Rishita Ghosh
In summer 2025, I took part in a research internship at Kiel University in Kiel, Germany through the RISE-DAAD program. During the internship, I worked on research related to bioinspired nanocomposites for early detection in gastrointestinal surgery and helped model magnetoelectric sensors. It was a valuable experience because it gave me the chance to do hands-on research in a new academic and cultural environment. I enjoyed being able to learn from other researchers, adapt to a different lab setting, and see how scientific work is done in different countries. The part I appreciated most was how the experience helped me grow in confidence, curiosity, and independence.
One thing that surprised me was how much I would learn outside of the lab itself during my time in Kiel, Germany. I expected the experience to be centered mainly around research, but I ended up learning just as much from the people and environment around me. Being part of a community of interns from different countries exposed me to new cultures, languages, traditions, and perspectives that I had not encountered before. I was also able to experience local traditions like Kieler Woche, which gave me a deeper appreciation for the history and culture of Germany. Even outside of research, I learned new things about myself through experiences like windsurfing and sailing trips with my host family, which made the summer feel both academically meaningful and personally transformative.
This experience in Germany contributed significantly to my academic and professional goals by helping me see research as both a technical and collaborative process. Working at Kiel University and UKSH hospital strengthened my interest in the intersection of science, medicine, and innovation, while also giving me more confidence in navigating research in an international setting. Attending the Heidelberg conference with other interns was especially valuable because it allowed me to discuss science in a peer-to-peer learning environment and think more broadly about the kinds of questions and approaches that interest me. Overall, the experience deepened my interest in research, helped me think more seriously about future academic paths, and showed me how global experiences can shape the way I approach scientific work.
After my summer in Germany, I am continuing to build on what I learned through writing drafts that may contribute to future publication. The internship also inspired me to think more seriously about possible directions for my Honors thesis, especially in terms of how I want to approach research questions and interdisciplinary work going forward. I hope to continue applying the skills and perspectives I gained at Kiel University to future research experiences at Syracuse and beyond. This summer gave me a stronger sense of the kind of scientific work I want to pursue and the kinds of environments in which I learn best.
Receiving an award from Honors made this experience financially possible for me. The funding helped cover important travel and living expenses associated with spending the summer in Germany, which reduced the financial stress of participating in the internship. It also helped me take fuller advantage of the opportunity by making it easier to attend the RISE-DAAD Heidelberg conference and engage more fully in both the academic and cultural parts of the experience. Because of this support, I was able to focus more on my research, learning, and professional growth rather than the cost of being abroad.
I am incredibly grateful to have been part of such an international and welcoming community during my time in Kiel, Germany. One of the most meaningful parts of the summer was getting to share the experience with other interns and learn from people with different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Between the research, conference experience, travel, and time with my host family, I gained much more than technical knowledge, I also gained confidence, independence, and a broader understanding of the world around me. This experience reminded me that academic growth and personal growth often happen together, and I am very thankful to the Honors Program for helping make that possible.
