“I knew I wanted to do an internship in Germany for the summer because they have an amazing reputation for engineering,” says Lexy Guazzone ’26, noting that the country is home to influential automotive companies such as BMW and Volkswagen.
The mechanical engineering major was one of only 12 students chosen for the highly competitive Ruhr Fellowship Program, which enables undergraduates from a select group of 11 high-ranking U.S. colleges and universities to build professional skills during an eight-week experience in Germany’s Ruhr region. The area is known for its industrial heritage and plays a significant role in the country’s coal and steel industries.
The program provides two weeks of cultural immersion: Guazzone will take a German language course, participate in workshops, and explore various universities, museums, and cultural sites. Then, she’ll complete a six-week internship at TU Dortmund University’s Institute of Forming Technology and Lightweight Components and attend networking events.
“I am particularly excited about the opportunity to compare and contrast engineering practices between Germany and the United States,” she says. “This international perspective will be instrumental in shaping my career and broadening my understanding of global engineering challenges and solutions.”
Guazzone says she’s had an interest in math and physics, the foundations of engineering, from a young age, and her love of cars, engines, and planes—she’s pursuing a minor in aerospace engineering—is a significant aspect of her identity. She is also bilingual in French and has learned some Russian, Italian, and Korean on her own.
“One of my side passions is learning new languages,” says Guazzone. “Just picking up a few words in a language can spark a whole new connection with someone and maybe even lead to a new friendship.”
The process of applying for the fellowship has also helped Guazzone build relationships on campus, including with her advisor in the mechanical engineering and mechanics department, Teaching Associate Professor and Associate Department Chair Christina V. Haden.
“Professor Haden really motivated me to work hard toward this,” says Guazzone. “She’s always been an inspiration to me here at Lehigh.”
Guazzone also credits the Office of Fellowship Advising, specifically staff member Jennifer Marangos, for supporting her through the process.
“Jennifer helped me edit my essay through three or four drafts,” says Guazzone. “She was such a great help.”
While Guazzone is excited for her adventure, she anticipates that living abroad will present its own set of challenges: Adjusting to a new environment, cultural norms, and language will require her to be flexible and resilient.
“Adapting to the learning curve will be the hardest part,” she says, “but in the end it will be the most rewarding. I know I will face challenges and grow from that and build not only my character but also my skills in engineering.”
—Brianna Banful ’24 is a student writer for the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science
