The Albert Nerken School of Engineering participates in student exchanges with international institutions to offer undergraduate students the opportunity to study at Cooper. Exchange students spend one semester or one year taking a variety of courses ranging across the four core majors in the School of Engineering: civil, chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering.

This fall, we are excited to welcome Max Jonathan Maerklin from the University of Applied Sciences Karlsruhe and Lennart “Lenni” Vetter from the Technical University of Dresden. We asked them to share a bit about themselves and reflect on their first semester at Cooper and how it is going so far.

1. Share a short bio about yourself.

Jonathan: Hi, my name is Max Jonathan Maerklin. I’m 20 years old and a Mechanical Engineering exchange student here at The Cooper Union. My home university is the University of Applied Sciences Karlsruhe in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, which is known for its strong presence in the machine tool and automotive industry.

Lennart: My name is Lennart, but I mainly go by Lenni. I’m an Industrial Engineer from the Technical University Dresden, currently pivoting toward Data Science and Machine Learning. I’m 26 years old and originally from Dresden, but since Covid I’ve lived in Vienna, Berlin, Paris, and Leipzig. After all those stops, I felt New York was the natural next place to experience.

2. What inspired you to choose your area of study? Why did you decide to attend The Cooper Union?

Jonathan: As a young kid, I was always fascinated by machinery. My father, a machine tool engineer, often took me into the companies he worked for, where I could see parts being cut with a plasma cutter or welded together. That interest eventually led me to study mechanical engineering.

My decision to spend a semester at Cooper was more spontaneous. At the beginning of my sophomore year, I was looking into schools for my semester abroad when I met with the dean of Mechanical Engineering at my home university. He told me about Cooper, a name I already recognized, and after a 30-minute conversation about its culture, prestige, and life in New York City, I knew I wanted to come here.

Lennart: Starting my academic journey in Industrial Engineering gave me insight into many disciplines, but it was the financial and entrepreneurial side that first caught my attention. Data-heavy approaches in that field became my introduction to programming and computer science, which eventually led me to discover my passion for data science and machine learning.

I chose Cooper for its project-oriented style of teaching and small class sizes, which allow for direct interaction with professors. On top of that, I wanted to pursue my dream of living in New York — truly one of the most diverse and fascinating cities I’ve ever experienced.

3. Are you currently involved in any extracurricular activities/clubs?

Jonathan: Upon arriving at Cooper, I joined the Cooper Satellite Launch Initiative team, where we are designing and developing a one-unit CubeSat. I also hope to join the Running Club on one of their Friday runs sometime soon.

Lennart: I’m not involved in clubs yet, but I plan to join the Book Club since I am very interested in literature. Outside of Cooper, I also help organize a mutual aid program with my flatmates.

4. What are your favorite aspects of Cooper? What makes this institution a unique place to learn?

Jonathan: From my experience so far, I think the location, the small community, and the mix of arts and sciences make Cooper unique. I bike across the Williamsburg Bridge every morning to get to class, which is a beautiful way to commute. I also find it fascinating to see how the Schools of Art, Engineering, and Architecture each contribute to the culture here.

Lennart: My favorite aspect is the architecture of the main building. Every time I enter, I feel it’s special that this is where I study. I also love Cooper’s location in Lower Manhattan, close to the East Village, Lower East Side, and Chinatown — all vibrant neighborhoods to explore. I think what makes Cooper unique is its practical, project-oriented approach and its small size, where everyone seems to know each other.

5. What are your plans and aspirations after graduation?

Jonathan: If possible, I’d like to work as a Mechatronics Systems Engineer in the United States for two years, and then go on to pursue an MBA. I want to continue learning, deepen my understanding of engineering, and take courses in areas that interest me throughout my life.

Lennart: I will receive my master’s degree very soon after completing this exchange semester. My plan is to work as a Machine Learning Engineer in a field that has a net positive impact on society and makes the world a better place for all of us.

6. What advice would you give to another student?

Jonathan: Take advantage of everything Cooper and New York City have to offer. Sign up for clubs, explore the city, and meet new people. Be aware of what events are happening on campus and around the city. Also, don’t take too many classes — I originally thought four courses would be too few, but I’ve realized that if I had taken more, I wouldn’t have had time to enjoy extracurriculars and other opportunities.

Lennart: Go with the flow and don’t stress too much about minor details when things don’t go the way you planned.