After several days packed with company visits and tours, Friday gave us a little more flexibility to explore Augsburg on our own. Since our presentation from a Bloomberg Businessweek reporter was not until the afternoon, a group of us decided to spend the morning visiting a museum in the city. We walked through different exhibits and spent time looking at the artwork and learning more about the history and culture of Augsburg. It was a nice change of pace from the business-focused visits we had been doing throughout the week.
After the museum, we made our way to the University of Augsburg. Since we had some extra time before the presentation, we decided to explore more of the campus on our own. Eventually, we found the university’s outdoor sports complex, which included a track and athletic fields. A few of the guys decided to race each other on the track, while the rest of us watched and enjoyed the nice weather. It was fun to have some unstructured time to hang out together and experience the campus without being on a formal tour.
Later in the afternoon, we attended a virtual presentation from a reporter with Bloomberg Businessweek. I found this presentation especially interesting because it connected many of the topics we had been discussing throughout the week. He spoke about current trends in the automotive industry, including competition from Chinese manufacturers and the challenges companies face as they transition toward electric vehicles. One point that stood out to me was how difficult it can be for companies to time major changes. Some manufacturers were slow to invest in electric vehicles, while others may have expanded too quickly before consumer demand was fully ready. It gave me a better understanding of the challenges facing the industry and how quickly market conditions can change.
After the presentation, a few of us met up with one of the German students, who recommended a local matcha shop. We spent some time there talking and getting to know each other better before walking through one of Augsburg’s local markets. The market was filled with vendors selling fresh vegetables, meats, breads, and other local products. It was interesting to see a part of everyday life in Augsburg and compare it to markets back home.
As the afternoon continued, some people headed back to rest while the rest of us kept exploring the city. We visited the cathedral and spent time admiring the architecture and details inside. Looking back on the day, what I appreciated most was the chance to experience Augsburg at a slower pace. Instead of rushing between scheduled activities, we were able to explore the city, spend time with friends, and learn more about local life through our own experiences. It ended up being one of the most relaxing and enjoyable days of the trip.