After all the site visits, discussions with employees, and meetings with our groups, it was finally time to present. We had a quick lunch at the university and did one last run-through of our presentation. I am a very nervous presenter, so I kept practicing in my head what I wanted to say, how to present it effectively, and making sure I knew my topic well enough to answer any questions afterward.
My group presented on KUKA and delivered a research analysis that included an overview of the company, a PESTLE analysis, Porter’s Five Forces, and a CASE analysis. We focused specifically on KUKA within the automotive industry, even though the company is involved in many other industries as well. Our presentation differed from others because it focused not only on cars and the automotive industry, but also on competitors, robotics, and shifting industry markets around the world.
Reflecting on this trip, one of the hardest things to explain to someone who wasn’t there is just how much we accomplished in such a short amount of time. Each day included several tours or site visits, along with early mornings and long bus rides. Most days involved 8–10 hours of scheduled activities, and afterward, our group would still find something to do, whether that meant going to dinner or exploring Augsburg. We often had 12–16 hour days for nearly two weeks straight.
We always tried to make the most of our limited time in Germany, and we definitely did. Looking back, it is almost hard to believe how much we packed into each day. Just reflecting on everything makes me tired! At the same time, I hope to carry these experiences with me into the future and continue sharing everything I learned, both about history and the business world.
To end the night, we ate dinner at the Ratskeller, a restaurant located underneath the Rathaus in Augsburg. The German food was delicious, and I ordered creamy turkey and mushrooms with spaetzle. It was also nice to have a proper goodbye with the German students, as well as Elisabeth, who had been with us throughout the entire trip.
A few of us ended the night with gelato before heading to bed early to prepare for our day in Salzburg.
