Archive for February, 2025
My practical year in Montpellier
- Medicine
- France, Montpellier
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Montpellier
- 07/2024 – 10/2024
1. Application/Finding an Internship
From an early stage, it was clear to me that I wanted to complete a substantial part of my practical year, my medical internship, abroad. After planning my first rotation in Dubai and having my second in Germany, I wanted to see and experience something different for my third rotation. I chose to take another challenge: general surgery in Montpellier, Southern France. The application process was relatively straightforward; I sent an email to the head of the department in early 2024, and my application was quickly accepted. Further organization was handled through the universities in France and Germany. The process in France was similar to that in Germany, requiring vaccination records, certain health tests, and proof of insurance. Thanks to EU agreements, I didn’t have to worry about obtaining a visa.
Monaco (left) and the Fairmont Hairpin Curve (right) ©Julia-Laura Schulz
Further planning included my travel arrangements and accommodation. I combined my journey with my family as a little road trip through Switzerland, Italy, and Monaco. For accommodation, I recommend student dormitories, but it is important to note that not all of them accept short-term stays, especially those that span multiple semesters. While I found it easy to secure accommodation for the semester holidays at the start of my internship, I had to move at the beginning of the new semester. Finding new accommodation was quite stressful and not easy, given my work routine and studies. However, in the end, everything worked out.
2. Accommodation & Living Expenses
During my internship, I opted for student housing, which offered a more affordable living option compared to private apartments. The costs for living in Montpellier were manageable, especially considering the financial support I received. I found that groceries were reasonably priced, but dining out could become expensive.
The student dormitories offered essential amenities, such as kitchen facilities, allowing me to cook my own meals, which helped keep my expenses down. While I didn’t strictly budget, I was mindful of my spending since I also wanted to indulge in the local cuisine and travel during my free time. Overall, Montpellier is a vibrant city, and the cost of living was reasonable for a student lifestyle.
3. Everyday Life/The Internship
On the first day of my internship, I registered at the medical faculty next to the hospital, where I enrolled alongside other Erasmus students. I then went directly to the General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery department, known as “Chirurgie B.” The senior physician responsible for externes showed me around the unit and explained the processes. In France, medical students are referred to as “externes,” while resident doctors are called “internes,” which can be confusing at first, as “interns” in English usually refers to final-year medical students. Our team typically consisted of three German and two French students. The French externes usually rotate every few weeks, which allowed me to meet many different people.
Faculty of Medicine ©Julia-Laura Schulz
Each week, we were assigned to a department, which could include the ward, the operating room, or outpatient clinics. Depending on our interests, we also had the opportunity to rotate through radiology, endoscopy, and anesthesia. Additionally, we had one to two on-call shifts each week (including weekends) for liver transplants. A typical day began with the morning handover from the night shift and a round of visits to all patients on both the general and intensive care wards. After the handover, everyone focused on their own tasks. Once a week, usually on Fridays, there were classes for students, often in the form of OSCE exercises. These sessions were highly educational, although the language barrier sometimes created a tense, exam-like environment. After the classes, the entire team would gather to review and discuss the surgical schedule for the upcoming week, deliberating on various cases. During these discussions, both attending and senior physicians often posed questions to both internes and externes. Additionally, once a month, the internes gave presentations, which were followed by the big weekly rounds.
The general ward was structured similarly to those in Germany, consisting of double and single rooms. The intensive care unit primarily had single rooms, and the operating rooms were comparably designed. Access to various areas of the hospital was secured with access codes. Both internes and externes had a dedicated room on the ward equipped with computers and lockers. All externes received a personal account for the duration of their stay to access computers and the hospital information system.
A particular highlight in Chirurgie B were the liver transplants. During the 24-hour on-call shifts, the ones on-call were responsible for these procedures and had to be prepared to stand in the operating room for about eight hours straight. There was also the opportunity to voluntarily participate in organ retrieval, which often involved traveling to different locations or even flying by private jet. On one occasion, we were escorted by the police, which felt like a movie and was incredibly exciting. The retrieval process is very moving and deeply impressive, as it represents the final and selfless act of brain-dead patients. After retrieval, the liver is transported in a cooled state and appears gray; however, after several hours of surgery and restoration of blood flow, it regains its dark red color. This moment is magical and makes all worries, back pain, and fatigue fade away.
One challenging aspect was the work environment in the department. There was often a tense atmosphere among the resident doctors, which sometimes affected us externes. This led to conflicts between internes and externes, causing misunderstandings with the attending physicians and resulting in stricter oversight. However, thanks to the camaraderie among the externes, this was manageable.
I also wanted to gain insight into neurosurgery, so I contacted the chief physician, who invited me to observe a particularly interesting procedure: an awake brain surgery. The patient underwent head surgery and was awakened for about an hour during the procedure with the assistance of neuropsychologists, who guided her to perform various tasks in order to minimize the risks associated with the surgery. Since I have a strong interest in neurosurgery, this was definitely one of my personal highlights at the clinic.
Despite the initial language barrier and different dialects, I quickly settled in and was able to learn a lot. I observed procedures that I had only previously studied in theory. The awake surgery and the liver transplants were undoubtedly extraordinary experiences that left a lasting impression on me. I would like to extend a special thank you to my colleagues, whose support made the stress of the internship much more bearable. Moreover, the opportunity to forge international connections and broaden my horizons was particularly valuable.
4. Free Time/Tips
Lavender Fields, Provence ©Julia-Laura Schulz
From the beginning, I met many nice people. After work, we often arranged to meet for dinner, take weekend trips, go canoeing, or even play mini-golf together. A particularly memorable trip was to the lavender fields in Provence, which were breathtakingly beautiful. Watching the Euro football matches together was another unforgettable experience 4 especially the public viewing when France was playing, which created an incredible, lively atmosphere. We also went on trips with the Erasmus group, including horse riding in the Camargue, which was a unique way to explore the region. Numerous wonderful moments were created, and I have many pictures that I enjoy looking at repeatedly.
To pursue my passion for golf, I joined a golf club in Montpellier, where I regularly participated in courses. I met many other golfers, but since this was my last internship rotation, I also had to study for the third state exam, which meant sacrificing some of my free time. During this time, I discovered the university libraries, which I also liked.
The location of Montpellier allowed me to take many trips across Southern Europe. For example, I was able to meet friends in Barcelona or pick up my cousin from her language course in Nice. A particular highlight was our family reunion in Venice for my mother’s birthday, where family members from the USA, the Dominican Republic, and Germany came together. It was wonderful to see the surprised faces of my relatives when they saw us there.
Another delightful moment was when friends from Germany visited me, and we spent a wonderful week together. We explored the city, enjoyed the local cuisine, and shared many unforgettable moments.
On Sundays, I attended mass at various Catholic churches around the city, including the cathedral. Following the mass in French wasn9t always easy, but reading the liturgy beforehand in both German and French helped me follow along more easily and gain more from the sermon.
Lourdes ©Julia-Laura Schulz
For my return journey, my family picked me up, and we drove back via Lourdes and Paris. The Rosary procession and the water ritual formed a meaningful and memorable conclusion to my internship.
5. Conclusion
In conclusion, I can confidently say that the last rotation of my internship abroad was a complete success. I learned not only a lot professionally and linguistically but also gained numerous experiences, impressions, and valuable contacts. Montpellier taught me so much, and this experience will stay with me forever. Therefore, I would like to sincerely thank the Erasmus+ internship program for their support, which, along with my family’s assistance, made this stay possible. If you have any further questions, I am happy to help. Thank you!
Writing my Master Thesis in Trondheim
- Chemistry M. Sc.
- Norway, Trondheim
- Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet
- 07/2024 – 01/2025
Figure 1: Cross-country skiing on Finsevatnet in Finse, mid-January. ©Julia Wang
Preparations
People often ask for the reason I chose Norway: Initially, I planned to do an internship in Sweden and then return to Germany for my thesis. Unfortunately, I lost contact to my Swedish prof, and as time was running out, I finished all required internships in Germany. However, I struggled to find a suitable thesis topic, so I decided to write it externally, including universities from countries in Ireland and Scandinavia in my search. I wanted to improve my English skills and also experience a place full of nature I have never been to before. As the nature in Ireland, Sweden, Norway, and Finland is beautiful, I ultimately found that Norway was the best fit for me. It offered a fascinating language but still with the comfort to speak English anytime, stunning landscapes, beautiful nature, a vibrant student city, and an exciting thesis topic.
I came across the topic of my thesis by proactively reaching out to professors working in areas I found particularly intriguing. As a chemistry student, I was often dissatisfied with the specializations at my university, so learning that Norway has a strong focus on environmental chemistry caught my attention. After a response from a professor, we had a brief meeting where he introduced me to a project based within the Arctic Circle, combining environmental chemistry with fundamental research. The process of signing the OLA was incredibly slow, but once that was finalized, there was nothing standing between me and my successful thesis – well, except for one thing: accommodation.
Figure 2: Stunning sunset in Finse, mid-January. ©Julia Wang
Accommodation & Living expenses
Overall, Norway is more expensive in nearly everything, which makes sense given their higher income. Usually, it is possible for exchange students to apply for student dorms (e.g. at Moholt). Those are particularly nice because of the large student communities that make it easy to meet new people. However, since I arrived in the winter semester – when most new local and exchange students come – the dorms were fully booked. As an internship student from Europe, I wasn’t automatically eligible for housing, so I had to request dorm accommodation. Even then, priority is typically given to international students from outside Europe and those attending summer courses at NTNU.
Thus, I ended up looking through the private housing market. Luckily, I found a room in a Norwegian student’s flatshare that was subletting for the exact duration of my stay. The flatshare with 4 people was comparably affordable and with 5300 NOK (everything included) even cheaper than the dorms. My place was located near Solsiden, which wasn’t exactly close to the university, but the area was well-connected by buses. It was also closer to the city center, as Tyholt and Moholt were about a 25-minute bus ride away. Personally, I preferred cycling since it is faster, cheaper, and the terrain was less steep compared to Gløshaugen-Moholt, which was a nice bonus.
As for the general living expenses, being a vegetarian made it a bit challenging to find affordable fresh vegetables, as everything tends to be more expensive and often heavily packaged in plastic. However, you get used to the prices after a while. As someone who loves tofu, I found it difficult to find good, firm Asian-style tofu. Common supermarket chains include Rema1000, Bunnpris, and Coop Mega for cheaper options, while Kiwi and Meny are more expensive. There are also online discounts and QR codes that offer discounts on specific products, and it’s helpful to ask around in ESN groups, as they often share these codes. I also found myself visiting Asian markets, like NM Market for the best deals on rice, soy sauce, and paneer at Melon Midtbyen. In general, products with higher fat, sugar, or imported goods were about twice as expensive as in Germany. However, Norwegians tend to offer larger packaging, which can help reduce the price per unit.
Figure 3: Parts of Longyearbyen and the Adventfjorden from the Varden viewpoint (left) and Svalbard reindeer in the middle of town (right). ©Julia Wang
Everyday life/the internship
Since I was doing my master thesis, my workload was higher compared to an average exchange student. I did miss out a bit on some activities since I was less flexible and had less free time. However, Norwegian work culture is much more chill and laid back than back in Germany. Nobody will ask you to come early and nobody cares if you leave early. Therefore, you need even more discipline to stay on track. Typical work hours in Norway are from 8am to 4pm. Afterwards, people head home for dinner. Many shops also close around 4 or 5 pm, so it’s a good idea to check their hours in advance to plan accordingly.
My thesis involved a field trip to Svalbard in mid-August, where I collected samples, spent time in the lab back In Trondheim, and then focused on writing the thesis. The working groups at NTNU are pretty small, so it is easy to get an overview but I rarely met everyone at once. Knowing how close people work together in working groups in Germany, sometimes I felt a bit lonely and disconnected from PhD or master students. However, I also enjoyed the independence I had to plan my own research, discuss it with my professor (who, by the way, dedicated a lot more time to me than the average professor in Germany would for a master’s student), and work closely with my supervisor. I also enjoyed the flexibility in how I structured my daily work and writing process.
In the evenings, I usually took part in various free-time activities including choir, anime screenings, board games, swimming, 3D printing, sewing, knitting, or baking. On weekends, I usually met up with friends, did my chores, or went on hikes and trips around the area. Sometimes, and further. With a bit of planning, you can easily bring your work with you, as many trains offer Wi-Fi! That way, you can explore places like Åndalsnes, Bergen, Finse (!!!), and more.
Figure 4: Stunning lakes and rivers found during hikes across Norway. Grytvatnet is found close to Vinjeøra, (upper left), Stordamvatnet is close to Lundamo (upper right), Hurrungsvatnet is near Åndalsnes (bottom left), and the Glomma river runs through Rørøs (bottom right). ©Julia Wang
Free time/tips
Trondheim is a big student city, so you will find all kinds of people. While connecting with international students was quite easy, since everyone is desperate to find friends, I was more interested stepping outside the Erasmus bubble and meeting Norwegians. And the stereotype holds true: While Norwegians are friendly and somehow open to start a conversation, there can still be a sense of distance. Personally, I’ve never been the most social or chatty person, so I always struggled to form deeper connections with anyone. That said, living with Norwegians and joining Norwegian clubs really helped me engage more with locals.
Norway is known for its stunning and beautiful nature (northern lights, midnight sun, mountains, fjords, lush green forests wherever you go!) and almost all Norwegians are big sports enthusiasts. NTNU has a student organization called NTNUI, where you can sign up for various sports clubs. Its very close to what American sports teams are like. People are competitive and passionate about their activities. If you want to try something typical Norwegian: You can join a group that teaches halling, a traditional Norwegian dance, or even take up sword fighting through another separate group.
Figure 5: Because scenary with water is so beautiful: The stunning Nyastølfossen is found close to Kinsarvik on a 3-4 waterfall hike (left) and the beautiful sunset over Vinjefjorden can be observed in Vinjeøra (right). ©Julia Wang
If you are not into sports, there are still many student groups you can join: As for me, I joined a group called PVV for board games and anime. In general, they have a different focus but they also offer great social activities. I also joined a choir (NTNU motettkor), conducted by one of Norway’s most famous conductors and a group of Norwegian music students. The group was a fun mix of exchange students and locals, and the conductor was incredibly motivating, making it a truly enjoyable experience. Another popular hobby in Norway is knitting, with knitting events often hosted at cafés or yarn shops. It’s a relaxing activity, especially on those cold, rainy days. I also had the chance to learn 3D printing and practice sewing at the MakeNTNU workshop, where you can book time on a machine to create whatever you like (They are getting new printers, finally!!).
Another great place that offers cool events is the student building down the road from the technical university building: Studentersamfundet. It is definitely worth a visit, as they offer concerts, talk shows, discussions, I addition to having restaurants and more.
As for Trondheim, nature is incredibly accessible. You can enjoy small walks along the coast to the fjord in Lademoen, hikes in Estenstadmarka to the southeast, or head to Bymarka to the west. In winter, Bymarka is perfect for cross-country skiing. For bigger adventures, the ESN group organizes trips to Lofoten, Lapland, and other places. Otherwise, it is advisable to form small groups and rent a car to get around, especially in winter. While many people opt for Airbnbs, I highly recommend trying the great network of cabins in Norway! NTNUI Koiene have basic cabins around Trøndelag but personally, I suggest going for the DNT cabins as they are more spacious and comfortable.
Figure 6: The common room in the DNT Brebua cabin in Finse (upper left), the DNT Venjedalsbu cabin close to Åndalsnes (upper right), a private cabin at Bymarka close to Ringvål (bottom left), and the Flåkoia NTNUI cabin near Lundamo (bottom right). ©Julia Wang
Conclusion
If you are an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys nature and want to experience a new culture during your internship or your thesis with excellent supervision and a nice work environment, I definitely recommend Norway. Not only did I gain insight into the country and its people, but I also embraced a new way of living my life while staying productive. There are plenty of opportunities and activities that allow you to connect with others. You just have to step out of your comfort zone and start engaging people!
I hope you enjoy your time here as much as I did if you choose Norway.
P.S. Yes, it does get pretty dark and depressing from November to February (Average daylight around 5h in Trondheim). But trust me, the experience alone is worth it. Plus, the midnight sun and longer days in summer make up for it!