Internship in Groningen, Netherlands
Phillip,
Engineering Physics
My Experiences with…
Searching for an Internship Placement and Application
The search for a suitable internship position was overall uncomplicated, but it was also facilitated by some fortunate circumstances. Since I had a clear idea from the beginning about the research area in which I wanted to work, I first approached a professor whose research group is active in this field. I asked him if he could recommend suitable research groups in Europe and possibly establish a contact. He then recommended the research group in Groningen, with which there was already a very good professional connection. Additionally, the University of Groningen is a partner university of the Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, which simplified the organizational process.
My experiences with… finding accommodation and traveling
Finding accommodation was the biggest challenge in preparing for my stay. There is a severe housing shortage in Groningen, and the university does not have its own student dormitories. In the Netherlands, many apartments are offered by companies or private landlords, who sometimes exploit this situation by charging very high rental prices. Additionally, my stay was less than six months, which made things more difficult since many landlords prefer long-term tenants. Altogether, I received more than 25 rejections. However, I eventually managed to secure a spot in a short-term residence provided by SSH. Although this accommodation was very expensive at around 1,300 euros per month, it still allowed me to proceed with my stay as planned.
My tip:
Groningen offers a very high quality of life and is especially a vibrant and pleasant city for students.
My experiences with the… internship
During my internship, I was able to gain extensive practical experience in the fabrication and characterization of perovskite thin films and perovskite solar cells. Among other things, I was involved in sample preparation using spin-coating as well as AFM, UV-Vis, PL, and XRD measurements. Additionally, I independently analyzed the collected measurement data and compared the results with regard to the morphology, optical properties, and crystal structure of the materials.What I found particularly valuable were the independent lab work, the opportunity to learn new measurement techniques, and the insight into current research on perovskite semiconductors. By attending a scientific conference, I was also able to establish new contacts and exchange ideas with researchers from various fields.I was warmly welcomed into the international research group, received support whenever needed, and was able to work independently at the same time. Overall, the internship was a very enriching experience both professionally and personally.
My experiences with… everyday life and leisure on site
Everyday life on-site was overall very pleasant and relaxed, yet also varied and lively. I particularly enjoyed the beautiful surroundings and the many opportunities for running and walking. The city offers an appealing cityscape, a wide selection of restaurants, cafés, and fast-food options, as well as numerous shopping opportunities. This made it possible to do a lot and discover new places even outside of the internship.The distinct café culture and the vibrant atmosphere especially contributed to me feeling comfortable quickly. Overall, the internship routine could be easily combined with leisure, sports, and exploring the city.
My conclusion
Overall, my stay was an entirely positive experience – both professionally and personally. I was able to gain valuable insights into research on perovskite materials, learn new experimental methods, and work independently in the lab. At the same time, I quickly felt comfortable both within the research group and in the city.What made the experience particularly special for me was the open atmosphere, the beautiful surroundings, the many leisure opportunities, and the international environment. Groningen offers a very high quality of life and is especially a vibrant and pleasant city for students. The only significant downside is the relatively high cost of rent, food, and leisure activities. Nevertheless, I would wholeheartedly recommend a stay there and would return anytime.
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