Hi! I'm Damla, originally from Istanbul, Turkey. I'm currently in my third semester of Print Media and Packaging Technologies at HdM. Before coming here, I studied Printing Technologies at Marmara University and gained industry experience through internships.

I spent my Erasmus Exchange semester at HdM and was so impressed by the facilities and hands-on learning opportunities that I knew I wanted to come back! I genuinely believe HdM is one of the best places in Europe to study printing technologies, especially when it comes to practical experience.

Definitely working as a student research assistant. It's given me the opportunity to contribute to research projects, explore new technologies, and gain valuable hands-on experience beyond my regular coursework.

How much practical experience one can actually get. Even with my previous industry experience, I was surprised by how much we get to experiment with different technologies ourselves and how many areas of printing and packaging the programme covers.

What I appreciate most is the opportunity to grow both academically and personally. Living and studying in a different country has made me more independent, introduced me to new perspectives, and encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone.

Hi! I'm Rabah, 19 years old, born and raised in Pakistan. Before moving to Germany, I spent the past three years living in Muscat, Oman. Now I'm excited to begin a new chapter of my life here in Stuttgart!

What attracted me to Print Media and Packaging Technologies was the combination of creativity and engineering. I've always had an interest in printing technologies, and I love how this programme brings together technical knowledge and creative thinking. For me, it's the best of both worlds!

I was absolutely mesmerised by Stuttgart's beautiful autumn! Coming from Muscat, where it's hot for most of the year, the colourful trees, pleasant weather, golden sunlight, and beautiful skies felt almost magical. I remember looking around and thinking, “I could see myself living here for the rest of my life!”

I'm looking forward to learning new things, getting more involved in my studies, and getting to know my classmates better. I also want to make lots of new friends and explore Stuttgart and everything the city has to offer!

Fortunately, I arrived just in time for Welcome Day, which made things much easier! Everyone was new, trying to settle in, and looking to make friends. That made approaching people feel very natural. I've found that making friends is a lot easier when you remember that everyone else is figuring things out too!

Learn as much German as you possibly can before arriving! It makes a huge difference in everyday life, whether you're navigating public transport, buying groceries, or simply communicating with people. The more German you know, the more opportunities open up for you. And don't be afraid to put yourself out there, meet new people, and make the most of your experience!

My name is Vanessa and I’m from South Africa, currently in my second semester of the Print Media Technologies and Packaging course. I chose this course because it combines creativity with technology and innovative thinking, and I’ve really enjoyed the practical learning experience so far.

I chose this program because it offers a strong combination of practical and technical learning. It is also taught entirely in English. As an international student, this has made it much easier to understand complex topics while studying in a new country.

One of my biggest highlights has been the practical lab sessions, where I’ve had the chance to work with printing equipment. Seeing theory applied in real projects has been especially rewarding.

I was surprised by how broad the field of print media really is. The course covers everything from packaging, designing and sustainability to color management and digital printing etc. It has shown me that the industry is much more innovative than I expected.

What I like most about studying in Germany is how organized everything is. There is a clear structure and routine, so it’s easy to stay on top of deadlines and plan ahead. I also enjoy the international environment and the opportunity to experience cultures while studying.

I'm Harsh Harikrishnan Asha, from India. I'm currently in my 3rd semester of B.Eng. Print Media and Packaging Technologies. It's been a good experience so far, both academically and personally.

I wanted a course that was practical and connected to something I could see in everyday life, and packaging and print are literally everywhere. HdM stood out because the course is very hands-on, not just theory in a classroom. Stuttgart also has a strong industry presence in this field, which made it feel like the right place to study.

Making friends from different countries has been a real highlight for me. The lab sessions, where we actually work with printing and packaging equipment, have also been a nice change from just sitting through lectures. Overall, it's been a good mix of learning and getting to know new people.

I didn't expect the course to be this hands-on — we spend a lot of time working with machines instead of just reading about them. Teamwork also plays a bigger role than I expected, since a lot of the lab work depends on coordinating well with classmates. Packaging technology turned out to be more technical and detailed than I thought before starting.

I like how practical the teaching style is here — you're expected to apply what you learn, not just memorize it. It's also made me a lot more independent, from managing my own schedule to handling everyday things on my own. The mix of people from different countries on campus makes it interesting too.

I grew up surrounded by a rich blend of cultures. My father is German, and my mother is Brazilian with Chinese roots. This multicultural environment taught me to appreciate different perspectives and traditions, and it ignited a curiosity in me that has driven much of my life.

My path took an unexpected turn when I found an apprenticeship at a screen-printing company after leaving school. I was hooked the first time I saw a screen-printing machine in action, with the smell of ink filling the air and the rhythmic noise of the press. I knew I wanted to understand these machines inside and out. For three years, I immersed myself in the world of screen printing, learning everything I could about the technology and techniques. However, I felt there was more to explore and learn.

This thirst for deeper knowledge led me to search for a program that could offer a more comprehensive education in printing technologies. That’s when I discovered a unique program in southern Germany that seemed tailor-made for me. It combined advanced studies in printing technology with an international, English-speaking environment. This program was the perfect fit. It not only covered all the essential topics needed to become an engineer but also reflected the global nature of the industry. Speaking English is quite common in this field, as many companies are internationally connected.

The international aspect of the program was the main reason I wanted to take part. I’ve always enjoyed connecting with people from different cultures, and this program offered a diverse mix of students from all over the world. The experience of learning and growing with such a diverse group has been invaluable. Every day brings new perspectives and ideas, making the learning environment incredibly dynamic and enriching.

Stuttgart is an amazing city, and I’m lucky to be studying here. It’s vibrant and full of life, and there’s always something new to discover. The city’s proximity to many technology companies makes it the perfect place for someone in my field. The Hochschule der Medien (HdM) is the best. The professors are experienced, and the equipment is state-of-the-art. We get the best possible education.

Moving to southern Germany has been an eye-opener in many ways. I’ve noticed regional differences even within the same country, which makes life here even more interesting. I am grateful for these experiences, which have helped me grow both personally and professionally.

I am certain that my multicultural upbringing has played a crucial role in shaping who I am today. It has taught me to be open-minded and adaptable—qualities that are essential in our ever-changing world. As I continue my journey, I’m excited about the future and the endless possibilities that lie ahead. The world of printing technology is vast and full of potential, and I’m eager to see where this path will take me.

Hey, I'm Lukas, and I'm currently in my third year as a PhD student here in our program. I'm developing a 100% bio-based adhesive that is used in the post-press section.

Before I started my PhD journey here, I studied Nanoscience at the University of Tübingen, where biology, physics and chemistry come together. The mix of these three natural sciences and the connection between them is what fascinates me the most. When one topic or phenomenon comes up in physics, you can often find it in chemistry or biology as well. Seeing how nature connects all of these sciences is something that still fascinates me every day.

Many people ask me why I decided to start my PhD at HdM Stuttgart. For me, it was mainly the research topic itself and the challenge of developing a 100% bio-based adhesive for the print and packaging industry. Another reason was the close connection to industry. And of course, Stuttgart is my hometown where I grew up. Working in an environment that feels like home is awesome.

The challenge of creating a completely new adhesive from such simple ingredients. The creativity of thinking about and designing new formulations. The freedom to decide by myself what the next steps are and which ingredients I want to test. And lastly, the people here. It doesn't matter if they are students, professors or staff members. Everyone works closely together.

Don't give up and learn from your mistakes. It isn't easy, but be patient, don't lose your focus and keep going. In the end, it will definitely be worth it!

Hi, my name is Antonia, and I am a 4th-year PhD student at HdM. My topic is functional high-viscosity inkjet printing, and I also conduct the digital printing labs in the PPT course.

I am originally a chemical engineer and polymer scientist. I have always found chemistry extremely fascinating, and during my bachelor's degree, I became particularly interested in polymers. Now, during my PhD, I am, among other things, researching the behaviour of polymers in inkjet printing.

I chose HdM specifically because, while I am part of a technical program, there are also always creative aspects involved in the projects. Additionally, I really like that I am actively part of the curriculum through the digital printing lab and am not solely doing research.

My advice for future candidates is to enjoy the time spent on your degree, since it goes by very fast, and to never shy away from an opportunity to do something new.

Small class sizes create a welcoming and supportive learning environment. No matter where you come from, it is easy to connect with others, and everyone is willing to help one another. The professors are always approachable and provide support whenever it is needed. They genuinely care about their students and work hard to make the university a place where you can enjoy learning and living.

The ability to try out new ideas at any time and turn creative concepts into reality is truly unique. Students are encouraged to experiment. innovate, and work on ambitious projects that many others would not even imagine or have the opportunity to pursue.

Even the most challenging tasks are possible to accomplish. You simply need to find the approach that works best for you. With the right mindset, persistence, and support, every challenge becomes an opportunity to learn and grow.

Never give up, no matter how difficult it gets! Stay determined. keep believing in yourself, and remember that persistence is often the key to overcoming even the greatest challenges.

l am currently pursuing my master's degree in Printing and Packaging technologies and thoroughly enjoying this fascinating and innovative industry.

My name is Aya El-Basyouni, and I am from Egypt. I completed a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering, specializing in Computers and Systems in 2016. After graduation, I started working in my field, but after a year, I knew my true passion lay elsewhere. I knew I had to find a new direction that would fulfill my creative and technical interests.

I pursued further education in graphics, graphic design, and filmmaking because I wanted a more fulfilling career. This led me to work in advertising for three years, where I discovered a profound interest in printing. In my role, I was regularly involved with packaging, magazines, and brochures, which gave me a deep understanding of the intricate world of colors and pre-press processes. This exposure fueled my passion to explore the printing industry in more depth.

I began my lectures in October 2021 and was immediately struck by the university’s cutting-edge technologies and supportive, collaborative environment. The professors were not only highly knowledgeable but also incredibly approachable, which was essential for my integration and learning experience. The atmosphere was so welcoming that any language barriers I initially anticipated quickly dissipated. My peers and professors were understanding and helpful, making integrating and learning easy.

My time in the PMT program has equipped me with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the print media industry. My experiences, including numerous industry excursions, have confirmed my belief in the high demand for skilled print engineers.

Living abroad, away from my family and home country, has presented its challenges, but the experience has been immensely rewarding. My advice to future students is straightforward: though the journey may be tough, the personal and professional growth you will achieve is transformative and entirely worth it. As I approach the completion of my academic journey, I am excited to embark on my professional career with an international company.

The journey from electrical engineering to print media has been a remarkable period of growth and enlightenment for me. The Print Media and Packaging Technologies course has not only broadened my horizons but also equipped me with the critical skills to excel in the industry. I eagerly anticipate what the future holds, and I am certain that my path in print media technology will be prosperous and fulfilling.

My overall experience at HdM was wonderful. I made many great memories. learned a lot, and enjoyed every step of my academic journey.

My favourite subjects were all of the advanced lab courses because they gave me valuable practical experience. My most memorable experience was the study trip to Italy organized by HdM.

The most important takeaway from my time at HaM was the value of practical learning. teamwork, and continuous self-improvement.

My advice is simple: don't miss any lectures! Attend classes regularly, stay engaged, and make the most of every learning opportunity.

My future plan is to continue growing in my professional career by upgrading my skills and taking on new challenges.

Moving from India to Germany for my bachelor's at HdM was a life-changing opportunity. Although arriving in a new country without Knowing anyone was challenging at first. I quickly felt at home. What I appreciated most about the PMT program was its small class size, which made it easy to build friendships, connect with professors, ask questions, and collaborate closely.

My favourite part of the course was definitely the practical side, especially the advanced labs. Rather than just learning theory, we actually worked in teams, using the available machines, equipment and devices to solve real problems and build products from start to finish.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was getting exposed to the entire print industry through company visits, excursions, trade fairs and especially my internship and bachelor's thesis, which gave me valuable experience and helped me understand how the industry works.

If I could give one piece of advice to current and future students, it would be to make the most of every opportunity given, especially attending the excursions organised.

Overall, studying at HdM has been a memorable journey that helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I'm excited to continue that journey by pursuing a master's degree to build on the knowledge and experience I gained during my bachelor's.

The most unique aspect of the PMT program is the people: the international network of fellow students, the passionate mentors and professors, and the supportive environment that truly encourages you to grow. It’s a hands-on program, and looking back, I would say that most of my classmates had a strong entrepreneurial mindset. Something that inspired and motivated me deeply. What I valued most were the collaborations between the university and the print industry. Although the pandemic made this more challenging at the start of my studies, the program team worked incredibly hard to make it as interactive and practice-oriented as possible.

During my PMT journey, I achieved several milestones, including winning the INTERGRAF Young Talent Award 2025, completing my bachelor's thesis with Tetra Pak, studying abroad in Mexico, receiving the German Print and Media Award 2023 as part of the "Student Group of the Year," earning a Canon Scholarship, and contributing to an award-winning campaign for Mademoiselle YéYé.

Beyond academics, PMT helped me build lasting relationships within the university and the print industry while supporting me in balancing my studies with my athletic career, culminating in becoming a World Champion in minigolf. During this time, I also founded my own business as a keynote speaker, helping organizations apply success principles from sports to business, and offering corporate minigolf team events.

The most valuable skills I gained through PMT include an open and curious mindset, adaptability, and the ability to collaborate effectively in international teams. I also developed strong initiative and entrepreneurial thinking, learned how to turn ideas into tangible projects, and strengthened my problem-solving skills through creativity and collaboration.

You will struggle at times, and you will make mistakes — and that’s okay. It’s not a weakness; it’s part of the learning process. Talk about your challenges — with fellow students, professors, supervisors, or even the free psychological counselling service by the "Studierendenwerk". It will help you overcome them faster and grow — both academically and personally.

After the PMT program, I recently graduated from the one-year Master’s in Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Lund University, Sweden, and co-founded a Minigolf E-Commerce Business. It might not be the most traditional path — but I believe we don’t study to follow one fixed route, we study to develop the skills that help us create our own path, and simultaneously, this path always leads me back to the print industry in one way or another.

My motivation in choosing the program: International environment, opportunity to take part in Printed industry-related exertions and availability are technical as well as creative courses. 

I am doing my Master in International Economics, Business and Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin. At the same time, I work part time in Media company Deutsche Welle more than a year already. Besides, currently I am writing my thesis at Bosch GmbH in Governmental Affairs department on the topic of Hydrogen Economy.

During my time in PMT I had an Internship at Bosch in Renningen, where I worked with screen printing ink for fuel cells and had a chance to be involved in the development of hydrogen technology, today I investigate on hydrogen from the side of politics and economics. My work in Media Industry at the German International Broadcaster differs a lot from my thesis topic, but keeps me connected with Media. Due to my bachelor in PMT I learned how to combine engineering, printing, business and media topics, which helps me today being capable of performing tasks in different fields.

I recommend PMT students before the internship semester to gain an experience while working as HIWI or working student in the field of printing. This way finding an internship would be easy. Besides, try to apply in many places and not be discouraged if the refusals come – just keep trying. Important is to do your internship in the field you like, and potentially would be happy to work in this field.

I think PMT curriculum definitely helps in working in printing industry, but it is also important to be proactive and explore the printing industry beyond the curriculum by taking part in printing industry events, competitions, working as a working student, ask questions, experiment and being initiative.

My name is Mohammad Zeeshan Mehmood. I was born in Brescia, Italy, but my family is originally from Pakistan. After graduating in the summer semester 2022, I started working for Meccanotecnica Group – Book Finishing Solutions. Meccanotecnica Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of automatic book-sewing machines and lines both for offset and digital printing for the industrial production of books.

Currently, I work as an after sales technical service engineer. What I find most captivating about my work is being able to gain international exposure by conversing with different customers in different languages when providing technical assistance. This is helping me expand both my sales and technical expertise in this niche field. Additionally, Meccanotecnica provides an opportunity for young students like me to learn the state-of-art technology that is being developed in the market.

My internship at Meccanotecnica was fundamental for me to find out about the company’s aim and objectives for the future. I learned a lot about the mechatronics involved in the machines when working in the production department. The colleagues with whom I worked with were very friendly and helpful, which helped contribute to a joyful and memorable learning experience.

I believe that the PMT curriculum provides you with a strong foundation of skills and knowhow which allows you to be a step ahead when working within the printing industry.

Try to find an internship in a field that you find most interesting. Once you have started working as an intern, try to ask as many questions as possible to your colleagues so that you can learn as much as possible.

Be happy. Work hard.