King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

My first time doing a research project and my first time travelling abroad on my own. What a life changing experience. My research group at BAYESCOMP has been incredibly welcoming, and I deeply appreciate their patience and guidance, especially as someone new to research. The environment is a closed fenced campus that has everything from supermarkets to clinics, which provide safety and accommodation (within campus) with kitchen make my first time living abroad easy to settle in. And most importantly the opportunity to meet people from all over the world has been truly amazing.

At KAUST, I learned so much under my post doc. she offered a very welcoming and supportive environment. The research facilities were amazing and my colleagues were very kind. The living arrangement was very nice.

My experience abroad was overall positive, mainly due to the international and multicultural environment. Being surrounded by people from many different countries allowed me to exchange ideas, perspectives, and experiences that went beyond academics. This exposure helped me broaden my worldview and understand how research and education are approached in different cultural contexts. From an academic standpoint, the experience was solid and structured, and it provided an opportunity to engage with research in an international setting. Daily life on campus was comfortable and efficient, making it easy to focus on work and interactions with others. I would recommend it particularly to students interested in experiencing research within a diverse, global community.