Simon

How did you find your internship position? How did you apply for it? How did you prepare for your stay abroad?

I learned of this position through my study program director in Austria. The opportunity exists thanks to a connection with my U.S. supervisor, who completed the same program at our University of Applied Sciences (UAS) over a decade ago. Now a researcher at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), he periodically seeks a student from our university to write their master’s thesis at the lab. As the position was filled on a first-come, first-served basis, my prompt application secured me the spot.
The process began with an online meeting to introduce ourselves and discuss my background and interests, after which my supervisor approved my participation. We then held several follow-up meetings to brainstorm and finalize the topic for my master’s thesis and also discuss general challenges will face in the U.S.

What practical arrangements did you make before the exchange?

The most important things to take care of before your stay are the visa and insurance. A visa is necessary to enter the US. In my case, the research institute has many foreign researchers and was therefore experienced, helping with the process by providing information and necessary documents like the DS-2019.
For insurance, the research institute required a certain amount of health coverage to be accepted. I spoke with my local insurance advisor, who set me up with a policy that met all these requirements. Alternatively, many options are available online, but you have to be careful, as the USA and Canada are often excluded from international policies.
I also searched for housing and signed a lease prior to my stay, but you need to be very careful of scammers. I also heard from a colleague that it is possible to stay in a hotel or Airbnb at first and look for housing on-site.

What kind of financial arrangements did you have to make?

I was financially supported by a scholarship from the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation. However, due to the high living costs in the Bay Area, especially the high rent, this scholarship couldn’t even cover my housing for the seven-month period. Additionally, I applied for educational leave (Bildungskarenz) in Austria, which provided me with additional funds each month. Despite this, I still had to use some of my personal savings, which is largely due to living in a very expensive region like the San Francisco Bay Area.

How were you greeted, trained, and welcomed by the company?

Upon arriving in the U.S., it took a few days for the institute to check all of my documents. After everything was verified, I was able to get my badge and gain access to the facility. On my first day at the institute, I was welcomed by the leader of the research group I would be working in. My supervisor worked mostly remotely, so he couldn’t show me around; instead, the group lead gave me a tour. Since my first day was a Friday before a holiday weekend, the rest of my colleagues were already on vacation, and I met them over the following weeks.

Please describe your accommodation

I stayed in a two-person shared apartment. I had my own kitchen and bedroom, but we shared a bathroom. I found the apartment on Craigslist. During a virtual meeting, my future roommate showed me the entire apartment, as well as the entrance to the apartment complex and the address, so I could verify its authenticity. The apartment was close to the northern part of the university campus, which made public transport easily accessible, but it was also in a quiet, family-friendly area.
The monthly cost was $1,700, which seems expensive, but I spoke to other international colleagues and, for this area, the location, the size of the room and the fact that I had my own kitchen, the price was quite good, especially for a short-term lease.

How would you describe the country, culture, and leisure activities you experienced during your stay abroad?

The entire Bay Area is heavily influenced by the Silicon Valley. Because so many international professionals work for the tech companies here, the region is very diverse and as a foreigner, you don’t particularly stand out. The Asian community, in particular, is very large.
As for Berkeley itself, it is a quintessential university town. You can picture it just like in the movies: the streets are filled with students walking to class with backpacks, the campus is full of historic brick buildings and large green lawns where people study or relax. The social life often revolves around college sports, student clubs, and campus events, creating a vibrant, community-focused atmosphere. However, this changes dramatically in the summer. Between semesters, the city becomes noticeably quiet, almost feeling empty, as most of the students leave for the break.

How would you describe the internship?

During my internship, I wrote my master’s thesis on the topic of optimizing the operation of hybrid energy storage systems. Because my thesis was mostly focused on Python coding and working with simulation models, I did not require access to any specific lab equipment, only the necessary software. My supervisor supported with weekly check ins to help me if problems were coming up.

What new skills and qualities have you acquired?

In terms of language, I significantly improved my English proficiency. Beyond gaining fluency in daily conversation, I became confident using technical and scientific English within the demanding environment of the research institute.
Working in a highly diverse research group with colleagues from all over the world greatly enhanced my social and intercultural skills. I learned to proactively connect with people from different cultural backgrounds, fostering effective communication and quickly building a new social network.
However, I see the most significant growth in my personal development. Living independently in a foreign country, navigating the day-to-day challenges, and successfully adapting to a new culture have profoundly strengthened my self-reliance, independence, and adaptability.

How did your values and attitudes change during your stay abroad?

My stay abroad has had a lasting impact on my values and attitudes. The experience of living independently in a new environment and mastering daily challenges has greatly strengthened my self-confidence and independence. I have learned to trust my abilities and to proactively find solutions to problems.
Working in such an international and diverse team was particularly formative. I not only enjoyed the variety of perspectives and cultural backgrounds but found it to be extremely enriching and inspiring. This experience has significantly altered my outlook on my future career path. The idea of working abroad or in a similarly international environment has transformed from a vague notion into a concrete professional goal. I now actively aspire to a career that offers this kind of cultural and professional diversity.

Looking back, what was the biggest challenge in preparing for or during your stay abroad?

The greatest challenge was the leap into complete independence, which coincided with moving away from home for the first time. Experiencing this on a different continent, far from family and friends, was a significant adjustment initially. I had to learn not only to find my way in a new culture but also to manage a fully independent life and proactively build a new social circle. This period was crucial in shaping my self-confidence and my ability to adapt to new situations.

What was your most positive experience during your stay abroad?

The highlight of my stay was undoubtedly the people I met, both in my professional and personal life. At the institute, I valued the inspiring exchange within an international team. But beyond work, I also quickly made connections and found friends who helped me truly understand the local culture and feel at home. It’s the overall experience—the sum of all the insightful conversations and the friendships I formed—that made my time abroad unforgettable.