A native of Germany, Hauptmann earned her bachelor’s in electrical engineering in 2023. Now, she’s pursuing her master’s degree in Stuttgart and working as a student quality engineer at Porsche. (Photo courtesy of Franziska Hauptmann)

Growing up in Germany, Franziska Hauptmann knew that to be able to combine studying and her to UMSL, where she earned her bachelor’s in electrical engineering in 2023, but she always knew she wanted to return to Germany for her master’s degree. Now living in Stuttgart for graduate school and working as a student quality engineer at Porsche, Hauptmann enjoys the balance between the city’s strong business community and its beautiful landscapes. While she might not stay in Stuttgart forever, she appreciates the opportunities and experiences the city has offered so far. –Erica Falgout

Where to stay

There’s no wrong place to visit in Germany! I would recommend both the northern cities, like Lübeck and Rostock, for their charm and the Southern cities, like Heidelberg, Nürnberg and Stuttgart, for their history and beauty.

Must-see attractions

Stuttgart’s Wasen is a festival like Oktoberfest and a must for experiencing Bavarian traditions. For picturesque scenery and historic architecture, Heidelberg and Lübeck. In my opinion, these are two of the prettiest cities in Germany.

Food to try

A visit to Germany isn’t complete without trying käsespätzle, a delicious cheesy noodle dish, and kaiserschmarrn, a fluffy caramelized pancake that’s one of my favorite desserts.

Biggest surprise about living and working in Stuttgart

Stuttgart is known for its traditional, somewhat reserved culture, but I was pleasantly surprised by how welcoming the people are. I didn’t know much about the landscape and the area, and this surprised me as well. Despite being in a major city, you’re surrounded by nature and have easy access to the Alps, which is very comforting.

Favorite thing about Stuttgart

Besides Stuttgart’s great economy and major companies, I love my team at Porsche and the tasks I work on. I have a lot of fun because I’m challenged every day, and it never gets boring.

This story was originally published in the spring 2025 issue of UMSL Magazine. If you have a story idea for UMSL Magazine, email magazine@umsl.edu.