Student News
CARNEGIE MELLON DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
An Unforgettable Year M
echE junior Krystina Teoh has been living in Aachen, Germany, since last August as part of a one-year study abroad program at RWTH Aachen University. A seasoned international traveler, Teoh wanted to learn more about other countries’ histories, languages, foods, and cultures—as well as study mechanical engineering from a global perspective. RWTH fit well with
Teoh’s priorities, as the University offers exciting research and coursework opportunities. Teoh also liked the fact that Germany’s central location would make it convenient to travel throughout Europe. Since her arrival, Teoh has had to adjust to academia in Germany, where engineering classes are much
more theoretical than at Carnegie Mellon—and group work and project-based assignments are almost non-existent. This combination has forced Teoh to work extra hard to prepare for exam periods. “It’s a different way of studying,” says Teoh. “I’ve been spoiled by Carnegie Mellon, where the professors’ lectures are often sufficient to help me understand the material. I also miss the frequent hands-on experience and teamwork at MechE.” Outside the classroom, Teoh has developed an interest in cooking international dishes.
Curry wurst mit pommes (sausage with fries)
While staying in Aachen, Germany, Krystina Teoh is able to enjoy the city’s unique blend of architectural periods and styles.
According to her, the food in Aachen consists mostly of wursts (sausages), pommes (fries), schnitzel (traditional Austrian dish), and of course bier (beer). However, as Teoh’s roommates and friends have very diverse backgrounds—hailing from England, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, and Brazil—Teoh has experienced a diverse range of foods and cultures. Teoh has also benefited from the chance to travel to various cities and countries, in both
Europe and Asia. She strongly encourages others to study abroad, to capitalize on this chance to travel both within and outside the sponsoring country.
“Many facets of life are similar, wherever you choose to go,”Teoh says. “But I’ve met so many people of different backgrounds and cultures, and they have so much to teach me. There’s so much to learn out there, and so many new things to become interested in.” Teoh will return from Aachen this August for her
senior year at Carnegie Mellon. While she’ll miss the smell of chocolate wafting from the Lindt Chocolate Factory, and the half-hour walk to the Netherlands, Teoh will never forget her many memories and new friends from her year abroad.•
Teoh (right) is shown with two fellow students at the top of Aachen’s Dom(cathedral). Visitors are only allowed to climb to the top of the building one time each
year.The city’s town hall, or Rathaus, is shown behind them.
16 I C ARNEGIE M ECH
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