Nadine from INSAT-Tunis, Tunisia, spent six months at the Institute of Internal Combustion Engines and Fuel Cells
I stayed in Braunschweig, a city recognized for its orderly and picturesque environment. Even under cloudy skies, Braunschweig maintained the warmth in both its community and atmosphere, ensuring the city remained vibrant and inviting. During this period, I stayed at a shared student dorm, an enriching experience that gave me the opportunity to interact with people from various nationalities, each one contributing a unique perspective and cultural background.
I arrived in Braunschweig from Tunisia as an exchange student, pursuing my studies in Industrial Chemistry Engineering at INSAT (the National Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology). A scholarship from the SE²A Cluster of Excellence under the SE²A International Female Programme facilitated my stay in the city. The remarkable opportunity to undertake a six-month internship was complemented by significant support from the International House at TU Braunschweig. They were instrumental in answering all my queries and assisting me in matters ranging from city registration to identifying suitable courses and activities for international students.
As part of my internship at the Institute of Internal Combustion Engines and Fuel Cells (IVB) at TU Braunschweig, I was engaged with the Fuel Cells Group, focusing my end-of-studies project on researching the impacts of cosmic radiation on proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells for aviation applications. To simulate the effects of cosmic radiation, we subjected our samples to neutron beams generated at the PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt) accelerator facility. This presented an extraordinary first-hand experience of participating in a high-stake experiment within a functioning particle accelerator.
The project posed an intriguing challenge, obliging me to engage with two subjects where I had limited experience in: fuel cells and cosmic radiation. Fortunately, the unwavering support of my supervisor, Lennart Kösters, along with the aid offered by other PhD candidates at ivb, was instrumental. They simplified the more intricate components of my project, providing resources such as pertinent research articles and involving me in electrochemical characterization tests.
During my engineering studies in Tunisia, I had a long-time goal to do my final graduation project abroad. The chance to work in a different culture and academic environment, especially at a well-known university like TU Braunschweig, was simply irresistible. Germany has an excellent reputation in engineering and technology, and I was eager to be part of this research environment.
Yes, I can see myself staying in Braunschweig. I was offered a PhD position in the same place where I did my internship. I really like both the work environment and the city itself, so I decided to accept the offer and continue my research here.
Spending the summer semester in Braunschweig was lively and fun. The city had many festivals and activities, and I was lucky to enjoy them in great weather. I took a German language course and made friends from different countries, such as India and Brazil. We spent time together having picnics, visiting museums, riding pedal boats on the Oker River, trying local food, and going to city festivals.
The transportation in Braunschweig was really good. Trains, metros, and buses always ran on time. And, the city was well-connected, so I could easily go on day trips to places like Berlin, Hannover, and smaller towns like Harz and Kassel. I also loved the historical buildings, gardens, local parks, and lively city centres in Germany.
Another standout aspect was the welcoming work environment at the institute. Everyone was very professional yet kind. My colleagues made my days enjoyable, even though I was often the only international and sometimes the only woman in the group. They made a genuine effort to include me, engaging in lunchtime conversations that ranged from future travel plans to recommendations for the best culinary spots around Braunschweig.
When I first arrived in Braunschweig, I found out how helpful it was to know some German. Thankfully, I took an A1-level German class before coming, which made things easier. I also noticed that everything shuts down on Sundays! This was a surprise for me because in Tunisia, Sundays are a busy day. Lastly, I learned that "spicy" food here doesn't quite live up to the Tunisian idea of "spicy". In the end, I brought my own Harissa paste (a spicy pepper paste) to give my meals a taste of home!
The biggest challenge during my stay was the language. Inside the university, it was easy to communicate in English. But, outside, it was sometimes tough to handle everyday situations without knowing much German. Even so, the locals were very friendly and often helped out, even working through the language barrier.
I brought back a bag filled with souvenirs from gift shops, but also a wealth of experiences and lessons. Beyond the technical skills, my internship taught me a lot about life. I've grown more confident, adaptable, and open to new experiences. When I went back to Tunisia, I not only had friendships with people from around the world but also a strong passion for research. I'm excited to take this passion forward in the PhD position the institute offered me.
Tips for other students who want to go abroad:
If you're thinking about studying abroad, here are some tips. Start learning the local language as early as you can, even the simple things like how to order a coffee can really help! Also, don't be afraid to ask questions or admit you don't know something. It's one of the best ways to learn. I always had a lot of questions and my supervisor even joked about getting me a T-shirt with, "I have a question," on it because I said it so much!
Things you should do in your stay in Braunschweig, Germany:
I want to say a big thank you to everyone I met during my stay in Braunschweig. You made my six months there really joyful and full of great memories. I want to give a special thanks to my colleagues at the institute - Prof. Michael Heere, Lennart, Sunil, Arne, Guang, Ines, Bhav, and anyone I might have missed. Your warm welcome and support during my research meant a lot. Your help really made my experience better. I can't wait to work together with all of you again!