Schlagwort: ‘United States’
My research stay at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- 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.
My Research Stay at UC Berkeley
- PhD Candidate for Electrical Engineering
- USA, Berkeley
- University of California, Berkeley
- 05/2025-08/2025
- Preparation and organization of the stay:
I am currently in my final year of my PhD at the Center for Ageing, Reliability and Lifetime Prediction for Power Electronics and Electrochemical Systems (CARL), RWTH Aachen, where I work on analyzing the aging mechanisms of batteries using experimental and simulation-based data. Battery research is highly interdisciplinary, combining knowledge of electrochemical processes, experimental setups, engineering, and data analysis. Spending part of my research abroad had always been very important to me, as it offered the chance to gain new perspectives and access complementing expertise for my research. The energy, controls, and applications lab (eCAL) at UC Berkeley, with its expertise in algorithms, lifetime analysis, and data-driven methods, complemented my background and offered the expertise I needed for my analyses. To prepare for my time there, I organized the battery aging measurements I had started at RWTH Aachen so that they could be analyzed once I arrived at the lab. A professor at my institute from RWTH Aachen put me in contact with my host supervisor.
Organizing the logistics of a research stay in the US can be challenging. Finding accommodation in Berkeley on short notice was not easy, so I opted for an Airbnb, while shared apartments or nearby cities like Oakland offered more affordable alternatives.
- First steps after arrival in host country:
By chance, my first day at UC Berkeley coincided with the annual eCAL retreat, where we went lawn bowling and had dinner afterward. It turned out to be the perfect way to meet the whole group in a relaxed setting and to get to know the PhD students right away. Everyone was very welcoming, and a few of them gave me a tour of the lab. I also met my host professor in person that day, which made it easy to settle in and feel like I could start my research stay right away.
Campus of UC Berkeley
©Katharina Quade
- Academic experience:
eCAL had the feel of a close-knit group: about ten PhD students worked under the supervision of my host professor, supported by a handful of bachelor’s and master’s students. The culture and PhD process at UC Berkeley was noticeably different from what I was used to in Germany. At RWTH Aachen, PhD students often supervise theses and work closely with student assistants, whereas in Berkeley the emphasis was much more on individual projects and dissertation work without relying on large infrastructure and equipment. This meant fewer administrative and organizational duties for the PhD students at UC Berkeley, allowing researchers to focus deeply on their own topics. Each environment had its own strengths and weaknesses, and this exchange gave me the opportunity to integrate the strengths of the US PhD system into my work at RWTH Aachen.
The lab’s relatively small size made it easy to settle in and even though the students were spread across different campus buildings, communication was open and effortless. eCAL was also highly international, with students from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds. This diversity enriched our exchanges, blending technical discussions with cultural perspectives and insights into PhD programs.
- Financing:
The cost of living in the US, especially in the Bay Area, is quite high, covering groceries, leisure activities, and daily expenses. Fortunately, I lived close to a Trader Joe’s, which offered relatively affordable groceries. Getting to San Francisco on the weekends was very convenient thanks to the BART train, while within the city, buses and the metro were the main public transport options. For trips outside the Bay Area, having a car is essential. Renting a car in the US is comparatively affordable, but it requires a credit card.
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The Golden Gate Bridge on a sunny day. San Francisco is just about 30 minutes away from Berkeley by train.
©Katharina QuadeLeisure:
Berkeley itself is a relatively small city in the East Bay, and since my stay took place during the summer semester, both the campus and the city were fairly quiet. Overall, I really enjoyed Berkeley and San Francisco as the area has a lot to offer, both culturally and culinarily. I visited Alcatraz, explored several exhibitions, and had excellent food in Chinatown and Little Italy. One thing to keep in mind, though, is the microclimates in the bay area: it can quickly turn cold, windy, or foggy.
California’s landscapes are incredibly diverse, and it is the US state with the most national parks. Many of them are accessible from the bay area, though usually a car is necessary. During my stay, I was able to visit Yosemite, Sequoia, Redwood, and Death Valley National Parks, each was impressive in its own way. I was particularly fascinated by how different the scenery can be within a single state: from the forests of Redwoods and Sequoias to the dry, hot desert landscapes of Death Valley.
- What added value did the stay have for my career prospects?
My research stay abroad was an important step for my professional development. It allowed me to work in an international research environment and gain insights into different academic cultures and PhD systems. I strengthened my expertise in advanced battery data analysis and honed my ability to work in interdisciplinary, multicultural teams. Global issues like climate change can only be addressed collectively, and this experience highlighted how much progress depends on collaboration across borders and disciplines.
- To what extent does my stay abroad have a sustainable character?
My stay abroad had a lasting impact in several ways. Beyond my own research, I built professional connections with professors, startups, and companies at UC Berkeley, creating opportunities for future collaboration. Networking is crucial in academia, and I am confident these contacts will remain valuable. I am still in touch with several PhD students and look forward to meeting them again in the future.
- Conclusion:
My time in California was definitely both professionally and personally rewarding. Engaging with students from diverse countries brought new perspectives to my work and daily life. Most importantly, the stay allowed me to focus and collaborate intensively on my research, which was crucial for successfully completing my PhD and ultimately deepened my passion for science and research.
My Research Stay at the University of South Carolina Upstate
- PhD Candidate in Business Economics
- USA, South Carolina
- University of South Carolina Upstate
- 09/2024 – 11/2024
Preparation
I had been a PhD student at RWTH Aachen for a few years and working abroad had always been something I’d like to do. As part of my research, last year I had the opportunity to start collaborating with a professor from the University of South Carolina Upstate. When I asked for the possibility to visit the US and work together from there, she was on board immediately. So, the planning began…
Planning a trip to the United States is definitely an administrative task, and I quickly realized that I had to take it step by step. After settling on a rough timeframe with my PhD supervisor and my hosting professor, I contacted the travel department of the university and booked my flights to and from the US. Talking to colleagues who had already been abroad and looking up to-do lists online was very helpful to figure out what steps to take, e.g. requesting a letter of confirmation from the host university or getting an international license. I started the organization process half a year before my stay, which was a convenient timeframe to organize everything.
Main building of the University of South Carolina Upstate. ©Maren Paegert
Accommodation & Living Expenses
Living expenses in the US are higher than in Germany, especially food prices. Eating out will cost around $ 20-30 for one meal. Grocery prices can be two to three times as expensive as in Germany, even for things like bread, a package of cheese, or some chocolate. This is just something to know and budget for. For my stay, I applied for and got granted the RWTH Aachen Research Ambassador Scholarship, which helped in covering some of those expenses.
As for my accommodation, I ended up booking an apartment in a complex which was specialized in short-term leases for extended business stays. I would recommend to book directly over the apartment’s website, since I experienced a cancellation several days after booking over a third-party platform. Other good options for a stay in the US are Apps such as Airbnb. In my case, there was no student housing available, but that would be another option in general.
College of Business and Economics. ©Maren Paegert
Everyday Life and Research Stay
I had my own office at the guest university and was able to experience everyday working life in the United States. Overall, working as Academic staff in the US is quite similar to Germany in many ways, with some cultural differences.
Also, I stayed in one of the Southern States of the US, and Southern hospitality is something I definitely experienced! Everyone was very friendly, open and attentive, which I enjoyed a lot. The professor I worked with was a great host, and I quickly met some amazing colleagues. The area offered a lot of places to explore, and I enjoyed walks in the park, going out for meals, shopping, the cinema, going to the gym, and running. One of my favorite experiences is that I was able to give my own lecture at the university and get into contact with many very curious students.
Another highlight was the last week of my stay, when we attended a conference in Virginia and I presented our research there. Overall, meeting an international community and collaborating was a very rewarding experience.
Conclusion
I can highly recommend to work or study abroad for a while. If that has been on your bucket list for some time, like in my case, be proactive and just do it!
Writing my master’s thesis in California
- Environmental Engineering M.Sc.
- Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
- January 2022 – August 2022
My stay abroad at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (California) was 8 months long, from January 2022 to August 2022. During this time, I was doing research for my master’s thesis (Process Engineering) and did not collect any CPs as a student at UC Berkeley.
Preparations:
I started contacting professors from UC Berkeley, asking for an opportunity to research on my master’s thesis without having a concrete topic. Through several emails and zoom meetings I was invited as a “visiting student researcher” at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), the equivalent to the “Frauenhofer Institut” in Germany. I had to apply for a J1 Exchange Student Visa, which meant filling out many documents and a lot of planning. In total, this process (called Free Mover) took almost a year before I was able to fly to San Francisco International Airport to start my research beginning of January 2022.
Living:
I found a shared apartment via craigslist close to my work and close to the campus. Do not underestimate the costs of living in the Bay area. For my room in a normal sized apartment with three housemates and a garden I paid $950. Food is as well a big expense, for example, a loaf bread costs $9 compared to a German 3€ loaf. Expensive is as well eating out (Pizza $15 compared to 5€) or having drinks (Beer $10 compared to 3€). But the food scene in Berkeley/Oakland/San Francisco is very versatile and vibrant, which surprised me. This all-year-great weather leads to people being active and sociable no matter how expensive life is.
Culture:
Near Berkeley is Oakland, a larger city that has become very attractive to the middle class. In Oakland, you can witness the process of gentrification, which means that the wealthy young generation is taking over an entire neighborhood from the poorer population. Oakland has a vibrant, fascinating culture on one side and crime and poverty on the other. To the west of Berkeley is San Francisco, which can be reached in about 20 minutes by BART, the local subway (cost $5, use ClipperCard). Berkeley is rather a quiet
University town, whereas SF is a magnet for tourists. The best places in SF are the Golden Gate Park (in the center of the city), the Dolores Park (a very crowded park, full of locals), Chinatown and Ocean Beach, there are as well great bars and festivals all year round. North of SF you can go hiking along the coast (Marin County, Point Reyes). In the south is Stanford University with a beautiful campus (Palo Alto). Must-see are as well: Napa Valley and Sonoma County (the wine regions of CA, 1 hour car ride from Berkeley), Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, and Big Sur (each 3 hours car ride from Berkeley).
Daily Life:
Since I was not an official student of the UC Berkeley, I was not able to create a membership for the on-campus gym. Instead, I got a membership at the YMCA gym in Downtown Berkeley, very close to my apartment. I spent the day in the lab working on my research, ate lunch there with colleagues, and then went to the gym. In the evenings, I often took walks to the Rose Garden in Berkeley, hiked around the Fire Trails, watched the sunset at the Berkeley Marina or on top of the Indian Rocks in Berkeley. When spending the weekend in Berkeley, I usually went to: University Ave (Downtown), Southside (the equivalent to the Ponte in Aachen, in South Berkeley), to Temescal (South Berkeley, on the edge to Oakland) and Solano Ave (on the edge to Albany). When I was writing for my thesis, I enjoyed going to the many libraries the campus has to offer (the best being DOE library) and cafes, like Strada, Blue Bottle, Berkeley Espresso and Yali’s. Other things I liked to do: Yoga at Ohlone Park, Sunday food at “Thai Temple” (Wat Mongkolratanaram from 10am-1pm), biking to Lake Temescal.
© Emna Aidi
Last Advice:
You will need at least half a year to plan such a research stay abroad. I created a one-page leaflet about my idea to work on my master’s thesis, listing my relevant coursework I took at the RWTH Aachen University and my interests in which I would like to work. I sent it to professors, who seemed to work on similar topics, and kept asking them to help me forward my email to others as well. Apply for scholarships since the research stay will be very expensive (Auslandsbafög, RWTH Research Ambassador, Promos DAAD, GIZ).
View: At the LBNL (located on a hill) overlooking the UC Berkeley campus and San Francisco with the Golden Gate Bridge.
