Intern Abroad

• Chemistry M.Sc.
• United Kingdom, Cambridge
• University of Cambridge
• 10/2025 – 03/2026

Before the stay

Before organizing the internship, I asked myself: What do I want to get out of such an experience. From a career/academic point of view, I wanted to improve my English language skills in both everyday life and academic environments, my chemistry skills and learn from other talented people. Nevertheless, I also aimed to experience the student life in another country. With that I was able to narrow it down to the UK, and I applied to several professors at Cambridge whose research matched my field of interest. Fortunately, after a short Zoom meeting about potential research projects, I received an offer for an internship. From that point onward, two main bureaucratic matters had to be handled. The receiving institution required a number of documents and even after submitting those, the review process took quite a long time (2 Months) , and I received my invitation letter only four weeks before the start of the stay. The second aspect was the Erasmus+ process, which, in comparison, required much less time.

Accommodation/Expenses

Kings College Chapel at night.
©International Office

Since short-term visiting students in Cambridge are generally not eligible for accommodation in a college dormitory, finding housing required some additional effort. Nevertheless, colleges may offer available rooms to visiting students if vacancies exist. For this reason, I contacted several accommodation officers of colleges located near my department and eventually received an offer. However, the room was relatively far from my department and also much more expensive than other options. In addition, access would have been limited to the accommodation itself, without the wider benefits of college facilities.

I therefore decided to continue searching through the University accommodation website. There, I found a room close to my department that was being sublet by an older couple for around €750 per month.  This turned out to be a very fortunate arrangement. The couple was extremely kind and always made sure that I was doing well. They also helped me connect with other communities, which made settling into life in Cambridge much easier.

In Cambridge, the easiest and most convenient means of transportation is usually a second-hand bicycle. For groceries, the cheapest options are generally ALDI and LIDL.

Everyday life

Gonville & Caius College at night.
©International Office

The research group, which mostly consisted of British students, welcomed me warmly and introduced me to everyone from the very beginning. On weekdays, I usually worked in the laboratory from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. However, there was a certain degree of flexibility, so I was also allowed to leave earlier or work longer when necessary. My daily laboratory work generally involved the planning, execution, and evaluation of experiments. Whenever support was needed, other group members were always very helpful and provided training or advice. In addition, my supervisor checked in regularly and offered useful suggestions and ideas. Nevertheless, I worked mostly independently, which I appreciated very much. It allowed me to pursue my own ideas and approaches while still having support available whenever needed. In the group meetings, I presented my research results, and challenges or problems were discussed on a regular basis. This not only gave me valuable feedback on my own work but also allowed me to gain insight into other projects within the group. As a result, I was able to further improve both my problem-solving abilities and my communication skills. On special occasions, we went for lunch together, and after work we occasionally met at pubs.

Oxford University.
©International Office

On weekends, I had the opportunity to explore Cambridge and its surroundings. I would strongly recommend visiting the colleges, as they are one of the most distinctive and impressive aspects of the city. Fortunately, my landlord, who was a former student, gave me several tours and was able to share interesting background knowledge. I would also highly recommend attending a “formal”, which is a traditional formal dinner held in a college. To take part in one, it is usually necessary to know someone who can invite you, and formal clothing is required for the occasion.

Besides that, I visited other tourist attractions in Cambridge, such as museums and shops. I also took trips to London and Oxford together with other international students from my department. London is definitely worth visiting because of its many famous and historic landmarks. Oxford, although quite similar to Cambridge in some ways, is also well worth a trip!

Conclusion

Academically, my internship was a very valuable experience. I learned a number of important laboratory techniques and practical skills, but also gained insight into how to manage my own project and develop original ideas independently. In this respect, the stay helped me grow as a laboratory researcher. In addition, I clearly improved my English skills. By working and communicating in English every day, I became much more fluent both in an academic context and in everyday life.

On a personal level, I also benefited greatly from the experience. I made a few friends, primarily within the research group, with whom I hope to stay in contact in the future. Overall, the internship was both academically and personally enriching, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to have spent this time in Cambridge.