My time at KIT

My interest in this field began somewhat unexpectedly. I first came across it through a Hausarbeit my sister had written in Prof. Steib’s class. The central question was: Do schools educate us to give us freedom, or to turn us into workers? I found this question surprisingly compelling. It challenged the way I had always thought about education and made me curious to explore the topic further. Since I had never heard of this particular field before, researching it felt both new and exciting. Eventually, I decided to reach out myself. I sent an email—somewhat unsure of what to expect—and was very glad when I received a positive response. 

When I arrived at KIT, I quickly realized that my time there would be structured but varied. I was given my own office space, which gave me a sense of independence and responsibility from the beginning. A detailed schedule had already been prepared, showing that my time there was meant to be purposeful and productive. 

On Monday, I was introduced to the general workflow and given my first tasks. At first, I had to get used to the new environment and expectations, but I appreciated being guided through the process while still being encouraged to think independently. It was interesting to see how theoretical concepts are connected to practical work. 

On Tuesday, I visited a Lernfabrik. The idea behind it—to improve sustainability by repairing, renewing, and reassembling components into new products—was particularly interesting to me. Instead of simply discarding materials, the focus was on reuse and efficiency. Watching high-tech robotic machines operate alongside human workers made the entire process feel both modern and forward-thinking. It showed how technological innovation and environmental awareness can complement each other. 

On Wednesday, I attended a seminar with Dr. Schwarz. The students were working on their exposés, which gave me the chance to observe the academic process more closely. While they worked, I read through a handout I had been given and later asked a few spontaneous questions that had come to mind. The discussion that followed helped me better understand the broader context of the field and how complex some of the underlying questions are. 

Today, I spent time writing more detailed reflections on my experiences so far. Taking the time to put everything into words made me realize how much I have learned in a relatively short period. It has not only been about gaining knowledge, but also about understanding how academic work is structured and how research topics are approached critically. 

Tomorrow, I will be going on an excursion, which I am looking forward to. Overall, my schedule has kept me engaged with a wide range of activities, from hands-on experiences to academic discussions. My time at KIT has given me new perspectives, challenged some of my assumptions, and encouraged me to think more critically about education, sustainability, and research. It has been an experience that broadened my understanding and gave me a clearer sense of how diverse and interconnected different fields can be.