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Head of Training and Further Education at the Bosch Blaichach site
Humming wild bees buzzing in the mountain meadows
softly creaking wooden floorboards on the way to the kitchen and a fantastic view of the Allgäu Alps
What might sound like a holiday to many people is part of Reiner’s everyday life; he runs a mountain hut in the Bavarian Alps with his wife
Reiner has worked at Bosch since his apprenticeship days — and still does today
Thanks to the flexible working time models at Bosch
Reiner has now been working at Bosch for over 40 years
It all began with his apprenticeship in Waiblingen near Stuttgart: “My father and my brother both worked at Bosch at that time and I knew I wanted to join them
So I started my training as a toolmaker and was then employed as a machine setter,” says Reiner
he repeatedly changed his area of responsibility from toolmaking
And he gradually took on more and more responsibility for managing personnel — until he went to Thailand for four years as department head: “After a test trip to get to know the country
I moved to Asia together with my family in 2011
The local project was a great opportunity for me personally
I had already been involved in the strategy process back in Germany
I helped establish a new plant and its entire infrastructure
My time abroad was a great experience for me
my wife became fluent in Thai and explored Ayurvedic cooking
She gained a lot personally from the experience — something she still benefits from today,” Reiner shares enthusiastically
Upon returning to Germany
Reiner spent three years working in Schwäbisch Gmünd
an opportunity came up to move to the Allgäu region in Bavaria
where he provided managerial support in special machinery construction
What’s great about the Blaichach/Immenstadt site near the Bavarian Alps
We have a highly motivated team here in a region where others go on holidays
I think we're all grateful to have the opportunity to live and work in the Allgäu,“ emphasises Reiner
each day brings fresh excitement with new topics
We have a super motivated team here in a region where others go on holidays
Reiner has remained loyal to Bosch since his apprenticeship in the 1980s — and has continued to develop in this time
both in technical expertise and leadership skills
In addition to the great teamwork with his colleagues
it was especially his passion for the topics and the meaningful work that ultimately kept him at Bosch
Immediately after being hired in the Allgäu region
he told his boss: “I will get to 40 years at Bosch.” This has always been a big milestone for Reiner: “I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to change
but I knew one thing: when I hit this milestone
I no longer had the drive to keep climbing the career ladder.” However
Reiner didn’t yet have a clear plan for what would come next
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From job sharing and part-time work to sabbaticals — Bosch offers various flexible working models
Bosch associates can choose from a wide range of options depending on their stage of life
So did Reiner: “As the milestone approached
I still wasn’t sure what my next step would be
Taking a sabbatical was meant to give me the time and space to reflect.” His plan was therefore to leave his familiar surroundings and travel with his wife in a minibus
Reiner had already organised the vehicle and was due to set off soon — but then everything turned out differently: “One day
my wife came across a lease offer for a hut
We love the mountains and had a shared dream of running a mountain hut one day
Suddenly the dream was within our grasp and my wife asked: 'Should we do it?’ Without hesitation
Although they were excited about the prospect of getting the hut
they were not very optimistic about their chances: “We actually firmly assumed that it wouldn't work out anyway
So we were all the more surprised when the owner of the hut called us and told us that we had been chosen
where we went over everything again and again
we finally made our decision,” Reiner recalls
That marked the beginning of their current life at the mountain hut
Reiner and his wife didn’t just want to run the hut
Before everyday life in the hut could begin
the couple started renovation work in spring 2022
“Instead of travelling around Europe by bus during the sabbatical
we used it to transport materials for the hut renovation
the first thing I took care of was electricity and water - because the hut has no access to the local grid for either
As it was already clear to me during the renovation that I wanted to stay with Bosch
I made sure that everything I needed was available — for example
a strong internet connection for remote working
my wife took care of the culinary concept and completely revamped the menu: instead of traditional hut food
we serve delicious dishes from Ayurvedic cuisine
overnight guests and groups who come to us for yoga courses and company workshops
I like to think of myself as the technical manager who takes care of everything else — from the fences around our site to our solar panels
I also like to take on the service and chat to guests or help out in the kitchen doing the dishes,” says Reiner
Instead of travelling around Europe by bus during the sabbatical
Return to the Bosch plant Reiner decided early on during his sabbatical to continue working at Bosch: “On the one hand
I stayed at Bosch because I’m passionate about the topics
running the hut and its responsibilities also made Reiner realise that he wanted to reduce his workload at Bosch: “I came back as a group leader instead of a department head
I also started working part-time to support my wife even more
I received a lot of support from my colleagues for making this intentional shift in focus.”
Another thing that has changed as a result of the move to the hut is Reiner's journey to work: “In winter
I put on my skis and ski down the mountain
My car is then waiting for me at the bottom
I park in the same spot again and walk back up the mountain on my touring skis — it clears my head on the way home
Reiner also stays active in summer and often uses his bike instead of skis to get to work
Professional change In mid-2024
Reiner moved into the HR department to take up the position as Head of Training and Further Education at the Blaichach site
But how does he manage to juggle his work at Bosch and the hut
I believe strong organisation skills are essential
I structure my day-to-day work around my colleagues - whether that’s my wife at the hut or my team at Bosch
when my wife picks up supplies on Thursdays
if a project with a colleague has to be completed on a particular day
but work a little longer than actually planned for that day
Prioritising correctly can always be a challenge
But I usually manage it well,” says Reiner
“And there's one final thing I'd like to emphasise: I also simply enjoy working at Bosch - even after more than 40 years
That's why I'm glad to still be part of Bosch after all this time.”
Drag slider Profile Reiner Steffan Head of Training and Further Education at the Bosch Blaichach site
Reiner Steffan started his training as a toolmaker at Bosch in Waiblingen near Stuttgart in 1982 after leaving school
he stayed in Waiblingen and started as a machine setter in three-shift operation
there were always new tasks and opportunities for further development
he worked in a management position for the first time
he moved to the central staff unit under the divisional director
which deals with the product development process and project management
and from then on he focussed more and more on strategy work
he was promoted to head of department and regularly travelled abroad as part of his projects — until he finally moved to Thailand for four years to support his colleagues there in setting up a new plant
he moved to the Bosch site in Immenstadt in the Allgäu region in Bavaria — initially as Head of Department for Engineering Automation Technology
and since 2024 as Head of Training and Further Education at the Blaichach site
he runs a hut in the Bavarian Alps with his wife
Because the world is too small for strangers
By Lee Khai Yan
With the launch of the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between Singapore and Germany
we can now once again travel overseas to enjoy the famed German beers and bratwurst — deliciously irresistible sausages!
There is so much to enjoy in this beautiful European country – its friendly people, architecture and wide
well-connected roads that make it so easy for drivers to plan their routes and explore the country’s sights and sounds
Take Germany’s capital for instance — the bustling city of Berlin is easy to get around
and takes you to some of the best tourist attractions
from the commanding Brandenburg Gate to the artistic swag of Friedrichshain.
the “Romantic Road” is an easy route to follow from central to south of Germany
it’s also perfect for a road trip with friends so you can take turns behind the wheel
Read on for some help on your route planning and find out where the best spots are for driving pit stops. While you plan your trip, be sure you get all the information you need to know about travelling to Germany under the VTL.
all locations in this article will require proof of vaccination for entry.
The Romantic Road traditionally starts in Würzburg and ends in Füssen
This means that if you do a one-way journey and not double back where you came from
it makes more sense to buy an open-jaw ticket
I flew into Frankfurt and departed from Munich to cut down on the driving time
Here’s the generic route I planned for the two-week trip:
Find out all that is behind the scenes in the Porsche world at Stuttgart
You can admire over 200 exhibits and close to 100 models at the Porsche museum
making it a popular tourist attraction among car enthusiasts here in Germany
After flying into Frankfurt, you might want to stay overnight at a nearby hotel for some rest before starting your drive. It’ll help if you’re not used to long-haul flights (the flight is about 13 hours long!) For the car fanatics out there, Stuttgart would be an interesting detour, if just to visit the Porsche Museum
The museum is about a two-hour drive from Frankfurt airport
and you will be able to view almost 100 cars and over 200 exhibits showcasing different models through the years.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 9:00am to 6:00pm
The Romantic Road begins at Würzburg — before you head down the route towards Füssen
After recharging from your long flight and digging into some delicious German Frankfurters
it’s now time to embark on the Romantic Road
this sightseeing route brings you through dramatic German scenery
with impressive mountains and quintessentially German medieval towns
The Romantic Road was conceptualised as part of marketing efforts to rebuild Germany’s tourism industry post World War 2
Its northernmost point (and common start point) would be Würzburg
and ends at Füssen – where the famous and very well-photographed Neuschwanstein castle can be found
There’s no better place to start your journey than at Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage site built in the 18th century
the Court Gardens with over 70,000 summer flowers would be the perfect spot for some photos
whereas access to the Court Gardens is free
Opening hours: April to October: Daily from 9:00am to 6:00pm; November to March: Daily from 10:00am to 4:30pm
Revel in the rustically romantic charm of Rothenburg town during your road trip — wind down the windows to enjoy the beauty
The beautiful Rothenburg is most likely Germany’s most iconic medieval town and a great second stop on your Romantic Road drive
This charming historic town is also the old Bavarian Imperial City and is one of the three towns in Germany that still has completely intact city walls
so food options may not be the most affordable
The Plönlein is a famous spot for both avid photographers and picture-savvy tourists
The most famous photo spot in Rothenburg has to be this spot shown above – Plönlein
The word translates to “small square at a fountain” — this would include the small fountain you see in front of the yellow house in the centre of the photo
as well as the two towers of the old city wall that rise to its left (higher up) and right (lower down)
It’s going to probably take you a while to get a nice
as this is a very popular spot for travellers
Be patient and you’ll get your much awaited click
Climb up the old city walls to explore Rothenburg in greater detail
Rothenburg ob der Tauber means “Red Castle above Tauber”
This means you can admire spectacular views of the surroundings
Visit Dinkelsbühl for a peaceful respite from busy Rothenburg
you can admire the intact city walls while you go on a sightseeing tour around
the next two towns to visit on the Romantic Road would be the other two German towns with intact city walls – Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen
They are somewhat similar to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Dinkelsbühl is a very well-preserved town from the late Middle Ages
and its many colourful historic half-timbered houses are set in beautiful angles for photos
Nördlingen is equally gorgeous with its spell-binding classic architecture
and has generally less tourists compared to Rothenburg
Pay a visit to one of the many pretty German castles
Next stop – Harburg, Bavaria. Factor in a visit to the Harburg Castle
an extensive 12th century mediaeval complex which is also one of the oldest castles in southern Germany
but definitely worth a visit to find out more about its long history
The castle is also located on a hill with stunning views of Harburg town.
Opening hours: Open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm
next to Augsburg’s Town Hall offers a commanding aura to both tourists and locals
Stop by the Town Hall of Augsburg, where you can explore their beautiful Altstadt (city centre). A wonderful lunch pitstop for the trip if you’re hungry already! To feed my rumbling tummy, I headed to Ratskeller Augsburg
This was a very memorable restaurant as it was an underground eatery with fantastic ambience
curved ceilings and impressive brick walls
which reminded me of taverns that you might see in shows set in medieval times
I opted for the Schnitzel and Käsespätzle (somewhat like mac and cheese)
And if you’re out here looking for juicy German sausages and wine
Opening hours: Monday to Thursdays – 11:00am to midnight
where he wrote his autobiographical manifesto
Its prison is where Adolf Hitler was jailed in 1924 — here
I would strongly recommend driving by the Lech weir (high drain)
a huge water canal that is part of Augsburg’s water management system
This drain looks like cascading white ‘rapids’ from a distance
where you can see the canals against the town in the background
The grey-washed brick facade of the Neuschwanstein Castle is a marvellous sight
especially if you love everything about German architecture
The view of Neuschwanstein castle from Marienbrücke is reminiscent of a fairytale
Füssen is the last town on the Romantic Road, and the closest town to where you can base yourself from, to travel to the famous Neuschwanstein castle
This castle was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria
who had many nicknames such as the “Mad King” and the “Fairytale King”
Among the many stories of this German Kingis his obsession with building the extravagant Neuschwanstein Castle
and the mysterious circumstances of his death which took place not long after he was declared insane
But he was probably most famous for the Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps
which inspired Walt Disney’s designs for Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty’s castles
The inside of the castle is well worth exploring
but take note that no photography is permitted
Tours are strictly guided and must be booked in advance
Be prepared to climb in order to get a good view of the castle
The most popular vantage spot would be from Marienbrücke (Bridge of Our Lady)
it is unfortunately closed for renovations at thistime of writing
Opening hours: April to 15 October: 9:00am to 6:00pm
16 October to March: 10:00am to 4:00pm Open daily except on 1 January
Scenic spots around south Germany are aplenty
The Alpsee Lake offers a peaceful breather if you’re tired during the road trip
I then explored other scenic spots in the south of Germany
I booked an Airbnb spot overlooking Alpsee Lake (Großer Alpsee) and spent hours by the lake just chilling out with the swans
you can head southwest to explore the famed Black Forest in Germany — from an exhilarating hike to a relaxing hike
you can spend a day or two right here in one of the quaint villages
The romantic Rhine Valley runs from the west to the south
so you can feast your eyes on picture-perfect sceneries of hills
rivers and forests as you make your way down and travel around
The Alpsee Bergwelt is a charming spot if you’re looking for some thrill during your road trip
the coaster ride offers breathtaking views of the mountain between Immenstadt and Oberstaufen
I was also recommended by my Airbnb host to check out Alpsee Bergwelt
a theme park of sorts with a variety of activities available such as their trademark coaster ride
as well as outdoor playgrounds and trampolines for children
You can take a chair lift (or hike) to the top
before taking an exhilarating coaster ride all the way down – definitely something to try for thrill-seekers
The chair lift with the coaster ride will cost you €13.50 (S$21) per adult
but you can opt for the coaster-only ride for €7.50 (S$12) per adult
Greenery welcomes you everywhere in Germany
Here at the mountain between Immenstadt and Oberstaufen
you’ll be greeted with the scents of fresh flora as you ride across
Opening hours: Operates only in the summer months of May to November. Opening hours differ month on month, refer to the latest schedule here
The waterfront view along Lake Constance is a postcard-perfect click
A more popular (also more touristy and therefore expensive) nearby spot to visit would be Lake Constance and the historic Lindau island
I had initially planned to stay a night here
I opted to stay near Alpsee Lake and drove over to explore Lindau in the day
The historic town of Lindau is connected with the mainland by a road bridge and is a good spot to have lunch by the waterfront
Be sure to look out for the landmark harbour entrance with its lighthouse and sculptures
Dokumentation Obersalzberg carries the historic chapters of Adolf Hitler
especially those that narrate how Nazi leaders spent time in the mountains of Berchtesgaden
This place is also somewhat notorious for being a town where Adolf Hitler spent his vacation time at his Eagle’s Nest retreat
Here, a must-visit would be Dokumentation Obersalzberg
a museum which describes the use of the mountainside retreat by Nazi leaders
Online reservation for tickets is required
There is also plenty to explore in the region
such as the majestic Lake Königssee located in the heart of the Berchtesgaden National Park
Opening hours: Open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm
I recommend planning a couple of days to chill out here in the city to explore its rich culture and history – and drink your way through while you’re at it
Though Germany’s famous Oktoberfest 2021 is cancelled
there are plenty of drinking options in its many German beer halls and beer gardens
There are also many more things you can do in Munich
from exploring the marvelous architecture of Marienplatz to visiting the BMW museum
There are plenty of car rental options at every German airport, and you can easily rent at one location and drop off the car at another. In Frankfurt Airport for example
there are 11 car rental services available
Do consider your own requirements and preferences when deciding on car types
as you will be spending a lot of time in the vehicle while driving from town to town exploring Germany
Car rentals start from about S$95 per day for automatic cars.
is possible with a Singapore driver’s licence
The Singapore driver’s licence is valid in Germany
so there is no need to get an International Driving Permit
One thing to note is that they drive on the right side of the road
so drive slowly and safely until you get used to this
Remember also that this means you should drive on the right and overtake on the left
The German Autobahn (Highway) is often said to have no speed limit – but this is not true for all sections on the Autobahn
So do keep a look out for the road signs indicating the speed limit
find cars driving at top speed on some stretches of the Autobahn
always look out for accommodation that provides free parking
One way to cut down on unnecessary costs would be to stay in places located outside the city/town
This gives you the flexibility of booking more affordable places in the fringes
and sometimes this comes with great views of the countryside
As different regions within Germany hold different coronavirus regulations
and these are often updated according to changing circumstances
do regularly check the website of the relevant federal state for the latest information when you’re visiting multiple cities in Germany
If you’re visiting in the winter months of December to February
This is so your Christmas market visiting can be much more comfortable
in case you have to walk on ground with melted snow
it is also important to note that the use of winter tires is mandatory when the roads are icy
You will also need to factor in more driving time between places
Another tip for those with longer hair – dry your hair completely before going out
we might be used to just leaving homes with our hair half-dry
But when I tried this in Germany in winter
For a start, you can plan your driving routes around the south of Germany if you prefer to stay away from the crowds. Or if you’re a city slicker, check out these top attractions to visit in Frankfurt
you’ll be greeted with mesmerising beauty wherever you go
Oh, and remember to stay connected while you explore Germany — here are some tips!
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Brillen zum Erleben einer virtuellen Realität
sondern auch die medizinische Forschung profitiert von der Technik – zum Beispiel bei der Behandlung von Patienten mit Phobien
VR-Brillen können auch bei der Bewältigung von Phobien helfen
Rund 30 Prozent der Besucher trauen sich nicht, einen Schritt zur Seite in den Abgrund zu machen, sagt Christian Bendlin. Seit März betreibt der IT-Berater in Immenstadt einen Virtual-Reality-Erlebnisraum
Seit im vergangenen Jahr neue und bezahlbare Virtual-Reality-Brillen auf den Markt gekommen sind
boomt das Spiel mit der virtuellen Realität
Und davon profitiert nicht nur die Entertainmentbranche
In Erlebnisräumen wie in Immenstadt müssen Spieler sich nur eine Brille aufsetzen
und schon sehen sie Filmaufnahmen oder animierte Bilder
Eigene Aktionen haben durch Sensoren an den Wänden Einfluss auf die Umgebung
Unterstützt wird dieser Effekt durch zwei Controller
Dann können sie sich zum Beispiel mit einem Seil an einem Klettersteig auf dem Mount Everest sichern
Noch ist die virtuelle Realität in der Unterhaltungsindustrie nur eine Nische
Bis Mai wurden laut Michael Guthe von der Uni Bayreuth etwa zwei Millionen Virtual-Reality-Headsets weltweit verkauft
"Der echte Boom wird aber sicher in den nächsten Jahren kommen
wenn die Technik noch etwas besser und vor allem der Preis niedriger wird"
Davon werden auch ganz andere Bereiche profitieren – etwa die Psychologie
Andreas Mühlberger von der Universität Regensburg forscht schon seit rund 20 Jahren zu Virtual Reality
Vor allem in der Angsttherapie sei die Technik effektiv
"Spinnen, Höhenangst, Flugangst: Es geht relativ gut
"Auch in der Simulation können Angstnetzwerke verändert und eine Phobie geheilt werden." Die Erfolgsquoten sind demnach genauso hoch wie bei einer Therapie in realer Umgebung
Auch in der Neurologie wird zu dem Thema geforscht
Schlaganfall-Patienten kann die Technik helfen
steuert das Gehirn auch in echt die Muskelpartien an
und kooperiert mit dem psychologischen Institut der Uni Würzburg
Dort arbeitet Lehrstuhlleiter Paul Pauli an einer Zulassung für den Einsatz von Virtual Reality an Patienten
Denn in den Arztpraxen sei die Technik noch nicht angekommen
In die Industrie hat die virtuelle Realität hingegen schon Einzug gehalten
BASF etwa plant seine Chemieanlagen seit 2000 mit Virtual Reality
Fehler könnten frühzeitig und nicht erst in der Montage erkannt werden
In Immenstadt arbeitet Bendlin gerade an einem virtuell begehbaren Windpark-Lageplan
Spielebetreiber wie Forscher gehen davon aus
"Die virtuelle Situation ist zwar nicht wirklich im Sinne eines Faktums
erklärt Philosoph Tobias Holischka von der Uni Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
dass Störeinflüsse von außen reduziert seien und Virtual Reality es den Spielern ermögliche
sich in der dargestellten Welt zu bewegen und damit zu interagieren
dass der Unterschied zwischen virtueller Welt und Alltagswelt verschwimme und sich Spieler in der virtuellen Realität verlieren könnten
Das hält er für überzogen: "Wenn der Magen knurrt oder die Blase drückt
Ihre Einstellungenen wurden erfolgreich gespeichert
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