Apprentice stories from abroad

Apprenticeship, travel and adventure

Our apprentice stories

Want more than just learning — ready to explore the world too? Our apprentices and dual students show you how it’s done! Here, you’ll find real insights into everyday life at their temporary home abroad, exciting projects, and the experiences they’ve gained along the way.

"Those who explore the world discover themselves. Time abroad gives you experience that stays with you for life."

Fabian Fricke Training Officer

Hannes & Luca in Beijing

September-December 2025

Beijing

From the end of September to the end of December 2025, Luca and Hannes completed a stay abroad at the newly opened BENTELER plant in Beijing. The site is a joint venture between BENTELER and BHAP and was officially opened during their stay. At the same time, the first series successfully went into series production.

Luca worked in the engineering department and supported the production start-up. His main tasks included cycle time analyses, process analyses, and the optimization of production processes. In addition, he worked intensively with Lean Six Sigma methods and was able to apply them directly in an industrial environment.

Hannes worked in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) department. There, he prepared SAP data and analyzed it in structured tables. In addition, he helped set up a logistics database for the BENTELER plant in Fuzhou and was in direct contact with various suppliers.

The collaboration with their Chinese colleagues was very open and cooperative. In addition to their daily work, they regularly took part in joint activities, including sports such as skiing and running, as well as daily table tennis breaks and karaoke singing together at KTV, which greatly strengthened their relationships with each other.

In addition, Luca and Hannes took part in several events organized by the BAIC Group and Beijing Benz Automotive Corporation (BBAC), such as sports and outdoor events, where they achieved success and had the opportunity to play badminton with the Mercedes Asia Pacific CEO and the BAIC CEO, among others, and engage in interesting conversations. Both also made active use of their time outside of working hours.

After work, they often went to the gym, nearby shopping centers, or occasionally into the city center. On the weekends, they explored Beijing and the surrounding regions. The beginning of the assignment also coincided with Golden Week, which was used for a
round trip through China to visit cities such as Chongqing, Zhangjiajije, and Shanghai.

During the rest of the stay, additional insights into other production sites were gained, including a visit to the Benteler plant in Tianjin and the Stelato Super Factory of the BAIC Group in cooperation with Huawei. The assignment abroad provided practical insights into the establishment and start-up of a new production site. In addition to technical knowledge, international cooperation, intercultural communication, and technical English in an industrial environment were further developed. Both look back on an enlightening and formative time.

Nicola & Abylai in Auburn Hills

September-November 2025

Auburn Hills

Our apprentices Nicola and Abylai began their three-month stay abroad in Auburn Hills, USA, in September. North of Detroit, formerly the largest automotive city, the two gained a wealth of experience in sales service.

They supported the team in preparing for the 2026 Detroit Auto Show. The annual trade fair is one of the largest in the automotive industry. Comparing offers, researching materials, and designing graphics were among their core tasks. In addition, both were involved in everyday processes such as conducting forecasts, creating 3PO measures, and reviewing contracts.

In their free time, especially on weekends, the two often went on exploration tours. First, they visited nearby Detroit and the surrounding area. Gradually, they visited Niagara Falls, Cleveland, Chicago, and Toronto. In addition to more distant destinations, they also visited local attractions and participated in activities. They visited and explored the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit, Detroit Pistons basketball games, a Wayne University football game, and the German-American village of Frankenmuth. To round off their stay abroad, they traveled to New York City at the end of their internship in mid-December. There, they were able to get into the holiday spirit and ring in the new year in Manhattan, which was decorated for Christmas.

During their stay abroad, Nicola and Abylai were able to acquire new professional skills, grow personally, and get to know the US culture properly. Both look back gratefully on an instructive and exciting time.

Joel-Maurice & Felix in Grand Rapids

July-September 2024

Grand Rapids

In July 2024, our dual IT students Joel-Maurice and Felix began their three-month assignment abroad in Grand Rapids.

Joel-Maurice got to know the local IT infrastructure — including the key-card system, server wiring, and server disposal — and supported the migration of legacy systems. He also contributed new ideas and cost-saving measures for the plant. Amongst other things, Felix trained colleagues in the supply chain team on the production planning tool and on the sales and operations planning process. He supported the implementation of MProCs Outbound at the plant, worked on SAP application development, and visited the BENTELER plant in Holland.

The two made the most of their free time: attending a taco festival (including goal-wall shooting and throwing), celebrating four accident-free years at the plant, and enjoying restaurant visits with colleagues from various departments. They also joined a company baseball game with colleagues from the Hagen Drive plant.

Every week, they explored new places — including trips to Toronto and Niagara Falls. They spent beach days in Grand Haven, Holland, and South Haven; attended NASCAR races; and went hiking on trails and in nearby forests. Countless cultural highlights included art museums and the Ford Museum in Detroit.

Joel-Maurice and Felix fully embraced their time abroad, and with countless new impressions, they have now returned to continue their dual studies in Paderborn.

Nico & Erik in Shreveport

July-September 2024

Shreveport

Our apprentices Nico and Erik kicked off their three-month assignment in Shreveport, USA, in July. After arriving, they jumped straight into work: safety briefings and a plant tour were the first steps.

Nico worked with the local IT team. His mentor quickly noticed his interest in programming and introduced him to the MES team. There, Nico was given his own project: “Mobile Applications.” He designed a framework including a homepage for the plant’s scanners. After completing it, he developed a Meeting Attendance Application that allows users to create, edit, and manage meetings — including attendance via scanning. Nico loved this project because he could contribute his own ideas and had a supportive team around him. One major challenge was giving a presentation on his project in English — which he mastered brilliantly.

Erik worked in the Hot Mill as an electrician in maintenance. His tasks included servicing and repairing equipment and troubleshooting issues. He also worked on programming assignments and configured and tested a training station for PLC systems in the tech room, helping new team members learn the basics of PLCs.

In their free time, Nico and Erik visited many exciting places, including Hot Springs National Park. They also met up with Lea and Manuel, our dual International Business students based in Houston. Together, they went to a Copa América soccer match. Another highlight was a swamp tour in New Orleans, where the four saw alligators in the wild. After the program, Nico spent an additional two weeks traveling the West Coast — visiting San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.

Both apprentices expanded their technical skills, completed new projects, and discovered American culture. They are grateful for the experience and agree they would do it again anytime.

Lea & Manuel in Houston

July-September 2024

Houston

Lea and Manuel, our dual students in International Business, gained invaluable professional and personal experience during their three-month assignment in Houston.

They helped develop a marketing video for the Shreveport plant, documenting the entire process from construction to commissioning of the new thread-cutting system. They were also responsible for preparing outgoing invoices for the Shreveport plant and supported the relaunch of the North American oil & gas product website.

In their free time, they took numerous city trips — including Austin, San Antonio, San Marcos, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. They explored Gulf Coast beaches like Galveston, Freeport, and Port Aransas, and enjoyed Houston’s many attractions: the NASA Space Center, museums, and parks such as Memorial Park, Hermann Park, and Buffalo Bayou Park. A standout moment was attending the Copa América quarterfinal at NRG Stadium, where they saw Lionel Messi play as Argentina faced Ecuador. They also enjoyed discovering local cuisine, from Mexican dishes to classic Texas BBQ.

Lea and Manuel returned home with expanded skills, unforgettable impressions, and a deeper understanding of international work and culture.

Paul & Brian in Shreveport

January-April 2024

Shreveport

For our Paderborn apprentices Paul and Brian, the three-month adventure abroad began in early January at our Shreveport plant in Louisiana.

As future process technologists, they primarily work in maintenance: servicing and repairing machines, equipment, and components. This aspect in particular makes up a large part of their work — restoring, modifying, or completely rebuilding parts. Their creativity was also put to the test when designing custom solutions.

They also install and remove components used in the production lines and learn how to work safely with lockout procedures. Their daily tasks include replacing bearings and assembling mechanical components according to technical drawings.

To get to know the country better, Paul and Brian spent much of their free time exploring.
In the US, especially, the heart of every sports fan and car enthusiast beats a little faster.

Thanks to good connections to Dallas and Houston, they were able to catch some basketball games. Houston also offered plenty to explore — especially the NASA Space Center, which combines hands-on technology exhibits with a museum-style journey through the history of American space exploration — where Brian even touched a piece of the moon.

A local highlight was a craft brewery producing the famous “318 Beer,” made with water from the nearby Red River. Evenings often ended in small bars where they met locals and made new connections.

As their stay in Shreveport came to an end in April, the adventure wasn’t quite over: before heading back to Paderborn, they spent two weeks traveling through the US.