Hello everyone, I am Huhetuge from Class 2, Digital Technologies, the Class of 2024. I feel incredibly honored to have been selected for this internship program in Germany. I would like to share all my insights and takeaways from this experience with every fellow student, hoping to offer you some help and inspiration.
Industrial Automation and PLC Technology Practice: Where Code Meets Electric Current
Stepping into the training space of Beckhoff, I touched the very texture of industrial intelligence—it is no longer an unattainable technical term, but a programmable, connectable, interactive physical reality. From understanding the logical architecture of PLCs and writing my first control code with my own hands, to wiring circuits and watching signal lights flicker to command, I came to realize: automation is, in essence, a rigorous form of poetry, with electric current as its ink and logic as its rhythm, composing efficiency and precision in the cadence of machines.
In the German language classes at HSBI (Hochschule Bielefeld), language learning became a light and joyful adventure. We unlocked vocabulary through games, approached German culture through conversations, and heard the philosophy of life behind the language in shared stories about festivals and daily life. This experience made me believe: language is not merely a tool, but a window—open it, and you see not just grammatical structures, but a nation’s attitude toward time, relationships and life.
Joining HSBI’s photovoltaic research project, we attempted to capture the “footprints” of sunlight. From collecting data on solar altitude and power generation, to fitting the hidden patterns between them with machine learning models, I experienced the beauty of research: data has a story to tell, but someone needs to weave the grammar for it. In the end, we integrated scattered information into charts, models and a research paper, and completed a full journey from observing natural phenomena to expressing knowledge in our final presentation.
At Miele’s vocational training center, Industry 4.0 is no longer just a slogan, but a practical and actionable skill system. Learning CAD and CMD was like learning to draw blueprints for the factory of the future; understanding digital processes felt like previewing an upcoming industrial symphony. I realized: the true industrial revolution happens in the digitalization of every single detail.
Walking into the Weidmüller factory, the assembly line was no longer just a diagram in textbooks, but a living entity with warmth and rhythm. Here, corporate culture and manufacturing craftsmanship mirror each other, and innovation takes place not only in R&D centers, but also in the design of every production process. At that moment, I understood: a great factory is also an open book of philosophy, writing about the relationships between efficiency, quality and people.
At the Siemens Energy Training Center, we started with Java, organized data with MySQL, and built tangible interactive interfaces with HTTP and HTML. The world of code may seem abstract, yet it underpins the operational logic of the real world. I gradually came to understand: IT technology is, in its core, the art of connection—connecting people and systems, data and decisions, needs and solutions.
This journey has brought me tangible growth both professionally and mentally. In terms of skills, I truly experienced the beauty of integration across different fields: the rigorous logic of PLC programming, the predictive power of data modeling, and the digital world built by code. I have come to understand that a modern engineer needs more than just a single skill; what matters more is systematic thinking that turns interdisciplinary knowledge into practical solutions.
At the same time, from communicating in German to collaborating in international teams, I learned how to cross cultural boundaries through countless interactions, understanding others’ perspectives while maintaining professionalism. During the photovoltaic project presentation, I further realized that clear communication and team collaboration are often just as important as technical competence.
Most importantly, I witnessed the admirable traits of German industrial culture: a commitment to quality, a reverence for processes, and a pragmatic pursuit of innovation. This made me rethink the weight of the word “engineering”—it is not just about technical implementation, but also a promise of reliability and value.
Challenges were the most genuine teachers on this journey.
Language was the first major hurdle. From classroom learning to real-life conversations, I chose to step out of my comfort zone proactively: listening more, asking more, and fearing no mistakes. I gradually understood that the key to cross-cultural communication lies in sincerity and courage, not just perfect grammar.
I also encountered difficulties in technology. When building models for the photovoltaic project, the choice of algorithms and interpretation of results once brought us to a standstill. We decided to return to the basics, break down the big problems, and verify step by step. This process taught me: when facing complex problems, clear logic and patience are often more important than advanced technology.
In international team collaboration, we also had frictions due to different work habits. By establishing transparent communication rules and regular feedback mechanisms, we learned how to turn differences into creativity. I realized: good cooperation is not about eliminating differences, but about making them complementary forces.
This internship was like a window, showing me how knowledge manifests itself in the real world.
The theories I learned in the classroom came alive in the projects—photovoltaic principles became analyzable data, and programming concepts turned into operable systems. I am more convinced than ever that the meaning of learning is to make knowledge flow and solve real-world problems.
This experience has also clarified my future direction. I hope to delve deep into the interdisciplinary field of intelligent manufacturing or energy digitalization, understanding the essence of industrial systems while empowering them with new possibilities through digital technology.
To this end, I will study with greater purpose: focusing on practice and application in professional courses, continuously improving my language skills, and paying attention to how technology creates real value. I hope I can always keep the passion to turn ideas into reality and let technology serve people.
This internship journey across national borders and disciplines has given me far more than just knowledge and skills. It allowed me to experience firsthand how theory is translated into practice, how language connects cultures, and how code drives reality. Through every challenge and breakthrough, I have gradually understood what true engineering spirit is—it is not only about technical proficiency, but also an unremitting pursuit of reliability, systematicness and human-centered needs.
Here, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those who made this experience possible:
Thank you to the mentors and engineers at Beckhoff, HSBI, Miele, Weidmüller and Siemens Energy. Your professional guidance and open sharing have let me see the depth of industry and the warmth of innovation.
Thank you to the teachers at our university for your careful support and trust, and for building such a precious international practice platform for us.
Thank you to my fellow participants who walked this journey with me. Those days of joint discussion and collaborative problem-solving will become shining moments in my memory.
This experience is both a window and a light—it has let me see a broader world, and it will illuminate my path forward.
