Engineering Global Perspectives in Göttingen, Germany
For many engineering students, the transition from theoretical equations to real-world application happens in a lab. But for a select group of students at the University of San Diego, that transition doesn’t happen in a classroom — it happens inside some of the most advanced aerospace facilities in the world.
Led by Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Frank Jacobitz, PhD, MENG 462: Topics in Fluid Mechanics is a senior elective that has evolved into a cornerstone of the department’s study abroad offerings. What began as a sabbatical seminar talk in 2017 has matured into a three-week immersion in Göttingen, Germany, at the German Aerospace Center (DLR). To put the scale of this opportunity into perspective, the DLR is the German equivalent of NASA — its mission also encompasses national research for energy, transport and security.
A defining element of MENG 462 is the unparalleled access to research equipment and facilities. By leveraging Jacobitz’s deep institutional relationships, the DLR provides immense support for the program, offering dedicated partners for facility visits.
This year’s cohort of 17 students navigated a staggering array of specialized learning environments. They visited the Transonic Wind Tunnel of the German-Dutch Wind Tunnels organization, which tests speeds from subsonic to supersonic. They stood before the DLR Cryogenic Ludwieg Tube, a 400-foot pressurized tube that utilizes gaseous nitrogen for specialized testing at cryogenic temperatures. Perhaps the most visceral was the DLR High Enthalpy Shock Tunnel, a facility designed to simulate the searing heat a spacecraft experiences during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
While the destination is visually stunning, the "Göttingen experience" is famously intense. The course condenses a semester's worth of fluid mechanics into a three-week sprint. A typical day involves three hours of morning lectures with technical tours of world-class facilities, with afternoons dedicated to cultural exploration.
For the students, the intensity is well worth the reward. "Taking Topics in Fluid Mechanics in Göttingen had a really meaningful impact on both my academic experience and my perspective on my future career,” says senior mechanical engineering student Isabella Pardo ‘26. “It was especially fascinating having our class connected to DLR and being able to see what we learned in the classroom translated into real, hands-on applications. Experiencing that connection firsthand made everything feel much more tangible and reinforced my interest in pursuing a career where I can apply what I learn in a practical, real-world setting.”
To balance the academic rigor, Jacobitz ensures the program integrates rich cultural, political and historic glimpses into the region. The students toured a historic observatory, opted for a city tour, visited the Reichstag (the German Parliament) in Berlin and even caught a local basketball game.
“The students are exploring a foreign country with a group of peers, learning about German culture, history and food,” explains Jacobitz with immense pride. “They get to learn about the structure of government on the legislature side. They get to visit the Parliament in Berlin, which was burned down and later rebuilt, revealing layers of inscriptions of Russian soldiers from the Battle of Berlin.”
For senior mechanical engineering student Brian Manrique, exploring Germany was what he considered to be one of the most valuable experiences he could ever have: “Being exposed to the working culture in Göttingen encourages me to care for my passions and deeply pursue all corners of curiosity. We all got to see, firsthand, the characteristics of working professionals within the facility tours — the work that you cannot even fathom until you are standing in front of an air compressor about a meter or two taller than you. With the example set from all at the DLR, I’ve been blessed with the tools needed to grow into an exemplary professional.
Despite challenges — including a 2021 cancellation and a brief stint teaching the course locally during the pandemic — the demand for the class remains driven by student interest. USD’s study abroad program shows students that engineering doesn't happen in a vacuum — it provides unique opportunities that offer a rich blend of professional and personal growth in regions steeped in culture, history and technological innovation.
The success of this experience was supported by the many researchers at the DLR, Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology. They provided guest lectures, explained their work and showcased the research facilities used. Dr. Marco Costantini helped with the course organization and, having moved from his native Italy to Germany, strongly believes in international collaboration in research and teaching.
“I am very grateful for this fruitful collaboration with Prof. Jacobitz, which is standing since 2019 and is a remarkable synergy in the field of fluid mechanics," says Costantini." The exchange with the students is really enriching from multiple points of view: they have asked well-posed questions during the lectures and the facility visits; have shown genuine interest in fluid mechanics and in the cultural environment; and have significantly supported the advancement in the joint research. It has been a pleasure to serve as the main DLR contact person for the group!”
“What was most inspiring to me was being part of a group of people who were just as fascinated by the material, while also building stronger connections with my classmates throughout the experience,” explains Pardo. “Being in a completely new environment and immersing ourselves in a different culture further enhanced that experience, adding another layer of perspective and making it even more meaningful overall."
Whether it's discussing fluid dynamics in a world-class wind tunnel or navigating the German train system during a snowstorm, the experience leaves a lasting impact on how these future engineers see the world.
Manrique offers these final encouraging remarks: “This course is an excellent exposure to a whole new culture while also learning the skills to propel your career forward. Dr. Jacobitz is an excellent source of knowledge and any course with him is designed for the engineer with a comprehensive mind and eye for quality. Students can expect to build their skills with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software while concurrently studying the theory that is foundational to this field of engineering. Anybody who takes this course will be enlightened by the way it harmoniously mixes academic rigor, recreation and unforgettable memories.”