Landon Goetz Highlight

This fall, we are spotlighting GEARE students whose experiences abroad have reshaped both their studies and worldviews. Meet Landon Goetz, a graduate student in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University, who spent a semester - from April to August 2024 - at the Karlsruhe Institute of Kechnology (KIT) in Germany. Alongside his coursework, Landon completed an internship with Daimler Trucks in Stuttgart, a city renowned for its automotive innovation and engineering heritage.

At KIT, for his global design team project, Landon joined an international project working with  tractor powertrains, bringing together GEARE students from Purdue and KIT. The team’s mission: design a next-generation hybrid-powered tractor, reflecting the global shift toward sustainable technologies. The project unfolded in three phases: designing a hybrid module to combine torque from both engine and electric motor, developing the gearbox and transmission system, and integrating all components through a central differential.

While the project strengthened his technical skills, Landon says the most valuable lessons were intercultural. Working with students from Germany, Austria, and the U.S., he learned to bridge language barriers, communicate across disciplines, and reconcile diverse engineering approaches. “It was an academic experience you simply can’t get at Purdue,” he reflects. “Collaborating internationally taught me to explain complex ideas through cultural and linguistic differences.”

Landon’s internship at Daimler Trucks offered an up-close view of German engineering culture. He observed that while American workplaces often emphasize adaptability, German engineering prioritizes verified standards. “They even had a detailed chartbook translating technical relations into English,” he recalls. “Their meticulousness was something I truly admired.”

Outside work, Landon embraced Germany’s celebrated work-life balance. He experienced Labor Day in Karlsruhe through a cheerful “beer hike,” trekking with friends. Living with German roommates gave him daily immersion in language and culture. He joined a calisthenics club that met weekly in a park and became part of a Free Evangelical Church community, attending services in German and connecting with locals. 

His semester also shaped his academic focus. A course on Combined Cycle Power Plants inspired him to pursue graduate research. The experience abroad really helped Landon to understand his options and make an informed decision.

Reflecting on his experience, Landon describes his GEARE journey as transformative and exciting. From designing hybrid tractors to forging relationships across cultures, his time in Germany strengthened both his technical expertise and his understanding of the world. Put yourself in new situations. Engage with new people. Take the leap - you won’t regret it.