Pedro never actually wanted to work abroad. But when the opportunity arose to attend a lecture at his university in Málaga, Spain, at which he learned about the EDAG Group's study program, he spontaneously decided to finish his studies in software engineering in Germany. A fantastic chance, and one that he has not regretted: "The industry here in Germany is very different from what we have in Spain."
Pedro was 19 when he came to Fulda. What initially awaited him there was a company-owned apartment for the first three months, an intensive German course, the university course including an internship at EDAG PS (Production Solutions), and a personal mentor from his new department: "That was very valuable for me. At the beginning, I couldn't understand a word, but I had a great supervisor who was always there for me. I could go to him with anything, technical questions, but he also always supported me with personal issues. I am highly satisfied."
For seven years now, students at the University of Málaga have had the opportunity to complete the final year of their courses in mechatronics or software engineering in Fulda. The great advantage lies in the dual study program, because this means that the students gain practical experience during their education, while also improving their language skills. In addition, they also earn their own money. About 25 students have come to Germany this way so far.
At the time, the workload is anything but a walk in the park: university, work and a German course, all in a foreign country, but the distractions were limited for Pedro, as he recounts with a smile: "Corona was my good fortune, in a manner of speaking. Although I would really have liked to, I couldn't go to a pub because everything was closed, so I had a lot of time to study every day."
His efforts have paid off. As soon as he had completed his Bachelor's degree, Pedro was able to take up a full-time position as a software developer at EDAG PS in Fulda. He quickly found his feet, the job is exactly his thing: "The people are really great, we always work as a team, I like that, it's a very creative job."
One of his first tasks was to develop a room planning tool for the offices in his department. Pedro's software for booking workplaces works so well that it could easily be extended for use throughout the entire EDAG Group. The test phase for this is currently under way.
"I am so lucky, my job is my hobby,“ he beams. Pedro quite simply enjoys developing applications. In his private life, too, he is always looking for new fields of activity in this direction. He is currently in the process of turning his new apartment into a smart home: "I want to automate everything I can here, for instance I want to use my cell phone to control the lights and heating, and develop a system for this, just for fun."
As he is fascinated by innovations and everything to do with the digitalization of factories, he likes to develop aspects of the smart factory environment. At the moment, he is working in a plant optimization project for a major tire manufacturer. This involves simulating transport paths in warehouses, and includes 3D visualization.
Things like this appeal to him, he is always keen to learn more and more, and data science and artificial intelligence are at the top of his list. He has the full support of his boss: "I tell all my friends in Spain that I have the best boss in the world. When I go to him and say I want to develop my skills and learn about a new tool, he arranges training for me straight away. I've already been signed up for two workshops, that's really cool. He's more of a buddy than a boss. And I can work from home whenever I want to."
There are about 30 colleagues in his department: young and old, some with families and children and some singles with no family or dependants". Pedro is enjoying finally having the chance to express his sociable side again. He often goes to the beer garden with colleagues in the evening. "We have a lot of fun together."
One thing that completely surprised him is the German mentality. "In Spain, we think that Germans are dead serious and work all the time, but that's just not true. I've met so many totally nice people here." This change of perspective has played an important role in broadening his horizons.
Pedro is grateful for this experience with EDAG PS. The only thing he really misses from time to time is the Spanish sun.And yet he is glad that he took the step at 19: "I am the one who benefits most of all". As he sees it, being a young person alone in a foreign country and having to find your way around is a personal gain: "You get to know yourself better and realize what's important to you, what you like and what you don't." Pedro can definitely imagine living in Germany for a long time: "I have no plans to go back to Spain in the next 15 years."
