Today we took the bus to Munich to tour the BMW factory and visit the museum. We first started off with a tour of the factory. It was so interesting to get an inside scoop on the intricate production process of BMWs. I also took note of how automated the production is as there were many robots performing tasks. Our tour guide told us about the multi-layer painting process in which there are thick layers of paint added to the cars that add 42 kilometers (about 92 pounds!) to its total weight. Sadly we did not have time to visit the body shop to witness this processing, but we were fortunate to view the detailed craftsmanship between both humans and robots to make the final touches. After the tour we got lunch at BMW where they had sandwiches and pastries.

Then, we went to the museum which is massive with 20 different sections taking us through the full history of BMW with an immersive and engaging walking experience. Each floor felt like we were physically transporting into a new era of the company. As someone who did not have extensive car knowledge, prior to the program, I felt like I gained crucial background knowledge as how the BMW we know today came to be. We saw lots of old car models, engines, and exhibits with timelines and historical facts. Though I’m not a car person, I was in awe of the innovation, detail, and design in each car we saw. The exhibits highlighted how the company has continuously adapted to changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, and industry challenges while maintaining its brand identity. Seeing everything from historic models to futuristic concept vehicles helped me better understand how innovation drives long-term success in manufacturing. This visit to the museum along with the factory tour will be a highlight of the entire program for me, I’m so glad we were able to visit!

After BMW, we spent some time exploring Munich’s Olympic Park. It was incredible to walk through the same site that hosted the 1972 Summer Olympics and remains one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks today. The unique architecture of the stadium and surrounding structures made it easy to see why the park continues to attract visitors from around the world. Afterward, we regrouped for Erin’s birthday dinner at a Mexican restaurant called Enchilada. This was such a fun night where we all celebrated Erin’s birthday together!