Paula

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

I first heard of the Marshall Plan Scholarship trough the UAS Technikum Wien, and therefore decided to take a closer look into research institutions in the USA in the field of my interest. This way I came across the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab which is connected to the Northwestern University in Chicago. I applied directly at the head of the research group with a motivational letter and my CV. As a recommendation for future visiting scholars, I would be specific about what research you are interested in and in what projects you could imagine participating in.

What practical arrangements have you made before the exchange?

Before my stay in Chicago, I had to apply for the J1-visa. The whole process can take a while, which is why I would recommend applying for the visa, as soon as you get accepted. Most of the necessary documents should be provided by the host institution. Depending on the internship or job, the host institution might require different insurances as well as vaccination requirements. I looked for different accommodations via common websites for this area as well as facebook groups and came across a co-living space that offered rooms for a short-term lease.

What kind of financial arrangements did you have to take care of?

I was financially supported by the Marshall Plan Scholarship Foundation. However, this was not enough to cover my entire stay, which is way I had to finance the rest personally. Chicago has very high rental prices ($1000 for a room with shared kitchen and bathroom), especially compared to Austria. Further, general living costs can be quite expensive as well, which is why a reasonable budget should be considered.

How were you greeted, trained and welcomed by the company?

I was welcomed very nicely at the lab. I had a few orientation days in the beginning, where I got to know all colleagues as well as projects they are working on. This made my arrival very easy. Additionally, it was very helpful to have a contact person, also prior to my stay, who helped me with all my concerns and questions.

Please describe your accomodation

As described above, I lived in a co-living space where I had my own room. I shared a bathroom with one other girl and a kitchen with 5 other housemates. My room and the kitchen were fully equipped, which was really helpful so I didn’t have to buy any utilities for my short stay of 5 months. The house was located in a nice student area, just a bit north of downtown Chicago.

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

Chicago is a very diverse and international city, which is why it was made very easy for me to arrive and settle in. If you yourself are an outgoing personality, it is easy to meet open-minded people and make new friend. Nevertheless, the city can also feel a bit overwhelming with all the skyscrapers and lots of people. But this also means that it has a lot to offer in terms of leisure activities.

How would you describe the internship?

The Regenstein Center of Bionic Medicine (CBM), as part of the Shirley Ryan ability lab, focuses on research for groundbreaking upper and lower limb prosthetic solutions. A diverse group of people from a variety of backgrounds, including engineers, therapists and prosthetists work closely in a team to achieve the greatest developments. Due to the direct connection to the hospital, the research can be applied immediately and testes with the user, which allows to evaluate and examine research results and developments in a minimum time frame. I wrote my master thesis during my stay there, in the field of powered prosthetics. I had an entire project team with whom I worked closely together to achieve my goals. Regardless of this, I was continuously given the chance to ask the whole team for help or support.

What new skills and qualities have you acquired?

I had a lot of fun and gained unique experiences. I was also challenged, and sometimes it can be exhausting. Especially in research, not everything always goes according to plan. However, with lot of flexibility and endurance, everything worked out in the end. This way I learned a lot of skills regarding working with colleagues and in a performance-driven environment.enthalten.

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

During my stay, I especially appreciated the help of colleagues, and I would like to pass this on to others in the future. I have learned a lot in interacting with colleagues and in the working environment, which will certainly help me in my future career to quickly integrate into teams.

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

I think the greatest challenge was the application for the scholarship, as it required detailed information about my project at a time when only rough topics

had been determined. Other than that, I encountered small challenges every now and then, but with the right attitude and help from other people, they are easy to overcome.

What was your most positive experience during your stay abroad?

Looking back, I am very grateful that I was given the chance to participate in this program. This has enabled me not only to gain intensive insights into current research but also to actively participate in it. In addition, I am very grateful for all the unique and inspiring people I met during my stay in Chicago.