While working on my Master's thesis, I had the opportunity to spend four months conducting research at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). The decision to take part in the exchange program of the Institute of Mechanical Process Engineering (IMVT) was one of the best of my life. I was warmly welcomed at the host university by professors Jack Brouwer and Iryna Zenyuk and was directly integrated into the respective research groups.
I was one of the graduate students here and took part in all the regular meetings of the groups. In particular, the close cooperation of everyone in and outside of the lab is worth mentioning. We often spent our lunch breaks together in the nearby Aldrich Park (see image 1) for picnics and partly productive discussions. At group social events, such as a barbecue evening at the beach or a weekend out in the mountains (see image 2), I was able to gain great impressions of the university and the country's culture.
Outside of the university, California offers many opportunities for leisure activities. The numerous beaches nearby are known as a surfer's paradise, as the Beach Boys used to sing in their songs, and you can ride a few waves at the end of the day (see pictures 3 & 4). The mountains in the immediate vicinity, as well as a weekend trip to Santa Catalina Island, are a highlight for people who enjoy hiking. The weather was fantastic and there was no rain throughout the summer, so we were always able to do something without worrying about bad weather. At the end of my stay, I was advised to take a road trip through the national parks on the West Coast - the nature is incomparably beautiful and I can highly recommend such a road trip.
I can only recommend the exchange at UCI to IMVT students in every respect - whether academically or culturally. The new impressions, skills and contacts I gained will be of great help to me in the future.
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