Intern Abroad

• PhD Candidate for Economics
• USA, Milwaukee
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• 08/2025 – 01/2026

Preparation and organization of the stay

The preparation of the research stay was smooth and well organized. Together with my doctoral supervisor at RWTH Aachen University, I contacted a distinguished professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee via email. I was familiar with his work from numerous academic publications, including several joint papers with German scholars. He responded very positively and was highly supportive, which made arranging the research visit straightforward.

Following his invitation, I applied for and obtained a J-1 visa. The language requirement for the visa process was limited to providing proof of at least a B2 level in English. Health insurance was a required component of the stay; I chose ISO Health Insurance to meet this requirement. Throughout the preparation process, the Center for International Education at the host university, as well as the secretariat of the Economics Department, provided valuable guidance and administrative support.

Accommodation was arranged through the host university’s housing services, and I was able to stay as an external guest in a one-bedroom apartment in one of the university residence halls. I booked the flights several months in advance, from Frankfurt to Milwaukee.

Shortly before departure, I finalized additional arrangements, such as organizing a mobile phone plan, obtaining a suitable power adapter, obtaining US Dollars and ensuring access to a credit card. Overall, the administrative and logistical preparation for the research stay was efficient and well supported.

First steps after arrival in host country

I arrived in the host country at the end of July, taking advantage of the possibility to enter up to 30 days before the official start of the research stay. This allowed me to adjust to the time difference and become familiar with the city.

Statue on Milwaukee River Walk
©International Office

During the first days, I stayed in an Airbnb apartment before moving into Kenilworth Square, one of the university residence halls. The accommodation there was of very high quality. I lived on the seventh (top) floor and had a view of Lake Michigan. The apartment was quiet, well equipped and provided all essential household items, including kitchen utensils. In addition, a 24/7 service desk was available.

Shortly after arrival, I explored the university campus and discovered that a free shuttle bus operates between Kenilworth Square and the main campus. I was able to use this service after obtaining a student card at the Student Union. I also completed the required registration at the Center for International Education.

Before officially starting my research stay on August 1, I had the opportunity to meet my supervising professor for a meal, which provided a welcoming and informal introduction to the host institution and helped establish a productive working relationship from the outset.

Academic/professional experience

I was not formally enrolled as an employee or PhD student at the host university and therefore did not have to pay any tuition or enrollment fees. The Economics Department consisted of approximately 15 professors and 15 PhD students. Interestingly, there were also three other permanent German PhD students present through an exchange program with the University of Giessen.

I was provided with my own office. I was allowed to attend the economics courses, including both classes taught by fellow PhD students and PhD-level courses led by faculty professors. In particular, I found the quality of the PhD courses to be very high. The courses emphasized interactive teaching methods, including quizzes, incentives for active class participation (e.g., bonus assignments) and innovative exam formats.

During my stay, I worked closely with my supervising professor on two research papers in the area of performance pay. We met regularly to discuss progress, which made the collaboration highly productive. I also had frequent and productive exchanges with other PhD students about our research. Overall, the department fostered a very supportive and collegial research environment and I experienced a strong sense of cooperation and mutual assistance among faculty and doctoral researchers.

Me during my EconClub Presentation
©International Office

The department also offered a vibrant academic seminar culture. Weekly Wednesday “labor lunch talks” allowed PhD students to present their research; I presented one of my RWTH research projects in this forum. In addition, a Friday seminar series regularly invited external researchers to present their work. Beyond academic seminars, the university hosted numerous professional and career-oriented events. For example, a representative from the Milwaukee Bucks’ data analytics department gave an insightful talk about applied data work in professional sports.

During my stay, an Economics Club was founded, and I participated in its biweekly meetings. Toward the end of my visit, I gave a presentation about RWTH Aachen University and my research group in this Economics Club, comparing academic structures and research environments between RWTH and UWM.

On a personal level, I found the academic community to be exceptionally welcoming. I developed close friendships with fellow PhD students and we frequently engaged in both academic and social activities together. The widely held view that people in the US Midwest are particularly friendly was strongly reflected in my experience.

Financing

The overall costs associated with the research stay were manageable but higher than typical living expenses in Germany. Expenses related to the visa application, health insurance and administrative requirements amounted to approximately USD 500. Round-trip flight tickets cost around USD 800.

Transportation costs were relatively low due to the availability of a free university shuttle and complimentary UWM taxi services after 6 p.m. As a result, I only occasionally purchased public bus tickets to travel to downtown Milwaukee, which cost USD 2.75 per trip.

Housing represented the largest expense. I paid USD 2,100 per month (including utilities) for my apartment at Kenilworth Square. This rate was relatively high because I stayed as an external guest; official PhD students typically pay around USD 700 per month for comparable university housing. In addition, longer-term rental options in the private market, especially unfurnished one-bedroom apartments, are available at significantly lower prices (approximately starting from USD 1,000 per month including utilities).

In general, the cost of living in the US is higher than in Germany, although Milwaukee is considered a comparatively affordable city within the US. Food expenses were noticeably higher than at home. I frequently shopped at Whole Foods, with Pick ‘n Save serving as a somewhat more affordable alternative nearby. Grocery shopping often amounted to around USD 50 for a small number of items. However, the university provided a food pantry, where students could obtain free groceries up to three times per month. Eating out can be relatively inexpensive when using fast-food options. I spent several hundred dollars per month on leisure activities, although many free or low-cost recreational opportunities were available in the city and on campus.

To support my stay, I received € 3,000 through the RWTH Research Ambassador Program.

Leisure

Milwaukee offers a wide range of leisure and cultural opportunities. Before my stay, I had not fully realized how much the city has to offer, but I found it to be a vibrant and, in my view, underrated destination. The city features several sandy beaches along Lake Michigan, beautiful parks and notable cultural attractions such as the Harley-Davidson Museum and the Milwaukee Art Museum. I particularly enjoyed exploring local cafés, cinemas, the Milwaukee Public Market and various farmers’ markets and festivals such as the German Fest or the Summer Music Fest.

Sports and live entertainment are also a major part of the city’s culture. The Milwaukee Bucks play at the Fiserv Forum, which regularly hosts both NBA games and concerts. The city is also home to the Milwaukee Brewers, who reached the semifinals of the MLB during my stay. One of my more unique experiences was visiting a shooting range with a fellow PhD student and watching an IndyCar race. Joe Cat’s is a popular bar on Brady Street, one of Milwaukee’s main nightlife areas. Water Street also offers many lively venues for going out. The university provided many free recreational opportunities, including billiards, bowling, gaming facilities and a fully equipped fitness center with a gym, basketball court, swimming pool, racquetball courts and group exercise rooms. Wisconsin itself has strong German cultural influences and is well known for its breweries, beer culture, cheese curds and frozen custard.

Me in Lambeau Field, Green Bay
©International Office

Milwaukee’s location makes it convenient for regional travel. Chicago in Illinois is less than two hours away by train, and I visited several times to experience its architecture and the river walk. I also traveled with a fellow PhD student to Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, where we explored the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, its impressive sports facilities and the State Capitol building. Additionally, I took a train trip to Minneapolis, Minnesota to explore the city. Toward the end of my stay, I traveled with another PhD student to Green Bay to visit the Packers stadium, and then to Door County, known for its scenic parks and charming small towns.

The climate in Milwaukee is quite extreme. Winters are very cold and snowy, with temperatures dropping to around -25°C on several days, making it very suitable for winter sports. In contrast, summers are warmer than in Germany, and the city feels especially vibrant after the long winter months.

I also traveled with my boyfriend to the Rocky Mountains and the East Coast during a two-week summer vacation, and spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve with my great-aunt’s family in Seattle. Flights within the US are usually inexpensive and there is so much to see, so I highly recommend traveling.

What added value did the stay have for my studies/career prospects?

The research stay significantly strengthened my academic profile by expanding my international research experience, deepening my expertise in labor economics and leading to productive research collaborations, including joint papers. It also broadened my professional network and improved my ability to work in an international research environment, which will be highly beneficial for my future career.

Beyond my personal career development, the stay contributes to society by fostering international knowledge exchange and strengthening research ties between German and US institutions. By sharing my experiences and research results with colleagues and students at RWTH and UWM, I help transfer knowledge and encourage future international academic cooperation.

To what extent does my stay abroad have a sustainable character?

The stay has a strong sustainable impact, as it led to long-term academic collaborations and personal connections that will continue beyond the visit. I plan to maintain close research ties with my supervising professor and to pursue further joint projects with PhD students at the host institution. In addition, the friendships I built and the continued exchange with colleagues foster lasting international networks. These ongoing collaborations support sustained knowledge transfer and contribute to long-term cooperation between RWTH and UWM.

Conclusion

Overall, my research stay was an extremely rewarding experience. I learned a great deal, both academically and personally, and had the opportunity to meet many inspiring and talented people. Living in Milwaukee was very enjoyable. I am confident that I will return in the future and continue meeting with the people I connected with during my stay. I would like to sincerely thank my supervisor and his wife for their support and hospitality throughout my stay.