For the second year running, this tandem project enabled our first-year Civil Engineering students Sioban, Romain and Charlotte to work with their German counterparts on environmental, technological and computer science topics. This year, they explored the theme of “Societies in Transformation”, with great freedom to choose their subject according to their aspirations. Lasting 3 months, this program led our students to produce a joint poster and present it in pairs before examiners from both establishments before setting off on a study trip.
Thus, from June 18 to 23, 2024, they undertook a landmark trip as part of the Franco-German Tandem program. This program, designed to promote linguistic and cultural exchange between France and Germany, took them from Paris to Erlangen, via Strasbourg and Nuremberg, for a total immersion in German university and cultural life.
The journey began with a series of train journeys from Paris to Erlangen, via Strasbourg and Nuremberg, with Deutsche Bahn. On arrival at their destination, they were warmly welcomed by their German pen pals and their French teachers, Julien Nairance and Mme Petersilka. The evening continued in a typical German biergarten, the Steinbachbräu, where they discovered the convivial atmosphere of these emblematic places, halfway between bar and restaurant.
The following morning, the students visited the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), under the guidance of Lara, their correspondent. They were introduced to Dominique de Ligny, Chair of Glass and Ceramics in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. He shared with them his career path, which began in France and continued in Germany, highlighting the similarities and differences in engineering training between the two countries. They then toured the university’s laboratories, including the optical facilities, before moving on to the computer science department, where they were treated to a captivating presentation of a collection of historic computers, including the Zuse-Z23.
After lunch at La Mensa, the university canteen, the students explored the school’s administrative buildings, located in Erlangen Castle, and its magnificent botanical garden. They shared this moment with members of EELISA, including Amira Watfa, who made this tandem possible.
The day ended with the students taking part in a French-language radio program on music, hosted in part by Julien Nairance. On Thursday, the students had the opportunity to discover the German company Framatome. After discussing the activities of the company, which specializes in the maintenance of nuclear power plants worldwide, they visited the laboratories and talked to several engineers. The visit provided an opportunity to explore internship prospects within Framatome, opening up promising professional horizons for future engineers.
The afternoon was devoted to a guided tour of Erlangen, focusing on its unique history, marked by the arrival of the Huguenots in the 17th century. The day ended with dinner at the Entlas Keller biergarten, on the edge of a forest, providing an ideal setting for total immersion in local culture.
On Friday, the students took an excursion to Nuremberg, accompanied by their German pen pals. They explored the historic city center, painstakingly rebuilt after its destruction during the Second World War, and visited several iconic museums. Romain chose to discover the Deutsche Bahn Museum, which traces the history of the German railroads, echoing the region’s rich railway industry.
At the end of the day, they admired the columns bearing the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in front of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, a poignant reminder of the importance of fundamental rights in our society.
Back in Erlangen, they enjoyed the Fête de la Musique, where the region’s French history was reflected in concerts by French and German artists, singing in French. The evening embodied the spirit of the Tandem: deep cultural sharing and a celebration of common ideals.
On Saturday, Romain returned to France, while Sioban and Charlotte continued their trip with a visit to the city of Bamberg, before returning on Sunday. And so the Tandem program came to an end, a rich experience both linguistically and culturally. It not only enabled them to deepen their knowledge of science and engineering, but also to forge lasting cultural and personal links.
It was a very enriching experience, both linguistically and culturally. We would like to thank all those who made it possible, especially Julien Nairance and Corina Petersilka from FAU, Linda Koiran from Mines Paris – PSL, and ELLISA, without whom none of this would have been possible.
Sioban, Romain and Charlotte
Funded by the European University EELISA, of which our PSL University is a member, this tandem program aims to foster intercultural openness and European citizenship. This initiative highlights the importance of language-culture at Mines Paris – PSL, underlining our commitment to offering enriching and immersive training.
