Jelena

How did you find your internship position? How did you apply for it? How did you prepare for your stay abroad?

I found the position by informing myself about the labs and research that is done in the field I was interested in and in cities I would like to stay in. Then I found the emails of professors or PIs available on websites and contacted them. Interested professors replied and I had zoom calls an interviews with them. I prepared my CV and read research papers published by those labs to prepare. After the interview I received an invitation letter. I recommend applying to multiple labs and making sure that the one you select is the right fit. Ask all the questions regarding what will your responsibilities be.

What practical precautions did you take before the exchange?

I had to prepare documents to apply for a visa. All the information is on the website of the embassy of USA. It is not complicated but it can take time, so make sure to start gathering documents as soon as you receive the invitation letter. Insurance options were sent to me by my host University and I selected one of them. The correspondence and acquiring of insurance was easy and straightforward.

What kind of financial arrangements did you have to make?

In order to prove that you have enough to support yourself during your stay in the USA, you are required to have certain amount of funds on your account during visa application. Since I stayed in Miami, living costs were very high.

Please describe your accommodation

I lived with my sister who lives in Miami for quite some time, so I did not have to look for one before arriving.

How would you describe the country, the culture and the leisure activities you experienced during your stay abroad?

One of the best parts of Miami is its cultural diversity. Miami is home to many people from Latin America and the Caribbean, so the city has a strong influence from these places. Spanish is spoken everywhere, and I learned some Spanish words.
My leisure activities involved going to the beach, riding a bike in South beach, playing padel or just walking around.

How would you describe the internship?

The project I worked on required me to apply different skills and knowledge from various fields, such as biomedical engineering, materials science, and cell biology. The infrastructure was good, the campus at FIU is large and you have everything you need. I did not encounter any issues, but if I ever had any questions, they were answered right away. During the internship, I worked on my master’s thesis, which focused on developing a 3D in vitro tumor microenvironment model to study drug diffusion and delivery. This involved creating hydrogel-based models, integrating cells, and analyzing the diffusion behavior.

What new skills and qualities have you acquired?

I improved my English, especially in writing and speaking during presentations and teamwork. Working with people from different cultures helped me develop better social skills and learn how to collaborate effectively. I also became better at learning new things quickly, like understanding new techniques and staying organized while managing tasks. Professionally, I learned how to plan and carry out experiments, analyze data, and write reports.

How have your values and attitudes changed during your stay abroad?

I have learned a lot about different cultures I hadn’t had a chance to experience before. Interacting with people from diverse backgrounds taught me new perspectives, traditions, and ways of thinking. In terms of my career, the internship strengthened my commitment to working in an international environment and collaborating with people from different backgrounds.

Looking back, what was the biggest challenge in preparing for or during your stay abroad?

Acquiring my visa and adapting to being away from my family for 10 months. Preparing the necessary documents and going through the visa process was a bit stressful and time-consuming. During my stay, experiencing Florida’s hurricane season was something I was not used to.

What was your most positive experience during your stay abroad?

What was your most positive experience during your stay abroad?

My most positive experience during my stay abroad was gaining valuable skills while working on my project and meeting amazing people. I learned a lot from my colleagues. I also enjoyed spending time at the beach, relaxing by the ocean and walking around in nice weather.