and still cant for now. There is only one thing I knew: I lost my heart here.
Q: How did you experience the people living in the Ortenau region?
A: I didn´t take any course at Hochschule during my stay. Only one course I took was German for beginners. So I didn´t meet many students.
But fortunately, there was meetings with senior service. So I met more local people. They are very nice, lots of them have been in Thailand before. They invited for dinner and I really appreciate it.
Before I came here, I read about Germany and German people on the books and also on the internet. Almost 100% of them wrote, "Germans are cold, they are absolutely different from Thais". But I have never met one cold German in Thailand or even here.
Q: Did you have time to travel a little, what did you do in your freetime?
A: Yes, mostly I traveled on weekend and when I have free time I always cooked Thai foods with my friends.
Q: What image of Germany do you have now?
A: Well, before I have been in Germany, only 3 things I knew: you have good beer, you eat sausage and pork knuckle.
But now I know more and more about Germany. And I know deep down inside what I really want to do.
And finally, I made a decision to come back here for my full Masters Degree. I still wonder, why Germany? I couldn't answer myself and still cant now. I just keep it in my mind and I'll find the answer for it when I back here again.
Last but not least, I would like to say "Danke Schoen" to Professor Treffinger and Mr. Florian. Without them, this part would not happen in my journey life.
Phattaraphorn Sangsawang
Exchange Student from Mechanical Department, International Undergraduate
Program, Kasetsart University
Bangkok, Thailand