{"id":62621,"date":"2024-11-05T10:50:56","date_gmt":"2024-11-05T10:50:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/?post_type=reports&p=62621"},"modified":"2024-11-05T11:52:39","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T11:52:39","slug":"marshall-plan-stay-chapel-hill","status":"publish","type":"reports","link":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/erfahrungsberichte\/marshall-plan-stay-chapel-hill\/","title":{"rendered":"Marshall Plan Stay @Chapel Hill"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
How did you find your internship position? How did you apply for it? How did you prepare for your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I searched for universities with a good reputation for public health research, laboratory facilities and projects involving wastewater, technologies for development, ecotoxicology. I looked up different professors in the department and wrote them that I’m looking for a project. One of them responded, we settled on a project topic and I prepared a MPS project proposal with his input.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What practical precautions did you take before the exchange?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Visa took a long time and was uncertain for a while so I was not sure even in January\/February if it would work out, because of the long processing time at the target university to get the DS-2019. As soon as I got it, I applied for the Visa at the consulate here and I could ask for a speedier interview date because the project was supposed to start sooner than the original interview date. In the end I started the MPS stay only 1 month later than originally planned but it was honestly quite stressful and uncertain at every step. So ask the university about the DS-2019 as soon as possible! Also don’t expect the international office to know anything. You have to piece it all together yourself, and ask for the forms.
Housing was found mainly through the team there and through what they recommended me works locally (Facebook marketplace).
Insurance was a bit difficult too, because there was no \u201cErfahrungen\u201d with the insurance agencies that I could read through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kind of financial arrangements did you have to make?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Travel health insurance (about 300 euros). Local health insurance (about 600 dollars) was paid by the lab. Rent per month for a room in a shared house about 600 dollars. Fresh food was relatively expensive, but I figured out the local supermarkets and the farmer’s market so on a vegetarian diet it was fairly manageable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How were you greeted, trained and welcomed by the company?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

There was no specific welcome event. The first week I arrived was fairly unstructured and they told me of a field trip that I could attend if I wanted (I did), showed me around the labs, told me the lab safety courses I should attend. I was introduced to the team and told of the events that were going on in the near future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please describe your accommodation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I stayed in 3 different locations. Renting is relatively expensive. The first location was a little cut off because of a highway and did not have a bike yet. The next places I stayed at were fairly central. I found them through asking my team and then anyone I got to know from other contexts about how they would go about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the country, the culture and the leisure activities you experienced during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I am an avid biker, so I immediately tried to find people who had similar interests and this is how I developed a little bit of a community during my stay there. If I didn’t have this, it would have been a rather lonely stay. I took every chance to explore the beautiful landscape with bike or through car trips. In short, I would say find a vector for community \u2013 mine was interest in bikes.
Also the farmer’s marked would host the weekly vegetable market but also all kinds of events outside of that. Especially in June there was a lot of Pride events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the internship?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The infrastructure and support were there, but I needed to ask for it. This stay demanded independence and a way to verbalize what it is that’s needed for the next step. Nothing was offered fully formed on a plate, it was more like puzzle pieces that I had to put together and sometimes would discover maybe a little later that it could have been.
Through the process of iteration, figuring it out in a small team I got to the conclusion that we need assistance from the analytical chemistry department that the public health department couldn’t provide. I put this forward in consultation with the team and we made it like this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My master thesis concerns method development for the analysis of cortisol in wastewater samples using UHPLC-MS\/MS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How have your values and attitudes changed during your time abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I’m not sure about changes, but definitely evolutions of values and attitudes as they come in contact with different contexts. I think some of my opinions were refined, others deepened. I really wanted this research stay for the personally fulfilling experience and also that I could use it to get to know what method development really is and what public health research really is and then to apply it to my future career path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back, what was the biggest challenge in preparing for or during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

It was challenging not to be discouraged in the application procedure because getting the DS-2019 took so much time. Figuring out health insurance was unpleasant. Other challenges were more pleasant, more like overcoming smaller obstacles or reorienting when faced with new information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was your most positive experience during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

That I’m quite good at practical decision making and reorientation. That I like solving challenges when we are working in a good team that’s supportive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"template":"","report-year":[2316],"report-country":[2071],"report-course":[2286],"ppma_author":[2516],"class_list":["post-62621","reports","type-reports","status-publish","hentry","report-year-2023-24","report-country-usa","report-course-msc-umweltmanagement-und-okotoxikologie"],"acf":{"ignore_cache":false,"extra_search_terms":false,"exclude_from_search":true,"override_header":{"ID":41381,"post_author":"9","post_date":"2023-05-16 09:41:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-16 09:41:57","post_content":"","post_title":"Header GLOBETROTTER","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"header-globetrotter","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-08-22 13:28:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-08-22 13:28:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/?post_type=headers&p=41381","menu_order":0,"post_type":"headers","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","acf":{"logo":false,"custom_home_link":"","logo_burger":false,"main_menu":{"ID":41379,"post_author":"9","post_date":"2023-05-16 09:41:35","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-16 09:41:35","post_content":"","post_title":"Men\u00fc Globetrotter","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"menu-globetrotter","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-08-22 13:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-08-22 13:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/?post_type=menus&p=41379","menu_order":0,"post_type":"menus","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","acf":{"title":"","links":[{"navigation_label":"Alle Erfahrungsberichte","css_classes":"","link":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/globetrotter\/","anchor":"","external_link":"","sub_links_first":false,"teaser":false,"sublink_sections":false},{"navigation_label":"-> FHTW International","css_classes":"","link":"","anchor":"","external_link":{"title":"FHTW International","url":"https:\/\/www.technikum-wien.at\/international","target":"_blank"},"sub_links_first":false,"teaser":false,"sublink_sections":false}]}},"hide_search":false}},"override_footer":{"ID":41385,"post_author":"9","post_date":"2023-05-16 09:43:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-16 09:43:53","post_content":"","post_title":"Footer GLOBETROTTER","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"footer-globetrotter","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-16 09:43:53","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-16 09:43:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/?post_type=footers&p=41385","menu_order":0,"post_type":"footers","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","acf":{"quicklinks_1":false,"quicklinks_2":false,"social_menu":false,"legal_menu":false,"hide_languages":true,"hide_newsletter":true}},"overview_image":{"ID":62625,"id":62625,"title":"PXL_20240703_164936529","filename":"PXL_20240703_164936529-scaled.jpg","filesize":649418,"url":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20241105105008\/PXL_20240703_164936529-scaled.jpg","link":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/erfahrungsberichte\/marshall-plan-stay-chapel-hill\/pxl_20240703_164936529\/","alt":"Ein Labor mit einer schwarzen Werkbank, auf der sich Pipetten, Tip-Boxen, Handschuhe und verschiedene Laborger\u00e4te befinden; im Hintergrund stehen Regale und Tische mit Zubeh\u00f6r und Instrumenten, gro\u00dfe Fenster und ein Stuhl.","author":"130","description":"","caption":"","name":"pxl_20240703_164936529","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":62621,"date":"2024-11-05 10:50:06","modified":"2024-11-05 10:50:06","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"http:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":2560,"height":1928,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20241105105008\/PXL_20240703_164936529-scaled.jpg","thumbnail-width":128,"thumbnail-height":96,"medium":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20241105105008\/PXL_20240703_164936529-scaled.jpg","medium-width":2560,"medium-height":1928,"medium_large":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20241105105008\/PXL_20240703_164936529-scaled.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":578,"large":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20241105105008\/PXL_20240703_164936529-scaled.jpg","large-width":2560,"large-height":1928,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20241105105008\/PXL_20240703_164936529-scaled.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1157,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20241105105008\/PXL_20240703_164936529-scaled.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1542,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20241105105008\/PXL_20240703_164936529-scaled.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":226,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20241105105008\/PXL_20240703_164936529-scaled.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":301,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20241105105008\/PXL_20240703_164936529-scaled.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":452}},"image_left":false,"person_image":false,"first_name":"Elena","last_name":"","intro_text":"Marshall Plan Scholarship ","quote":"","show_quote_on_overview":false,"type_of_stay":{"value":"internship","label":"Praktikum"},"university_company":"University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill","city":"Chapel Hill","semester":{"value":"summer","label":"Sommersemester"},"year":"2023\/2024","language":"en","additional_reports_title":"","additional_reports":[{"ID":53737,"post_author":"15","post_date":"2024-02-02 13:42:41","post_date_gmt":"2024-02-02 13:42:41","post_content":"\n

\n
\n
How did you find your internship position? How did you apply for it? How did you prepare for your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

To find my internship position I browsed the internet in search for research groups in my field of interest. I also investigated if said groups were open to having interns or students before applying. Then I reached out via email explaining my agenda and asking for an opportunity to work with them. They responded fairly promptly and gave me the opportunity to interview for the position before I was officially offered. In the meantime, I had applied for the Marshall plan scholarship in hopes to be able to sponsor my stay abroad. I waited for a positive response before taking up the internship offer in the US and started looking into available accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I applied for the J1-Intern Visa for the US in order to be legally allowed to partake in the program. The host institution made the necessary arrangements which involved the receipt of visa related documents and consular visits. The entire process takes anywhere from weeks to a few months, In my case, it took longer than expected and therefore my start date was pushed back by a couple of weeks. I also secured accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kind of financial arrangements did you have to take care of?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Applying for the Marshall plan scholarship was the first step towards ensuring financial sovereignty in an expensive city like Boston. However, the scholarship funds were not nearly sufficient to cover the costs of living and travel expenses, therefore I incurred some additional support from my family who were generous enough to help.
Financial statements upwards of $22,000 had to be provided before the Visa itself was issued. This amount might vary depending on the state the internship is taking place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How were you greeted, trained and welcomed by the company?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

At the Beth Israel Deconess Medical Center (BIDMC), I partook in the onboarding program for new recruits which brought me up to date with the processes and the culture at the hospital and research facility. There were automated training videos about general lab safety requirements but no further trainings were conducted. The Harvard Immigration department also required some registrations and signatures and field reports during the beginning and end point of the internship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please describe your accommodation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I was accommodated by a lovely family (mother and son) who have been running shared houses for some time. I rented a room in the house and had 2 other housemates. The accommodation provided all that I needed and they were very welcoming and respectful. It was difficult finding an affordable accommodation in close proximity to the hospital therefore, I needed to commute for longer. All utilities were included in the rent, as a bonus we also had free food. Overall, I had a good experience and would recommend a shared family house. The rent was about $1,200.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the country, culture and leisure activities you experienced during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

It is a cultural shock coming from Europe. The US has a very vast landscape and everything is simply \u2018bigger'. Boston is a lovely city, it has an amazing culture of sports, concerts, hikes and many more. It is home to some of the most renowned universities, institutions, and hospitals thereby housing students and professionals from all works of life. Apart from occasional extreme weather conditions, Boston is a city to continuously explore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the internship?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I had an eye-opening experience during my internship. I interacted with professionals from different disciplines that inspired my vision and growth. The Orthopedic surgery department was an interesting blend of surgeons, mechanical engineers, biomaterial scientists, veterinarians and many more coming together to solve issues in the musculoskeletal field.
It was a great avenue to improve my technical knowledge and skills within the field of Biomedical research. There were numerous networking opportunities, as well as trainings and conferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What new skills and qualities have you acquired?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

An array of molecular biology handling techniques, as well as planning and execution of experiments are some of the major skills I acquired during the internship. I was able to set up preliminary protocols and procedures for the benefit of the entire team. I also developed people skills while engaging in different tasks. This included a better understanding of different work cultures and perspectives. I was also able to network and make friends which encouraged my individual growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How have your values and attitudes changed during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I was in an environment where I was given autonomy over my project which allowed me to work very independently. I now understand both perspectives of direct supervision versus Laissez-faire supervision which has helped me to understand myself better and in which environment I thrive the best in.
I am also more incline to taking things both personal and professional, one step at a time. Quality results in a longer period is more valuable and holds more truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back, what was the greatest challenge in preparing for or during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

There were a few challenges that presented themselves during my experience. However, the biggest challenge was the fear of not being able to complete my project in the allocated time. Due to logistics of the group that I worked with and the fact that they were establishing a new work area, a lot of the materials needed for the project to begin were not available. There was limited access to certain machinery and supervision which prolonged the starting period of the project. Therefore, this constant fear of not having nearly enough time or not achieving the goals of my project weighed on my mind.
In regards to preparation for the experience, finances were the biggest point of concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was your most positive experience during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I was grateful for the opportunity to have my voice heard in a prestigious scientific community. Working alongside some world-renowned scientists and brilliant engineers is an experience that cannot be bought. I was grateful to have been welcomed in spite of my own flaws and limited experience. I also believe I got to make some life-long friends.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","post_title":"Grace's internship in Boston","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"graces-internship-in-boston","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-19 12:19:24","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-19 12:19:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/?post_type=reports&p=53737","menu_order":0,"post_type":"reports","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","countries":[{"term_id":2071,"name":"USA","slug":"usa","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2071,"taxonomy":"report-country","description":"","parent":0,"count":21,"filter":"raw"}],"courses":[{"term_id":2296,"name":"MSc Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine","slug":"msc-tissue-engineering-and-regenerative-medicine","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2296,"taxonomy":"report-course","description":"","parent":0,"count":12,"filter":"raw"}],"acf":{"ignore_cache":false,"extra_search_terms":false,"exclude_from_search":true,"override_header":{"ID":44366,"post_author":"9","post_date":"2023-07-17 09:52:01","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-17 09:52:01","post_content":"","post_title":"Header GLOBETROTTER","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"header-globetrotter-2","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-19 08:38:31","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-19 08:38:31","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/?post_type=headers&p=44366","menu_order":0,"post_type":"headers","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},"override_footer":{"ID":41385,"post_author":"9","post_date":"2023-05-16 09:43:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-16 09:43:53","post_content":"","post_title":"Footer GLOBETROTTER","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"footer-globetrotter","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-16 09:43:53","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-16 09:43:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/?post_type=footers&p=41385","menu_order":0,"post_type":"footers","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},"overview_image":{"ID":53738,"id":53738,"title":"Picture7","filename":"Picture7.png","filesize":1173135,"url":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20240202134227\/Picture7.png","link":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/erfahrungsberichte\/graces-internship-in-boston\/picture7\/","alt":"Drei Frauen l\u00e4cheln und posieren f\u00fcr ein Selfie in einem sonnigen Park. 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\n
\n
How did you find your internship position? How did you apply for it? How did you prepare for your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Initially, you should search for a suitable city and university in the US where you plan to conduct your research. Then, seek out professors who have conducted research similar to your intended project and reach out to them via email. It is recommended to contact at least 10 professors, as some may not respond to your initial email. If necessary, you can also try calling them and leaving a message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What practical arrangements have you made before the exchange?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Once you have found a suitable professor, you should request an invitation letter from them. The professor will then contact the international office of the host university, who will send you a DS-2019 form via post from the US after you have paid the necessary admission fees. You will also need to pay for your SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee. Once you have received your DS-2019 form, you can then apply for your visa online. As for your health insurance, I would recommend the International Student Insurance program offered by https:\/\/www.isoa.org\/<\/a>. It is more convenient and affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How high were the living costs?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Rent in a dorm in a 4 square meter room: 1500$\/mo<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food: 800$ \/mo<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/div>\n\n\n\n
How would you describe the internship?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Columbia University has excellent research facilities that provide state-of-the-art resources for scholars. The university boasts extensive laboratory space, research centers, and libraries, with cutting-edge equipment and technology. Columbia's research infrastructure supports a wide range of fields, from natural sciences to social sciences and humanities. Additionally, the university's expert faculty and staff provide guidance and support to scholars throughout their research endeavors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What new skills and qualities have you acquired?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Cultural awareness<\/strong>: Studying abroad can expose individuals to diverse cultures, customs, and languages, which can foster cultural sensitivity and understanding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adaptability<\/strong>: Living and studying in a new environment can require individuals to be flexible, adaptable, and able to navigate unfamiliar situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independence<\/strong>: Studying abroad often involves living independently, managing finances, and navigating day-to-day life in a new place, which can foster independence and self-reliance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Language proficiency<\/strong>: Studying abroad in a foreign language can help individuals improve their language proficiency and communication skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global perspective<\/strong>: Studying abroad can provide a broader global perspective on issues and topics, and can also offer networking opportunities with people from different backgrounds and cultures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was your most positive experience during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Meeting great friends, learning new skills, and being at one of the top 10 universities in the world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","post_title":"Pouria, traineeship in NY","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pouria-mtm-us","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-10-18 12:45:36","post_modified_gmt":"2023-10-18 12:45:36","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/?post_type=reports&p=46331","menu_order":0,"post_type":"reports","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":45220,"post_author":"10","post_date":"2023-08-07 10:28:25","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-07 10:28:25","post_content":"\n
\n
\n

How did you find your internship position? How did you apply for it? How did you prepare for your stay abroad?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I first heard of the Marshall Plan Scholarship trough the UAS Technikum Wien, and therefore decided to take a closer look into research institutions in the USA in the field of my interest. This way I came across the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab which is connected to the Northwestern University in Chicago. I applied directly at the head of the research group with a motivational letter and my CV. As a recommendation for future visiting scholars, I would be specific about what research you are interested in and in what projects you could imagine participating in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What practical arrangements have you made before the exchange?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before my stay in Chicago, I had to apply for the J1-visa. The whole process can take a while, which is why I would recommend applying for the visa, as soon as you get accepted. Most of the necessary documents should be provided by the host institution. Depending on the internship or job, the host institution might require different insurances as well as vaccination requirements. I looked for different accommodations via common websites for this area as well as facebook groups and came across a co-living space that offered rooms for a short-term lease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kind of financial arrangements did you have to take care of?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I was financially supported by the Marshall Plan Scholarship Foundation. However, this was not enough to cover my entire stay, which is way I had to finance the rest personally. Chicago has very high rental prices ($1000 for a room with shared kitchen and bathroom), especially compared to Austria. Further, general living costs can be quite expensive as well, which is why a reasonable budget should be considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How were you greeted, trained and welcomed by the company?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I was welcomed very nicely at the lab. I had a few orientation days in the beginning, where I got to know all colleagues as well as projects they are working on. This made my arrival very easy. Additionally, it was very helpful to have a contact person, also prior to my stay, who helped me with all my concerns and questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please describe your accomodation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As described above, I lived in a co-living space where I had my own room. I shared a bathroom with one other girl and a kitchen with 5 other housemates. My room and the kitchen were fully equipped, which was really helpful so I didn't have to buy any utilities for my short stay of 5 months. The house was located in a nice student area, just a bit north of downtown Chicago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the country, culture and leisure activites you experienced during your stay abroad?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chicago is a very diverse and international city, which is why it was made very easy for me to arrive and settle in. If you yourself are an outgoing personality, it is easy to meet open-minded people and make new friend. Nevertheless, the city can also feel a bit overwhelming with all the skyscrapers and lots of people. But this also means that it has a lot to offer in terms of leisure activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the internship?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Regenstein Center of Bionic Medicine (CBM), as part of the Shirley Ryan ability lab, focuses on research for groundbreaking upper and lower limb prosthetic solutions. A diverse group of people from a variety of backgrounds, including engineers, therapists and prosthetists work closely in a team to achieve the greatest developments. Due to the direct connection to the hospital, the research can be applied immediately and testes with the user, which allows to evaluate and examine research results and developments in a minimum time frame. I wrote my master thesis during my stay there, in the field of powered prosthetics. I had an entire project team with whom I worked closely together to achieve my goals. Regardless of this, I was continuously given the chance to ask the whole team for help or support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What new skills and qualities have you acquired?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I had a lot of fun and gained unique experiences. I was also challenged, and sometimes it can be exhausting. Especially in research, not everything always goes according to plan. However, with lot of flexibility and endurance, everything worked out in the end. This way I learned a lot of skills regarding working with colleagues and in a performance-driven environment.enthalten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How have your values and attitudes changed during your stay abroad?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During my stay, I especially appreciated the help of colleagues, and I would like to pass this on to others in the future. I have learned a lot in interacting with colleagues and in the working environment, which will certainly help me in my future career to quickly integrate into teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back, what was the greatest challenge in preparing for or during your stay abroad?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I think the greatest challenge was the application for the scholarship, as it required detailed information about my project at a time when only rough topics<\/p>\n\n\n\n

had been determined. Other than that, I encountered small challenges every now and then, but with the right attitude and help from other people, they are easy to overcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was your most positive experience during your stay abroad?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Looking back, I am very grateful that I was given the chance to participate in this program. This has enabled me not only to gain intensive insights into current research but also to actively participate in it. In addition, I am very grateful for all the unique and inspiring people I met during my stay in Chicago.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","post_title":"Paula - MGR - Shirley Ryan AbilityLab","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"paula-mgr-shirley-ryan-abilitylab","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-10-19 10:57:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-10-19 10:57:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/?post_type=reports&p=45220","menu_order":0,"post_type":"reports","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":46349,"post_author":"130","post_date":"2023-09-07 08:37:55","post_date_gmt":"2023-09-07 08:37:55","post_content":"\n

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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did you find your internship position? How did you apply for it? How did you prepare for your stay abroad? <\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I found my internship position by contacting different professors on the university websites. I looked through the departments I was interested in and their description and field of interest. I wrote several emails to different professors in different universities. I did not get as many responses as I expected, but the professor from the University of Michigan was open to the project and we set up a meeting to talk about the next steps. As soon as the professor confirmed my stay, the university took over my application at their university, I had to take care of my VISA, but that is a later question. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My recommendation for future interns is to start early with the VISA and in my case the Marshall Plan process. Sometimes you cannot speed up the process or foresee unfortunate events (my DS-2019 was once lost in transit from the US to Austria), so make sure you complete each step as soon as possible. Be sure to keep an open mind in the new country, learn about the culture, and try to fit in. In my opinion, it is important to have some friends to travel with or just hang out with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gathering information can be difficult, luckily my university was well prepared, and I always had contacts who could help me or a well-designed website where you could inform yourself. For the VISA process it can get tricky because you have to sort out a lot of things on your own, but with the internet it is definitely doable. The International Center will also give you some information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What practical arrangements have you made before the exchange?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Arrangement before leaving for the USA is and in my case was definitely a key, especially at the beginning. The US is very strict with their VISA requirements, so it is important to have everything with you, printed and ready to show. The University of Michigan had its own health insurance plan so I did not have to worry about that. The liability insurance was recommended by the FH Technikum and was quite cheap (150\u20ac, half a year). Besides the VISA, housing is probably the most important thing to take care of before the exchange. It is definitely possible to find something when you arrive, but it is stressful. Make sure you do not get scammed and try to be close to the campus or downtown. Ann Arbor is a smaller city compared to other US cities, so I was pretty lucky to live close to downtown and the campus. Mobility can also be good to know beforehand, I checked out bikes beforehand but ended up buying one after a few weeks (it depends where you live, but in my case the bike was essential for me).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kind of financial arrangements did you have to take care of?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The Marshall Plan Foundation has given me a certain amount of money, which also scales with the exchange time. Everything else I paid with my own money. The cost of living in the USA is quite expensive, especially housing. After the stay I can estimate a monthly living cost of about $2000, which includes everything from food, utilities, rent and leisure activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How were you greeted, trained and welcomed by the company?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The University of Michigan welcomed me with open arms and helped me settle in. My faculty threw an orientation party and I got to know each of them. The faculty provided me with a lot of information; looking back, I cannot remember any information that I really missed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please describe your accommodation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

My room was part of a shared house, I was subletting the room of another international student who left earlier, and luckily I had the optimal time from March to August. The house had 3 floors where the first floor was the kitchen and living room, the second floor was where my roommate lived, and the third floor was my landlord's apartment. My room was pretty standard for Ann Arbor, but it had all the necessities (bed, table drawer). The house in general was a bit old, but especially for the six months I was there, it was fine. The location was pretty good and close to downtown, especially by bike after the last few winter weeks in March. The price for my room was $680 without utilities, total about $750-800.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the country, culture and leisure activities you experienced during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Ann Arbor is a great place to live. The standard of living is quite high and you could definitely notice that after traveling to other cities in the US. I only met friendly people and I always felt safe (at least as a man, I do not know about women), even at night. I met a lot of graduate students and in general the work culture is very competitive and challenging. Many people work long hours and the research that is done at the university is something I had never experienced before. As mentioned before, I really tried to experience the USA to the fullest. I pretty much explored the whole city by bike and went to every park. I tried to go to events at the university as well as local events in the city. It was very interesting to see a different culture than the one I already knew from Europe (Italy, Austria). I also went out and partied on the weekends, which was also a unique experience and very different from the parties in Europe. I played a lot of basketball, which is very popular in my area and in the US in general. I made some great friends along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the internship?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

My internship has been a unique experience, it can be a bit intimidating at first and sometimes I was not really sure if everything was going to work out, but that is life I guess. As soon as spring started, the city woke up from the cold winter months and you could see the city moving and many activities were available. The university is a key element and really helps you learn about your research topic. I was never really bored because there is always something to do either in your research project or in the activities outside the university. The support was great, I really cannot complain and the university offers you help. My master's thesis is about direct metal deposition, a process where conventional 3D printing is used, but instead of plastic, aluminum or steel powder is melted by a laser. I looked at different process parameters and tried to find relationships between them. The results will be used in large scale wind turbine molds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What new skills and qualities have you acquired?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The skills learned are broad. Obviously the English language skills have improved a lot. After living for a few weeks, you adapt to the language and speaking English became easier than ever. Social skills are also developed because you meet so many new people and communicate with them. I made some very good friends in Ann Arbor and definitely enjoyed my time there. The research at the university is very advanced, I could learn from other students or professors and they showed and explained different concepts and skills. Very insightful tips that can be used for either work or life tasks. Last but not least, you gain knowledge on how to move in a foreign country and after that I feel much more comfortable if I would have to move in the next years. You learn a lot about bureaucracy and organizing your documents and being on time<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How have your values and attitudes changed during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I appreciate people much more who give time to newer members in a group or faculty. Some people have really tried to welcome me and invite me to different events, which is great. I will definitely try to improve this skill and make a difference when new people come into the community. Being open to new people can be difficult at times, but it pays off and usually makes both parties happier. I have sometimes pushed myself to go to certain activities and especially afterwards I always felt better than before. I can definitely see myself moving somewhere else in the future after moving that far for half a year<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back, what was the greatest challenge in preparing for or during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

For a while, the biggest challenge was the master's thesis, because I was not really sure what the final product would look like. It is more of a mental thing, but it was definitely in my head for a while. The VISA process took a lot of time and the timeline is generally pretty tight, even if you do everything right away. In the beginning it was a challenge for me to get used to the daily or weekly life, but after a few weeks I felt comfortable and by the end of my stay I had my routine, friends and work sorted out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","post_title":"Moritz, Maschinenbau","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"moritz-mmb-us","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-10-18 12:45:12","post_modified_gmt":"2023-10-18 12:45:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/?post_type=reports&p=46349","menu_order":0,"post_type":"reports","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":46917,"post_author":"130","post_date":"2023-09-21 09:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-09-21 09:29:00","post_content":"\n
How did you find your internship position?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The first thing I did was look for the latest research articles on the research field that was appealing to me. Then I e-mailed the PI from that paper telling him I found the article interested and asking him if he was looking for an intern. He replied to me and we met online, he told me about the projects he was currently working on and asked me if I was interested. Once I said yes I started my application for the Marshall Plan Scholarship because I knew it would be too expensive for me to go without a scholarship. At the same time the host institution took care of the visa. The scholarship and the visa were the most critical parts of my preparation for the exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What practical arrangements have you made before the exchange?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The J-1 visa was the most important. As a researcher from a foreign country I cannot perform any labor without a visa. The host institution takes care of the first part that involves justifying why you are needed there. This is the longest part because they have to send a document over to Austria. With that document you can request the visa at the US consulate in Vienna, this took about a week in my case but waiting times can vary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kind of financial arrangements did you have to take care of?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I applied to the Marshall Plan Scholarship, the US is a very expensive country, more expensive than Austria so it would not have been possible for me to come without a scholarship. However, this was not enough to cover my stay, I received 7,200euro on a first installment and a second installment of 1,800euro is done after finishing submitting and getting approved the thesis. For the 7 months I stayed there I could cover the rent, some expenses related to the visa and tickets. You definitely some additional self-support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please describe your accommodation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I lived at a shared house with a family composed of the mom and the son. They had 3 rooms for rent, each person would have its own room. I could use all the common areas. One of the coolest parts was that they have some sort of gym so I could do my work-out here. The location is not too close to the city but it pays-off with the price. Another major advantage was that food was included in the rent and the landlady cooks for the whole week, so I did not have to worry much about cooking or grocery shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the country, culture and leisure activities you experienced during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The US is crazy, and Boston as well, there are lots of activities all the time. The city really encourages people to use the common areas, there are concerts, marathons, open-air work-outs, there will be something to do all the time. Some days of the month museums are free, and there are special deals for locals. You will never get bored in Boston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the internship?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The institute I worked at is part of the Massachusetts General Hospital so I had to undertake every capacitation needed for hospital staff. This includes 9 online courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Schepens Eye Research Institute is an academic institution that focuses on the field of ocular therapies and regeneration. People with all kinds of academic background work at the institute making it a great space for learning from different fields. Also, the people from my and other labs were willing to teach me new techniques and help me troubleshoot my experiments. This is definitely a great place for young researchers to grow surrounded by more experienced scholars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What new skills and qualities have you acquired?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The most important was experimental planning, all the experiments I did relied only on my planning skills, I encountered with individual work all the time. This allowed me to grow professionally and personally. I got to work with animals for the first time, so my animal handling skills were born in this place. Besides interacting with other cultures was important here because most of the researchers are not form the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/div>\n\n\n\n
How have your values and attitudes changed during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I became more aware of how life as a researcher is, when I was in Austria I did research at a university, but everything is much more controlled there because you are surrounded by professors who teach so most of the time everything is ready for you to use, in case you want to order something it has to go through your supervisor. In my case I had freedom to ask for any reagent I needed, but at the same time more responsibility relies on you. I value more the labor of professors in Austria now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back, what was the greatest challenge in preparing for or during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I think impostor syndrome was the biggest challenge, when you are surrounded by very well skilled professionals you start (or at least I start) thinking why do you deserve being here, what is the added value you bring to the team, how can you be useful to them, but in the end every experience in life is about growing as a professional, and we are all learning. There is not one single person that knows everything, that is exactly why we work in teams. Once I realized this, I was able to enrich myself more from the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was your most positive experience during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Being surrounded by so many academics, realizing they are not as posh, and most of them do not have superiority complexes but instead are willing to instruct or orientate. I am grateful for all the aspects of my internship and would totally recommend an experience like this to every rising scholar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Camila's experience in Boston","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"camilas-experience-in-boston","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-10-18 12:44:14","post_modified_gmt":"2023-10-18 12:44:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/?post_type=reports&p=46917","menu_order":0,"post_type":"reports","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":50890,"post_author":"130","post_date":"2023-12-01 08:24:31","post_date_gmt":"2023-12-01 08:24:31","post_content":"\n

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How did you find your internship position? How did you apply for it? How did you prepare for your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

First I skimed different lab websites considering their publications, the activity in social media, the career of the Principal Investigator (PI) and their team-building activities. I directly contacted the PI, introducing myself and stating why I was interested in performing an internship in their lab, as well as mentioning that I was planning to apply for the Marshall Plan Scholarship (MPS). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don't be afraid of being perseverant and send more than 2 reminders to each PI. I started sending emails Mid-May 2022 and I got the interview at University of California San Diego (UCSD) in July 2022. UCSD helped me with all the J1-VISA process, which took me 3 months in total and $350. VISA interview waiting times differ from country to country. Check the availability in different US consulates around Europe, before paying for the J1-interview. In some cases, you will only have to send the documents by mail, instead of performing the interview in person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What practical arrangements have you made before the exchange?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

After obtaining my VISA in November 2022, I booked a one-way ticket flight to LA. Try to obtain the VISA and book the flights as soon as possible, prices can skyrocket in a sec.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding the insurance, I bought one of the most affordable in the market: J1 Exchange Insurance from ISO International Student Health Insurance ($40\/month). I was lucky enough to not have to use it during my stay. Thus, I cannot tell how good they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding the housing, I checked in different Facebook groups, Craigslists and Airbnb. I finally found my room via Craigslist. However, be aware of the scams. Try to make a videocall before exchanging any money. In my case I was fortunate to share the house with a wonderful American family that were always opened and attentive to me. If you want to be 100% in the American culture, I encourage you to live with a native family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kind of financial arrangements did you have to take care of?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The living costs in California are quite expensive, especially in San Diego and San Francisco. Usually, prices in San Diego went from $2000\/month for a shared room or room without furniture\/facilities, and around $3000 for a fully-equipped room. Public transportation is expensive and not well connected. Considering that California is huge, if you are planning to stay for more than 3 months, I would recommend buying a used car and selling it afterwards. It took me 1.5-2h to get from A to B by bus, when by car it would have taken me 20min. On groceries, I spent about $400\/month. I usually bought veggies and fruit, so I guess that depending on the type of diet that you follow and how frequently you eat outside this number can even double. Coffees are one of the bests that I have ever tried. However, they cost about $6-8. So, prepare your wallet if you are a coffee-lover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How were you greeted, trained and welcomed by the company?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Furnari's lab is an interdisciplinary lab with people from all over the globe. Everybody was kind, supportive and helpful. We were doing science most of the time and I learnt a lot from their lab meetings and journal clubs. However, there was also room for parties and chitchatting with everyone. I learnt a lot from their cultures while working in the hood doing cell culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although I felt prepared for this transatlantic experience, I think that I learnt how to work independently in a high standard level. In the US, the ability to work independently is highly valuable. Thus, sometimes you can feel completely alone. However, during these moments, you must keep in mind that the errors that you make are easier to remember than the ones seen that others did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Another lesson that I learnt was that you will never know enough and there is always room to learn. From my point of view, this is the attitude that you need to move abroad, nothing else.<\/div>
Gal\u00b7la<\/div>


<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Please describe your accommodation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I found my accommodation via Craigslist. I sent an email to the email provided in an advertisement and then we scheduled a meeting to see each other. I was paying one of the cheapest rents compared to my colleagues ($2000\/month including facilities and furniture) for a big room. I shared the space with a retired family, which always invited me to family plans. We went to the cinema together, to a concert in Los Angeles, swam with the sea lions, among other things. I had a lot of fun with them. We also celebrated easter and the 4th of July with their family, and accepted hosting my friends and family when they visited me. In San Diego I lived 2 blocks away from the beach, 30 min away from the lab by bus and 30 min walking to the surfing area. I am sure that I found the perfect spot!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the country, culture and leisure activities you experienced during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Although nowadays we have a lot of American influence in Europe due to the films and series, I have to admit that some behaviors, food and people surprised me a lot. I would describe the US as a warm welcoming country, with a very recent history but full of patriotism. I think that we must learn a lot from them the same way that they do from us. During my stay abroad I could meet extraordinary people inside and outside the lab. I specially made a lot of friends playing spikeball, the roundnet game. There I met people from all over the US, and they all agreed that San Diego was one of the best places in the US and that it was very different from the rest of the US. The vibe, the weather, the sunsets, the National Parks ... <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All these things also took up a space in my heart. After these 7 months in the US, I don't think that I can make a reliable description of the US, however I can say that the experience has changed me and that I will probably repeat this adventure again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the internship?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

My internship was a completely exciting adventure in which I acquired a lot of knowledge from a personal and professional view. It strengthened my skills of independent thinking, my self-confidence, organization, perseverance, critical thinking, and patience. The message that I would like to send to future Marshall Plan Scholars is to not try to exercise too much pressure on yourself. It's hard to obtain results in 6 months and nobody is expecting anything from you. Every time that you fail and experiment, there's a chance to improve it and learn from them. Do not give up and keep trying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During my internship, I was told that I will have to induce cellular reprogramming to cancerous cell lines. Neither my lab nor I had any experience in cellular reprogramming, thus we had to start from scratch, and I had to establish the protocols. It's true that I didn't obtain publishing results, but I am satisfied with the work that I did, paving the path for future students in their lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What new skills and qualities have you acquired?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I can certainly tell that my English level, either spoken, written or listen has improved. I learnt a lot of daily vocabulary, which I think is as important as the professional one. Now I can understand most of the English songs! Since I met people from India, China, Japan I also learnt some words in their language and some particularities regarding food and culture. The US presents such a variety of nationalities as few countries have, and this is a very positive aspect of a country that contributes to open-mindedness of its citizens. I probably learnt some social skills trying to manage conflicts with my friends. I also learnt how to behave more professionally and nowadays I think that I have a more holistic view of the type of professional that I would like to be in the future. I am sure that 2 months after leaving the US, I'm only able to spot some of the big positive aspects that this transatlantic experience has caused in me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How have your values and attitudes changed during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think that the US experience has definitely changed my point of view in multiple aspects, but I still that I am still the same afraid person that I was in the beginning of moving abroad somehow. These international experiences help to open your mind and consider other cultures. In some cases, you may feel sad or unlucky for not having the opportunities that other countries have, but in other aspects you may feel sorry for other countries that are in a way worst situation than your country. Although comparisons are odious, this adventure made me value how grateful I should feel to the opportunities, family, and friends that I have. Another lesson that I learnt was that you will never know enough and there is always room to learn. From my point of view, this is the attitude that you need to move abroad, nothing else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back, what was the greatest challenge in preparing for or during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I think that my biggest challenge was the time difference with my home country. I was living 9h ahead from my family and friends, and we barely had time to talk. When they went to the bed, I still had the whole evening for me, and when I went to bed, they were waking up. I am a very familiar person and the fact that I needed 12h to go back home made me a little sad sometimes, especially during the first months. However, humans are survivors by nature, and after making some friends the sadness went away, and I was feeling fulfilled with my friends and routines there. In case that a prospective Marshall Plan Scholar is like me, I would like to tell him\/her that everything comes to an end, so \"carpe diem\".<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was your most positive experience during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

It's hard to tell the MOST positive experience because I have lived a lot of good times during this stay. I learnt very very much at my institution, but I think that the most positive experiences were happening outside the lab. I think that one of the best parts of my trip was meeting such extraordinary and wonderful people in the US from all over the globe. During my last week in the US, I was feeling really sad because I knew I was not able to see most of them in a very long time. I wish them all the best for their future!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","post_title":"MTE student in San Diego","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gallas-time-in-san-diego","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-01 13:51:12","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-01 13:51:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/?post_type=reports&p=50890","menu_order":0,"post_type":"reports","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"report_overview_link":""},"link":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/erfahrungsberichte\/graces-internship-in-boston\/"},{"ID":46331,"post_author":"130","post_date":"2023-09-06 14:20:16","post_date_gmt":"2023-09-06 14:20:16","post_content":"\n
\n
\n
How did you find your internship position? How did you apply for it? How did you prepare for your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Initially, you should search for a suitable city and university in the US where you plan to conduct your research. Then, seek out professors who have conducted research similar to your intended project and reach out to them via email. It is recommended to contact at least 10 professors, as some may not respond to your initial email. If necessary, you can also try calling them and leaving a message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What practical arrangements have you made before the exchange?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Once you have found a suitable professor, you should request an invitation letter from them. The professor will then contact the international office of the host university, who will send you a DS-2019 form via post from the US after you have paid the necessary admission fees. You will also need to pay for your SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee. Once you have received your DS-2019 form, you can then apply for your visa online. As for your health insurance, I would recommend the International Student Insurance program offered by https:\/\/www.isoa.org\/<\/a>. It is more convenient and affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How high were the living costs?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Rent in a dorm in a 4 square meter room: 1500$\/mo<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food: 800$ \/mo<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/div>\n\n\n\n
How would you describe the internship?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Columbia University has excellent research facilities that provide state-of-the-art resources for scholars. The university boasts extensive laboratory space, research centers, and libraries, with cutting-edge equipment and technology. Columbia's research infrastructure supports a wide range of fields, from natural sciences to social sciences and humanities. Additionally, the university's expert faculty and staff provide guidance and support to scholars throughout their research endeavors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What new skills and qualities have you acquired?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Cultural awareness<\/strong>: Studying abroad can expose individuals to diverse cultures, customs, and languages, which can foster cultural sensitivity and understanding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adaptability<\/strong>: Living and studying in a new environment can require individuals to be flexible, adaptable, and able to navigate unfamiliar situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independence<\/strong>: Studying abroad often involves living independently, managing finances, and navigating day-to-day life in a new place, which can foster independence and self-reliance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Language proficiency<\/strong>: Studying abroad in a foreign language can help individuals improve their language proficiency and communication skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global perspective<\/strong>: Studying abroad can provide a broader global perspective on issues and topics, and can also offer networking opportunities with people from different backgrounds and cultures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was your most positive experience during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Meeting great friends, learning new skills, and being at one of the top 10 universities in the world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","post_title":"Pouria, traineeship in NY","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pouria-mtm-us","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-10-18 12:45:36","post_modified_gmt":"2023-10-18 12:45:36","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/?post_type=reports&p=46331","menu_order":0,"post_type":"reports","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","countries":[{"term_id":2071,"name":"USA","slug":"usa","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2071,"taxonomy":"report-country","description":"","parent":0,"count":21,"filter":"raw"}],"courses":[{"term_id":2272,"name":"MSc Innovations- und Technologiemanagement","slug":"msc-innovations-und-technologiemanagement","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2272,"taxonomy":"report-course","description":"","parent":0,"count":6,"filter":"raw"}],"acf":{"extra_search_terms":false,"exclude_from_search":true,"override_header":{"ID":44366,"post_author":"9","post_date":"2023-07-17 09:52:01","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-17 09:52:01","post_content":"","post_title":"Header GLOBETROTTER","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"header-globetrotter-2","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-19 08:38:31","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-19 08:38:31","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/?post_type=headers&p=44366","menu_order":0,"post_type":"headers","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},"override_footer":{"ID":44370,"post_author":"9","post_date":"2023-07-17 09:52:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-17 09:52:57","post_content":"","post_title":"Footer GLOBETROTTER","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"footer-globetrotter-2","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-07-17 09:53:02","post_modified_gmt":"2023-07-17 09:53:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/?post_type=footers&p=44370","menu_order":0,"post_type":"footers","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},"overview_image":{"ID":46333,"id":46333,"title":"Pouria, NY","filename":"Pouria-NY.jpg","filesize":404999,"url":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20230906141718\/Pouria-NY.jpg","link":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/erfahrungsberichte\/pouria-mtm-us\/pouria-ny\/","alt":"Eine n\u00e4chtliche Stadtlandschaft mit den leuchtenden Geb\u00e4uden des Campus der Columbia University, \u00fcppigen gr\u00fcnen Rasenfl\u00e4chen und der beleuchteten Skyline von New York City im Hintergrund, die die lebendige akademische Atmosph\u00e4re des Marshall-Plan-Stipendiums unterstreicht.","author":"130","description":"","caption":"","name":"pouria-ny","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":46331,"date":"2023-09-06 14:17:18","modified":"2023-09-06 14:17:18","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"http:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1280,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20230906141718\/Pouria-NY.jpg","thumbnail-width":96,"thumbnail-height":96,"medium":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20230906141718\/Pouria-NY.jpg","medium-width":1280,"medium-height":1280,"medium_large":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20230906141718\/Pouria-NY.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20230906141718\/Pouria-NY.jpg","large-width":1280,"large-height":1280,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20230906141718\/Pouria-NY.jpg","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":1280,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20230906141718\/Pouria-NY.jpg","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":1280,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20230906141718\/Pouria-NY.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":300,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20230906141718\/Pouria-NY.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":400,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/media-hp.technikum-wien.at\/media\/20230906141718\/Pouria-NY.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":600}},"image_left":false,"person_image":false,"first_name":"Pouria","last_name":"","intro_text":"Marshall Plan Scholarship","quote":"","show_quote_on_overview":false,"type_of_stay":{"value":"internship","label":"Praktikum"},"university_company":" Columbia University - 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\n
\n

How did you find your internship position? How did you apply for it? How did you prepare for your stay abroad?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I first heard of the Marshall Plan Scholarship trough the UAS Technikum Wien, and therefore decided to take a closer look into research institutions in the USA in the field of my interest. This way I came across the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab which is connected to the Northwestern University in Chicago. I applied directly at the head of the research group with a motivational letter and my CV. As a recommendation for future visiting scholars, I would be specific about what research you are interested in and in what projects you could imagine participating in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What practical arrangements have you made before the exchange?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before my stay in Chicago, I had to apply for the J1-visa. The whole process can take a while, which is why I would recommend applying for the visa, as soon as you get accepted. Most of the necessary documents should be provided by the host institution. Depending on the internship or job, the host institution might require different insurances as well as vaccination requirements. I looked for different accommodations via common websites for this area as well as facebook groups and came across a co-living space that offered rooms for a short-term lease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kind of financial arrangements did you have to take care of?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I was financially supported by the Marshall Plan Scholarship Foundation. However, this was not enough to cover my entire stay, which is way I had to finance the rest personally. Chicago has very high rental prices ($1000 for a room with shared kitchen and bathroom), especially compared to Austria. Further, general living costs can be quite expensive as well, which is why a reasonable budget should be considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How were you greeted, trained and welcomed by the company?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I was welcomed very nicely at the lab. I had a few orientation days in the beginning, where I got to know all colleagues as well as projects they are working on. This made my arrival very easy. Additionally, it was very helpful to have a contact person, also prior to my stay, who helped me with all my concerns and questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please describe your accomodation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As described above, I lived in a co-living space where I had my own room. I shared a bathroom with one other girl and a kitchen with 5 other housemates. My room and the kitchen were fully equipped, which was really helpful so I didn't have to buy any utilities for my short stay of 5 months. The house was located in a nice student area, just a bit north of downtown Chicago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the country, culture and leisure activites you experienced during your stay abroad?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chicago is a very diverse and international city, which is why it was made very easy for me to arrive and settle in. If you yourself are an outgoing personality, it is easy to meet open-minded people and make new friend. Nevertheless, the city can also feel a bit overwhelming with all the skyscrapers and lots of people. But this also means that it has a lot to offer in terms of leisure activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the internship?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Regenstein Center of Bionic Medicine (CBM), as part of the Shirley Ryan ability lab, focuses on research for groundbreaking upper and lower limb prosthetic solutions. A diverse group of people from a variety of backgrounds, including engineers, therapists and prosthetists work closely in a team to achieve the greatest developments. Due to the direct connection to the hospital, the research can be applied immediately and testes with the user, which allows to evaluate and examine research results and developments in a minimum time frame. I wrote my master thesis during my stay there, in the field of powered prosthetics. I had an entire project team with whom I worked closely together to achieve my goals. Regardless of this, I was continuously given the chance to ask the whole team for help or support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What new skills and qualities have you acquired?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I had a lot of fun and gained unique experiences. I was also challenged, and sometimes it can be exhausting. Especially in research, not everything always goes according to plan. However, with lot of flexibility and endurance, everything worked out in the end. This way I learned a lot of skills regarding working with colleagues and in a performance-driven environment.enthalten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How have your values and attitudes changed during your stay abroad?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During my stay, I especially appreciated the help of colleagues, and I would like to pass this on to others in the future. I have learned a lot in interacting with colleagues and in the working environment, which will certainly help me in my future career to quickly integrate into teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back, what was the greatest challenge in preparing for or during your stay abroad?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I think the greatest challenge was the application for the scholarship, as it required detailed information about my project at a time when only rough topics<\/p>\n\n\n\n

had been determined. Other than that, I encountered small challenges every now and then, but with the right attitude and help from other people, they are easy to overcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was your most positive experience during your stay abroad?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Looking back, I am very grateful that I was given the chance to participate in this program. This has enabled me not only to gain intensive insights into current research but also to actively participate in it. In addition, I am very grateful for all the unique and inspiring people I met during my stay in Chicago.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","post_title":"Paula - MGR - Shirley Ryan AbilityLab","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"paula-mgr-shirley-ryan-abilitylab","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-10-19 10:57:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-10-19 10:57:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/content.technikum-wien.at\/?post_type=reports&p=45220","menu_order":0,"post_type":"reports","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","countries":[{"term_id":2071,"name":"USA","slug":"usa","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2071,"taxonomy":"report-country","description":"","parent":0,"count":21,"filter":"raw"}],"courses":[{"term_id":2266,"name":"MSc Gesundheits- und 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How did you find your internship position?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The first thing I did was look for the latest research articles on the research field that was appealing to me. Then I e-mailed the PI from that paper telling him I found the article interested and asking him if he was looking for an intern. He replied to me and we met online, he told me about the projects he was currently working on and asked me if I was interested. Once I said yes I started my application for the Marshall Plan Scholarship because I knew it would be too expensive for me to go without a scholarship. At the same time the host institution took care of the visa. The scholarship and the visa were the most critical parts of my preparation for the exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What practical arrangements have you made before the exchange?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The J-1 visa was the most important. As a researcher from a foreign country I cannot perform any labor without a visa. The host institution takes care of the first part that involves justifying why you are needed there. This is the longest part because they have to send a document over to Austria. With that document you can request the visa at the US consulate in Vienna, this took about a week in my case but waiting times can vary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kind of financial arrangements did you have to take care of?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I applied to the Marshall Plan Scholarship, the US is a very expensive country, more expensive than Austria so it would not have been possible for me to come without a scholarship. However, this was not enough to cover my stay, I received 7,200euro on a first installment and a second installment of 1,800euro is done after finishing submitting and getting approved the thesis. For the 7 months I stayed there I could cover the rent, some expenses related to the visa and tickets. You definitely some additional self-support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please describe your accommodation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I lived at a shared house with a family composed of the mom and the son. They had 3 rooms for rent, each person would have its own room. I could use all the common areas. One of the coolest parts was that they have some sort of gym so I could do my work-out here. The location is not too close to the city but it pays-off with the price. Another major advantage was that food was included in the rent and the landlady cooks for the whole week, so I did not have to worry much about cooking or grocery shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the country, culture and leisure activities you experienced during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The US is crazy, and Boston as well, there are lots of activities all the time. The city really encourages people to use the common areas, there are concerts, marathons, open-air work-outs, there will be something to do all the time. Some days of the month museums are free, and there are special deals for locals. You will never get bored in Boston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the internship?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The institute I worked at is part of the Massachusetts General Hospital so I had to undertake every capacitation needed for hospital staff. This includes 9 online courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Schepens Eye Research Institute is an academic institution that focuses on the field of ocular therapies and regeneration. People with all kinds of academic background work at the institute making it a great space for learning from different fields. Also, the people from my and other labs were willing to teach me new techniques and help me troubleshoot my experiments. This is definitely a great place for young researchers to grow surrounded by more experienced scholars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What new skills and qualities have you acquired?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The most important was experimental planning, all the experiments I did relied only on my planning skills, I encountered with individual work all the time. This allowed me to grow professionally and personally. I got to work with animals for the first time, so my animal handling skills were born in this place. Besides interacting with other cultures was important here because most of the researchers are not form the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/div>\n\n\n\n
How have your values and attitudes changed during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I became more aware of how life as a researcher is, when I was in Austria I did research at a university, but everything is much more controlled there because you are surrounded by professors who teach so most of the time everything is ready for you to use, in case you want to order something it has to go through your supervisor. In my case I had freedom to ask for any reagent I needed, but at the same time more responsibility relies on you. I value more the labor of professors in Austria now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back, what was the greatest challenge in preparing for or during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I think impostor syndrome was the biggest challenge, when you are surrounded by very well skilled professionals you start (or at least I start) thinking why do you deserve being here, what is the added value you bring to the team, how can you be useful to them, but in the end every experience in life is about growing as a professional, and we are all learning. There is not one single person that knows everything, that is exactly why we work in teams. Once I realized this, I was able to enrich myself more from the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was your most positive experience during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Being surrounded by so many academics, realizing they are not as posh, and most of them do not have superiority complexes but instead are willing to instruct or orientate. I am grateful for all the aspects of my internship and would totally recommend an experience like this to every rising scholar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n
\n
How did you find your internship position? How did you apply for it? How did you prepare for your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

First I skimed different lab websites considering their publications, the activity in social media, the career of the Principal Investigator (PI) and their team-building activities. I directly contacted the PI, introducing myself and stating why I was interested in performing an internship in their lab, as well as mentioning that I was planning to apply for the Marshall Plan Scholarship (MPS). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don't be afraid of being perseverant and send more than 2 reminders to each PI. I started sending emails Mid-May 2022 and I got the interview at University of California San Diego (UCSD) in July 2022. UCSD helped me with all the J1-VISA process, which took me 3 months in total and $350. VISA interview waiting times differ from country to country. Check the availability in different US consulates around Europe, before paying for the J1-interview. In some cases, you will only have to send the documents by mail, instead of performing the interview in person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What practical arrangements have you made before the exchange?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

After obtaining my VISA in November 2022, I booked a one-way ticket flight to LA. Try to obtain the VISA and book the flights as soon as possible, prices can skyrocket in a sec.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding the insurance, I bought one of the most affordable in the market: J1 Exchange Insurance from ISO International Student Health Insurance ($40\/month). I was lucky enough to not have to use it during my stay. Thus, I cannot tell how good they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding the housing, I checked in different Facebook groups, Craigslists and Airbnb. I finally found my room via Craigslist. However, be aware of the scams. Try to make a videocall before exchanging any money. In my case I was fortunate to share the house with a wonderful American family that were always opened and attentive to me. If you want to be 100% in the American culture, I encourage you to live with a native family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kind of financial arrangements did you have to take care of?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The living costs in California are quite expensive, especially in San Diego and San Francisco. Usually, prices in San Diego went from $2000\/month for a shared room or room without furniture\/facilities, and around $3000 for a fully-equipped room. Public transportation is expensive and not well connected. Considering that California is huge, if you are planning to stay for more than 3 months, I would recommend buying a used car and selling it afterwards. It took me 1.5-2h to get from A to B by bus, when by car it would have taken me 20min. On groceries, I spent about $400\/month. I usually bought veggies and fruit, so I guess that depending on the type of diet that you follow and how frequently you eat outside this number can even double. Coffees are one of the bests that I have ever tried. However, they cost about $6-8. So, prepare your wallet if you are a coffee-lover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How were you greeted, trained and welcomed by the company?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Furnari's lab is an interdisciplinary lab with people from all over the globe. Everybody was kind, supportive and helpful. We were doing science most of the time and I learnt a lot from their lab meetings and journal clubs. However, there was also room for parties and chitchatting with everyone. I learnt a lot from their cultures while working in the hood doing cell culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although I felt prepared for this transatlantic experience, I think that I learnt how to work independently in a high standard level. In the US, the ability to work independently is highly valuable. Thus, sometimes you can feel completely alone. However, during these moments, you must keep in mind that the errors that you make are easier to remember than the ones seen that others did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another lesson that I learnt was that you will never know enough and there is always room to learn. From my point of view, this is the attitude that you need to move abroad, nothing else.<\/div>
Gal\u00b7la<\/div>


<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Please describe your accommodation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I found my accommodation via Craigslist. I sent an email to the email provided in an advertisement and then we scheduled a meeting to see each other. I was paying one of the cheapest rents compared to my colleagues ($2000\/month including facilities and furniture) for a big room. I shared the space with a retired family, which always invited me to family plans. We went to the cinema together, to a concert in Los Angeles, swam with the sea lions, among other things. I had a lot of fun with them. We also celebrated easter and the 4th of July with their family, and accepted hosting my friends and family when they visited me. In San Diego I lived 2 blocks away from the beach, 30 min away from the lab by bus and 30 min walking to the surfing area. I am sure that I found the perfect spot!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the country, culture and leisure activities you experienced during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Although nowadays we have a lot of American influence in Europe due to the films and series, I have to admit that some behaviors, food and people surprised me a lot. I would describe the US as a warm welcoming country, with a very recent history but full of patriotism. I think that we must learn a lot from them the same way that they do from us. During my stay abroad I could meet extraordinary people inside and outside the lab. I specially made a lot of friends playing spikeball, the roundnet game. There I met people from all over the US, and they all agreed that San Diego was one of the best places in the US and that it was very different from the rest of the US. The vibe, the weather, the sunsets, the National Parks ... <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All these things also took up a space in my heart. After these 7 months in the US, I don't think that I can make a reliable description of the US, however I can say that the experience has changed me and that I will probably repeat this adventure again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the internship?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

My internship was a completely exciting adventure in which I acquired a lot of knowledge from a personal and professional view. It strengthened my skills of independent thinking, my self-confidence, organization, perseverance, critical thinking, and patience. The message that I would like to send to future Marshall Plan Scholars is to not try to exercise too much pressure on yourself. It's hard to obtain results in 6 months and nobody is expecting anything from you. Every time that you fail and experiment, there's a chance to improve it and learn from them. Do not give up and keep trying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During my internship, I was told that I will have to induce cellular reprogramming to cancerous cell lines. Neither my lab nor I had any experience in cellular reprogramming, thus we had to start from scratch, and I had to establish the protocols. It's true that I didn't obtain publishing results, but I am satisfied with the work that I did, paving the path for future students in their lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What new skills and qualities have you acquired?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I can certainly tell that my English level, either spoken, written or listen has improved. I learnt a lot of daily vocabulary, which I think is as important as the professional one. Now I can understand most of the English songs! Since I met people from India, China, Japan I also learnt some words in their language and some particularities regarding food and culture. The US presents such a variety of nationalities as few countries have, and this is a very positive aspect of a country that contributes to open-mindedness of its citizens. I probably learnt some social skills trying to manage conflicts with my friends. I also learnt how to behave more professionally and nowadays I think that I have a more holistic view of the type of professional that I would like to be in the future. I am sure that 2 months after leaving the US, I'm only able to spot some of the big positive aspects that this transatlantic experience has caused in me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How have your values and attitudes changed during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think that the US experience has definitely changed my point of view in multiple aspects, but I still that I am still the same afraid person that I was in the beginning of moving abroad somehow. These international experiences help to open your mind and consider other cultures. In some cases, you may feel sad or unlucky for not having the opportunities that other countries have, but in other aspects you may feel sorry for other countries that are in a way worst situation than your country. Although comparisons are odious, this adventure made me value how grateful I should feel to the opportunities, family, and friends that I have. Another lesson that I learnt was that you will never know enough and there is always room to learn. From my point of view, this is the attitude that you need to move abroad, nothing else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back, what was the greatest challenge in preparing for or during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I think that my biggest challenge was the time difference with my home country. I was living 9h ahead from my family and friends, and we barely had time to talk. When they went to the bed, I still had the whole evening for me, and when I went to bed, they were waking up. I am a very familiar person and the fact that I needed 12h to go back home made me a little sad sometimes, especially during the first months. However, humans are survivors by nature, and after making some friends the sadness went away, and I was feeling fulfilled with my friends and routines there. In case that a prospective Marshall Plan Scholar is like me, I would like to tell him\/her that everything comes to an end, so \"carpe diem\".<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was your most positive experience during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

It's hard to tell the MOST positive experience because I have lived a lot of good times during this stay. I learnt very very much at my institution, but I think that the most positive experiences were happening outside the lab. I think that one of the best parts of my trip was meeting such extraordinary and wonderful people in the US from all over the globe. During my last week in the US, I was feeling really sad because I knew I was not able to see most of them in a very long time. I wish them all the best for their future!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did you find your internship position? How did you apply for it? How did you prepare for your stay abroad? <\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I found my internship position by contacting different professors on the university websites. I looked through the departments I was interested in and their description and field of interest. I wrote several emails to different professors in different universities. I did not get as many responses as I expected, but the professor from the University of Michigan was open to the project and we set up a meeting to talk about the next steps. As soon as the professor confirmed my stay, the university took over my application at their university, I had to take care of my VISA, but that is a later question. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My recommendation for future interns is to start early with the VISA and in my case the Marshall Plan process. Sometimes you cannot speed up the process or foresee unfortunate events (my DS-2019 was once lost in transit from the US to Austria), so make sure you complete each step as soon as possible. Be sure to keep an open mind in the new country, learn about the culture, and try to fit in. In my opinion, it is important to have some friends to travel with or just hang out with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gathering information can be difficult, luckily my university was well prepared, and I always had contacts who could help me or a well-designed website where you could inform yourself. For the VISA process it can get tricky because you have to sort out a lot of things on your own, but with the internet it is definitely doable. The International Center will also give you some information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What practical arrangements have you made before the exchange?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Arrangement before leaving for the USA is and in my case was definitely a key, especially at the beginning. The US is very strict with their VISA requirements, so it is important to have everything with you, printed and ready to show. The University of Michigan had its own health insurance plan so I did not have to worry about that. The liability insurance was recommended by the FH Technikum and was quite cheap (150\u20ac, half a year). Besides the VISA, housing is probably the most important thing to take care of before the exchange. It is definitely possible to find something when you arrive, but it is stressful. Make sure you do not get scammed and try to be close to the campus or downtown. Ann Arbor is a smaller city compared to other US cities, so I was pretty lucky to live close to downtown and the campus. Mobility can also be good to know beforehand, I checked out bikes beforehand but ended up buying one after a few weeks (it depends where you live, but in my case the bike was essential for me).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kind of financial arrangements did you have to take care of?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The Marshall Plan Foundation has given me a certain amount of money, which also scales with the exchange time. Everything else I paid with my own money. The cost of living in the USA is quite expensive, especially housing. After the stay I can estimate a monthly living cost of about $2000, which includes everything from food, utilities, rent and leisure activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How were you greeted, trained and welcomed by the company?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The University of Michigan welcomed me with open arms and helped me settle in. My faculty threw an orientation party and I got to know each of them. The faculty provided me with a lot of information; looking back, I cannot remember any information that I really missed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please describe your accommodation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

My room was part of a shared house, I was subletting the room of another international student who left earlier, and luckily I had the optimal time from March to August. The house had 3 floors where the first floor was the kitchen and living room, the second floor was where my roommate lived, and the third floor was my landlord's apartment. My room was pretty standard for Ann Arbor, but it had all the necessities (bed, table drawer). The house in general was a bit old, but especially for the six months I was there, it was fine. The location was pretty good and close to downtown, especially by bike after the last few winter weeks in March. The price for my room was $680 without utilities, total about $750-800.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the country, culture and leisure activities you experienced during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Ann Arbor is a great place to live. The standard of living is quite high and you could definitely notice that after traveling to other cities in the US. I only met friendly people and I always felt safe (at least as a man, I do not know about women), even at night. I met a lot of graduate students and in general the work culture is very competitive and challenging. Many people work long hours and the research that is done at the university is something I had never experienced before. As mentioned before, I really tried to experience the USA to the fullest. I pretty much explored the whole city by bike and went to every park. I tried to go to events at the university as well as local events in the city. It was very interesting to see a different culture than the one I already knew from Europe (Italy, Austria). I also went out and partied on the weekends, which was also a unique experience and very different from the parties in Europe. I played a lot of basketball, which is very popular in my area and in the US in general. I made some great friends along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How would you describe the internship?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

My internship has been a unique experience, it can be a bit intimidating at first and sometimes I was not really sure if everything was going to work out, but that is life I guess. As soon as spring started, the city woke up from the cold winter months and you could see the city moving and many activities were available. The university is a key element and really helps you learn about your research topic. I was never really bored because there is always something to do either in your research project or in the activities outside the university. The support was great, I really cannot complain and the university offers you help. My master's thesis is about direct metal deposition, a process where conventional 3D printing is used, but instead of plastic, aluminum or steel powder is melted by a laser. I looked at different process parameters and tried to find relationships between them. The results will be used in large scale wind turbine molds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What new skills and qualities have you acquired?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The skills learned are broad. Obviously the English language skills have improved a lot. After living for a few weeks, you adapt to the language and speaking English became easier than ever. Social skills are also developed because you meet so many new people and communicate with them. I made some very good friends in Ann Arbor and definitely enjoyed my time there. The research at the university is very advanced, I could learn from other students or professors and they showed and explained different concepts and skills. Very insightful tips that can be used for either work or life tasks. Last but not least, you gain knowledge on how to move in a foreign country and after that I feel much more comfortable if I would have to move in the next years. You learn a lot about bureaucracy and organizing your documents and being on time<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How have your values and attitudes changed during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

I appreciate people much more who give time to newer members in a group or faculty. Some people have really tried to welcome me and invite me to different events, which is great. I will definitely try to improve this skill and make a difference when new people come into the community. Being open to new people can be difficult at times, but it pays off and usually makes both parties happier. I have sometimes pushed myself to go to certain activities and especially afterwards I always felt better than before. I can definitely see myself moving somewhere else in the future after moving that far for half a year<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back, what was the greatest challenge in preparing for or during your stay abroad?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

For a while, the biggest challenge was the master's thesis, because I was not really sure what the final product would look like. It is more of a mental thing, but it was definitely in my head for a while. The VISA process took a lot of time and the timeline is generally pretty tight, even if you do everything right away. In the beginning it was a challenge for me to get used to the daily or weekly life, but after a few weeks I felt comfortable and by the end of my stay I had my routine, friends and work sorted out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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