King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

This University looks incredible, is huge, marble floors and shiny appliances everywhere. But when you approach it, it reveals itself to be pretty empty of substance. The life is quite sparse and boring, I'm lucky to have been able to spend time with family while here, but without them I was quite miserable in my time. just working out and doing research every day. the lab was super kind, and the people really nice to me, but the university and peripheral life experience really dull.

I had a great experience interning at KAUST. Firstly, the accommodation and environment is superb. I was lucky to work in a lab team that worked together really well. I learned a lot about geology and feel confident that I will use the skills I learned in my future research.

Spending the last quarter of the year—October through December—at KAUST for the Visiting Student Research Program (VSRP) was a truly fascinating experience. For those considering an academic internship that blends high-level research with a unique international lifestyle, here is my breakdown of the experience. Working in the AI Labs, the technical resources are excellent; the compute power significantly accelerated my experiments compared to what I might expect elsewhere. The environment is really international, offering good networking opportunities with teammates and alumni at top global institutions. However, three months pass quickly. I highly recommend defining your project specifics before arrival to avoid losing the first few weeks to planning. Campus life feels like a self-contained town with extensive facilities, from gyms and pools to sports fields. The winter weather was pleasant, avoiding the intense summer heat, and commuting is effortless. Accommodation was a highlight—modern housing with a private bathroom—though I found the dining options leaned a bit too heavily on fast food for my taste. Socially, there are plenty of activities like board games and sports clubs, but the atmosphere is calm; do not expect a wild party campus. The access to the Red Sea for snorkeling is a unique perk. Organization was 10/10, handling visas and travel seamlessly. As a German, I found information arrived a little later than I am used to, but everything worked out smoothly. Overall, it is a productive, comfortable environment for focused research without logistical distractions and a great place to collect international experience.