ALABAMA-ESSLINGEN-MERCEDES-XCHANGE
Alabama-Esslingen-Mercedes-Xchange (AEMX) Program
“The combination of showing that you can learn a new language to the point of fluency in two years and gaining engineering experience at one of the top companies in the world is an indispensable item on your resume.”
– Carter Boyle, Cohort 2, Freshman 2015
Alabama-Esslingen-Mercedes-Exchange
The AEMX program is a premier international exchange designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and global industry standards. As the successor to the “Two Steps Ahead” initiative, AEMX partners with Mercedes-Benz US International (MBUSI) in Vance, AL, and Hochschule Esslingen in Germany. Top undergraduate students receive advanced automotive training and immersive exposure to Baden-Württemberg, Germany’s premier high-tech hub. By combining technical mastery with cultural fluency, AEMX prepares the next generation of engineers for leadership roles at global companies like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Bosch, and ZF.
Dr. Bharat Balasubramanian
A central figure in the automotive world, Dr. Bharat Balasubramanian serves as the visionary founder behind AEMX. His career is defined by nearly 40 years of leadership at Daimler AG, where he served as Vice President of Group Research and Advanced Engineering. After leading ten successful cohorts of the “Two Steps Ahead” program, Dr. Balasubramanian expanded the initiative into the current AEMX partnership. He draws upon his deep-rooted connections with Mercedes-Benz and the German automotive sector to provide students with high-level industrial networking and a clear professional roadmap for launching successful careers in the global automotive industry.
https://news.ua.edu/2017/01/ua-offering-engineering-course-taught-in-german/
Germany / Esslingen am Neckar
The beautiful and historic town of Esslingen nestled in between vineyard-clad hills and along the Neckar river, will host students during their year abroad. Esslingen is located approximately six miles outside of Stuttgart, the capital of the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, which is full of cultural amenities and hosts a plethora of German festivals year-round. Transportation is made easy by the VVS, the Stuttgart metro train system, including S-Bahn, U-Bahn and regional trains, which allows for ease of access to anywhere that students would like to go around Stuttgart and beyond.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz, a global icon of prestige and innovation, offers AEMX students an unparalleled bridge into the world of elite engineering. Through this partnership, students gain exclusive access to internships at the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc. (MBUSI) plant in Alabama, as well as the chance to work at the company’s global headquarters in Germany. This international exposure provides more than just technical skill; it fosters the cultural fluency and global mindset essential for modern leadership. By working across two continents, students will develop the vision needed to drive the next generation of automotive technology.
