From 22 to 26 June 2026, AKI organized the annual Excursion Week for the participants of the Internship Programme with Ukraine. This year, 23 interns currently completing six-month internships on agricultural farms across Germany took part.

The first programme activities began on the very first afternoon. At the University of Hohenheim, the interns first visited the Institute of Agricultural Engineering in the Tropics and Subtropics, where current research projects were presented. Afterwards, the group visited the University of Hohenheim Meiereihof, which is home to the experimental station for dairy cattle farming.

On Tuesday, the group visited SoLaWi Weinfrequenz at Max-Eyth Lake in Stuttgart. There, the concept of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) was presented and explained in a practical and accessible way. The interns also had the opportunity to visit the vineyard and learn more about sustainable cultivation methods.

Despite the exceptionally high temperatures throughout the week, a cultural programme took place in the afternoon. A smaller group visited the Blühendes Barock gardens and Ludwigsburg Residential Palace. Due to the heatwave, with temperatures reaching almost 40°C, participation was voluntary. Those who wished could instead spend the afternoon, for example, at an outdoor swimming pool.

On Wednesday, the excursion continued with a visit to Reyerhof in Stuttgart-Möhringen. There, the interns gained interesting insights into the farm and the Community Supported Agriculture initiative in Stuttgart. The homemade organic ice cream from the farm’s own ice cream parlour was particularly popular. Afterwards, the group visited Wilhelma Zoo and Botanical Garden.

Another highlight awaited the group on Thursday with a guided factory tour at Kärcher in Winnenden, where the interns gained fascinating insights into the corporate culture and production of an internationally operating family-owned company. In the afternoon, a smaller group visited Esslingen Castle and took a walk through the historic old town.

The excursion week concluded on Friday with a visit to the Mercedes-Benz Museum.

In addition to gaining a wide range of impressions and experiences, the excursion week also gave the interns the opportunity to meet again, exchange experiences, and share memorable moments together. For the AKI team, the week also provided a valuable opportunity to review the interns’ training record books and to maintain personal contact with the participants.

Our sincere thanks go to all the partners who made this excursion week possible and supported it with great commitment. We would especially like to thank the Institute of Agricultural Engineering in the Tropics and Subtropics, the University of Hohenheim Dairy Farm Meiereihof, Reyerhof, SoLaWi Weinfrequenz, and Kärcher for the informative tours, the open exchange, and their warm hospitality.

We wish all interns continued success and an enjoyable, educational, and rewarding stay in Germany, as well as every success in the remainder of their internship.