My experience with Erasmus was something that I had planned for almost 2 years. I wanted to do it in the summer between my degrees but ended up doing it in my 3rd semester in Master´s. Internships are an integral part of my programme, and I decided to make the most out if by doing a research project abroad. I had my eye on Barcelona, Spain, but was open to exploring other cities as well. Its important to keep an open mind when looking for places where to apply.

I first contacted the Erasmus Büro to obtain as much information as possible, such as tips how to approach labs and how to express exactly what the requirements were. My search period was around 2 months before I eventually got an answer from the Institute of Molecular Biology in Barcelona. The department I was interested in was something I had previously taken interest in – Synthetic Biology. It turned out that the person I got in contact with had also worked with the Professor that supervised my Bachelor thesis, so that was a big advantage.

The rest of the preparations of documents was straightforward. Any questions that I had were quickly answered by the support team for Erasmus at my university. Since it was within the EU I didn’t have to prepare things like a Visa or any other documents. Important is to consider only the emergency insurance for which I contacted Allianz. The regulations for completing an internship at my university are also very well outlined so I had no trouble with that.

Accommodation is a tricky topic. The majority of people that I met that were there for a longer period had problems finding affordable apartments. I was lucky to get in contact with a person that was a family friend and offered to host me during my stay for which I had to pay a rent of 300 euros. Most apartments are rented usually for 700-800 euros depending on the location. I know it is a rare case, but nonetheless it made the experience so much better. My host helped me with things like buying a monthly card for public transport and explain details of everyday life such as making sure to wave at the bus driver so that he stops at your station.

In the lab I met an incredible team of professionals who supported me every step of the way. I had done internships before but never have I experienced such a bonded group of people. The project that I worked on was also one of the most exciting ones in my education so far. My supervisor trusted me and mentored me throughout my internship. The person you work with makes a huge difference, some advice would be to ask as many questions as possible during the interview. How does a day in the lab look like? Are there seminars or other programmes that you can take part in? Until now I hadn’t had such a welcoming environment. It allowed me to freely discuss even future opportunities in my personal life. A question that stood before me was whether a PhD was a good option for me. Being surrounded by people who are/were in the same position as I helped me gain an idea of what the responsibilities of that are as well as pros and cons.

I hadn’t been to Barcelona before but was pleasantly surprised how vibrant and alive the city is. I quickly found likeminded people who were also eager to explore what Spain had to offer. I am living abroad since Germany is not my home country and was prepared to a degree what to expect. Erasmus allowed me to experience something unforgettable and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to venture out, meet new friends and create long lasting contacts.

Tips for other Interns

Preparation

Brace yourself for amazing memories. Be open to new experiences and meeting new people from various backgrounds.

Visa Application

Inside the European union things are pretty straight forward, but in case you need a visa you can also contact the Erasmus Büro and ask further what the process is.

Internship Search

Keep track of the offers posted by Erasmus or ask friends and colleges that have done it before. If there is a specific place that you wish to go to just contact them and ask if they offer support for Erasmus students.

Apartment Search

Depending on where you are going it could be easier or harder to find a place to stay. Make sure you ask friends or relatives if they can help you with accommodation. Look for verified websites, but beware of scammers

Insurance

My insurance was done with Allianz, but there are many other companies that offer emergency abroad insurance for students.

Bank/Accountopening

An international bank account is perfectly fine in Europe, but for Spain they often use Bizum.

Going-out Activities

Try to go out as much as possible, even if its for a small event or coffee or to explore the city by yourself.