Alumni Interview – Max Hübner – Class of 2021

When LIS alum Max returned to speak with our Grade 11s, he didn’t just share his journey into Aerospace Engineering – he gave real, practical advice on how to thrive at LIS and beyond.
Unlike many of his university peers, time management wasn’t a struggle for Max – thanks to the habits he built during the IB. He credits sports not just for staying active but for helping him build connections that led to unexpected opportunities. He also passed down a key piece of advice from fellow LIS alum Peter Breuer: “IB is a marathon, not a sprint.”
His talk started a discussion on AI in university, where students learned that while AI and its limitations in engineering. It can be used, it must be cited, Max tells us – a skill LIS students are already familiar with. He also touched on phone habits, encouraging students to be mindful of how they use their time and to make smart choices.

When it comes to study techniques, Max emphasized active recall and shared tips and tricks to improve learning efficiency. He also revealed one of his best IB strategies: writing his Extended Essay over the summer between Grade 11 and 12 – giving him more time to focus on coursework in his final year.
Could you tell us a bit about your academic journey since leaving LIS and share what drew you to your chosen field?
I have been studying Aerospace Engineering for the past three and a half years, primarily in Delft, the Netherlands. Last year, I completed an internship in a nano-satellite provider startup in Turin, Italy, and I recently finished an exchange program at the University of Southampton in the UK.


Early Days at LIS

LIS Primary

European Youth Parliament

Grade 11 Cross Country GISST (2nd place)

Since my dream is to go to space, Aerospace Engineering felt like the perfect fit. It combines my passion for space exploration and my interest in solving complex challenges
Can you describe some challenges you faced during university and how your experience at LIS helped you to overcome them?
The biggest challenge has been managing the workload and maintaining high standards for assignments and projects. LIS prepared me well for this by maintaining an environment where we had to produce a significant amount of high-quality work early on, particularly through the demands of the IB program.
“To quote Peter Breuer – LIS Class of 2018 – The IB is a marathon not a sprint”
M. Hübner

Small Rocket Project on launch day

Certificates at ESA training facility

First Year Project Group at Uni

Introduciton to Space Law workshop in European Space Agency training facility in Belgium

Answering questions for experts from the European Space Agency

Lab in Turin

Lab in Turin

Attaching an airfoil in a wind tunnel
p
resenting the satellite connections at a team meeting

What were the biggest academic or personal challenges you encountered, and how did you navigate them?
One significant personal challenge was overcommitting to too many responsibilities. University presents countless opportunities and exciting projects, and I wanted to take part in all of them. At one point, I was a teaching assistant for two courses, responsible for organizing training sessions for over 150 beach volleyball players, leading the electronics and hardware team of a student satellite project, and keeping up with my studies. This was unsustainable, and I had to learn the importance of prioritizing and saying no when necessary.
How did you balance the rigorous academic demands of university with your personal life and extracurricular activities?
Effective time management was essential, particularly cutting out distractions and focusing on tasks that aligned with my goals. Equally important was making time to relax and socialize—university shouldn’t be all work. This was a lesson I learned somewhat late but one that made a significant difference.


Grass Volleyball Tournament
Group I trained at Uni

Graduation 2021

First Ever LIS TEDx Event

GISST Memories

Luke die Schule und Ich LIS Appearance

Grade 6 English

How did the IB curriculum and aspects of the IB learner profile prepare you for university?
The most valuable takeaway from the IB was learning how to handle pressure and become more efficient in completing tasks. The rigorous nature of the curriculum pushed me to develop these essential skills.
Were there any pivotal experiences during university or after that reshaped your career aspirations?
Since my dream is to go to space, Aerospace Engineering felt like the perfect fit. It combines my passion for space exploration and my interest in solving complex challenges.
One unexpected career path I’m exploring is academia. Being a teaching assistant and giving IB exam workshops was both fun and rewarding, sparking my interest in potentially becoming a teacher or professor.
How did the community and network at university enhance your goals, and how can LIS students begin building networks now?
Engaging with current and future professionals in the industry has given me valuable insights into what it takes to succeed. LIS students can start building their networks by participating in or creating their own projects and reaching out to as many people as possible for help, guidance, and advice.
What advice would you give current LIS students who aspire to attend your university, especially regarding preparation during high school?
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the material covered in math and physics, and thoroughly prepare for the entrance exam. Additionally, be prepared to work hard for long hours—it can be challenging at first but becomes manageable over time and is incredibly rewarding.
How did the culture at LIS prepare you for university and beyond?
LIS emphasized the importance of becoming an active part of a community and socializing for personal well-being. It was easy to get involved in various activities, including arts, sports, and public speaking, which has carried over into my university life.

Space themed social with the satellite team

Exchange friends in the UK

Flat dinner in the UK

Da Vinci Satellite (student team building a satellite) team

Can you share an experience where individualized support or extracurriculars at LIS had a lasting impact on your personal growth or career path?
My physics teacher, Mr. Dindorf, reviewed the syllabus for my university entrance exam, identified which topics were already covered, and provided additional material for the remaining subjects. Additionally, participating in GISST tournaments taught me how to handle pressure in non-academic settings.
Are you still in contact with your friends from LIS?
Yes! I’m fortunate to stay in touch with several LIS friends. I live with a close friend from LIS, and a few others have also moved to the Netherlands. My close friend group from my grade tries to meet up at least once a year, and we connect individually whenever possible. Thanks to GISST, I’m also in contact with people from other grades and see them when I can.