Dresden students gain insights at TSMC

30 students from Germany are doing an internship at the semiconductor manufacturer TSMC in Taiwan. The company plans to open a factory in Dresden in 2027 – and ensure that there are enough skilled workers.

Half a year in Taiwan, and in the semiconductor industry at that: For Weronika, that sounded like an “adventure of a lifetime.” That's what the chemistry student said in the spring when she began her stay together with fellow students from other departments at TU Dresden.

Now she is sitting relaxed with three other students in a café in the middle of Taichung, a city on the west coast of central Taiwan. Here is a training center run by the semiconductor manufacturer TSMC, which gave the Germans two months of instruction in chip production at the end of their six-month stay. The adventure is almost over, and Weronika has no regrets.

Everything top secret

During the week, the TSMC daily routine is strictly regulated. “The shuttle bus picks us up from the dormitory at 7:50 a.m. and takes us to the fab,” says Christian. Once at the factory, he still has time to eat breakfast until 9:00 a.m. After that, the aspiring industrial engineer and the others have to lock up their cell phones. Because everything that happens within the company's walls is top secret. The students had to sign a confidentiality agreement. ARD is not even allowed to visit the dormitory.

After all, Taiwan's semiconductor industry is something like the island's protective shield; China sees Taiwan's independence as a thorn in its side and is constantly making new threats against the country. But thanks to the chip industry, Taiwan is of global importance – in the event of a Chinese invasion, companies around the world would literally be left high and dry when it comes to semiconductors: including in China.

The students from Dresden are aware that TSMC wants to protect itself against any form of industrial espionage for this reason and respect that. Mechanical engineering student Lukas even thinks it's a good thing not to have his smartphone with him sometimes: “This gives us the opportunity to concentrate on work while we're at TSMC. We can focus and take more with us, learn more.”

Always under supervision

In general, there are some things that the 24-year-old likes better than many German internships. For example, each participant not only has a “buddy” of a similar age at their side, but also an instructor or another employee who can answer questions. This means that the knowledge that the students were taught at the university at the beginning of their stay in Taiwan can now be put into practice and they can get to know everyday life in the factory. If there are any communication problems, a translator is always available to help.

Ananya from India, who studies nanoelectronics in Dresden, also thinks that TSMC really makes every effort to impart as much knowledge as possible in a short space of time. “They also keep asking whether we have understood everything and immediately clarify any open questions.”

Different work culture

Both sides, including the Taiwanese, had seminars on the other country's culture before the program began. The students from Germany therefore knew that a different work culture awaited them in Taiwan. “There is much more hierarchy here,” Weronika noted. In Germany, people discuss things more and sometimes spend time outside of work with their direct superiors. The 25-year-old misses that a little in Taiwan.

That's why Weronika could imagine working for TSMC in Taiwan for a while after her studies – but moving to the island permanently? No, that wouldn't be for her, Taiwan is too far away from family and friends. Lukas feels the same way; his family is very important to him.

However, the factory in Dresden will probably not be finished by the time the students graduate, so everyone might end up in Taiwan first. TSMC has already expressed interest, as the semiconductor manufacturer itself urgently needs skilled workers if it wants to maintain its leading global position against the competition.

Open, helpful society

The young Germans are not only taking a lot with them professionally after six months in Taiwan. There are many things about the country that have impressed them personally. Above all, the friendly people: “If you're in a shop and the salesperson doesn't speak English, he'll just ask another customer for help,” says Christian enthusiastically, who, like everyone else, has acquired some basic Chinese for the exchange program. “I can already order a bubble tea in Chinese,” he says, laughing.

Everyone also thinks it's great how clean the island is, even though everything is wrapped in plastic and there are almost no public trash cans. Christian also thinks that people are treated with more respect and appreciation; Germany could learn a lot from that, he says, and everyone nods in agreement.

Incidentally, Ananya also smiles broadly when she talks about the many jealous friends who are constantly sending messages and want to know: “So, what are you doing at TSMC, what are you learning?” But of course she is not allowed to reveal that, more than an overview is not possible. “They have to go to Taiwan themselves.”