Apprentices on Tour: Mexico
Apprentices of the DRÄXLMAIER Group can participate in the “Training worldwide” program. This gives them the opportunity to spend eight weeks at a company location outside the EU and get to know the work, the people and the local culture at first hand. Bastian and Jakob, both prospective mechatronics engineers, took advantage of this opportunity and now report on their experiences in San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
How did your trip to Mexico begin?
Bastian: Our start in Mexico was exciting: we had to change planes at two airports and it was particularly chaotic in Mexico City. In the end, however, we managed to catch all our flights and when we drove on the streets of Mexico for the first time, we couldn't stop being amazed by the landscape and architecture. After around 24 hours, we finally reached our hotel and fell straight into bed. We had a day off to get used to our new surroundings, then our Mexican working day began with a tour of the main site in San Luis Potosí. Finally, I got to know my department: production.
How was the work on site for you?
Bastian: In the first two weeks, I worked at the site in San Luis Potosí, where I learned how die casting machines work and how to work with them. In my third week, I visited the secondary site in Millennium Park, which is comparable to the special machine construction in building 45 in Vilsbiburg. I found it interesting that different voltages are used in Mexico than in Germany. The power grid is operated with 110 volts instead of 230 volts, as is usual here.
Jakob: I worked in special machine construction for a total of eight weeks. In the first week, I was given various tasks, such as the complete wiring and assembly of the electrical part of a system that was needed in production in San Luis Potosí. We also worked on programming exercises on a PLC. I was also allowed to take on some mechanical tasks and, for example, supported my Mexican colleagues in setting up a profile frame with special components.
What challenges did you face?
Bastian: At first, the work was really exhausting because of the heat there. Over time, however, I got used to the heat and dared to take on more responsibility at work and make decisions myself. The biggest challenge, however, was communication. With hand, foot and wild gestures it always worked out in the end, but the language barrier always presented me with a few small hurdles.
Jakob: The biggest challenge for me during the work was the complete assembly of a control cabinet. After all, the various components look completely different in America than I know them from Germany. It makes me proud that I ultimately mastered this challenge well.
What did you do in your free time?
Bastian: The best excursion we went on was definitely to Tamasopo, an area with lots of waterfalls. We spent a wonderful day in nature here. On the first weekend, our supervisor and trainer in Mexico also invited us to dinner together with some other work colleagues.
Jakob: Our friendly and helpful colleagues on site made it much easier for us to settle into everyday life abroad. We also had the opportunity to talk to some German employees who were staying in the same hotel. In addition to the Mexican food, a particular highlight of our trip was the visit to the Tamasopo waterfall, which is around three hours away from our hotel. At the weekends, we explored the city center with our colleagues and gained a deeper insight into everyday life in Mexico.
What are you taking with you from Mexico?
Bastian: My time in Mexico really challenged me: Both at work and in terms of leisure, culture and communication. Nevertheless, I would say that it was a wonderful experience.
Jakob: I would say that the trip was a valuable and interesting experience for me and I was able to learn a lot about the different ways of working at DRÄXLMAIER in Mexico.
