STEM Research Internship Program (VSRP)

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.

My KAUST VSRP internship had its ups and downs. Communication with the visa onboarding person was frustrating as delays and unclear responses on required documents like the invitation letter came incredibly close to the start date. Getting a SIM card from the Mobily guy was a hassle too as he's rarely around and doesn't offer the cheaper plan for no apparent reason. The science side was good though, with up-to-date instruments available for use in state-of-the-art labs. Funding is decent with a good monthly stipend, solid insurance, and relaxed campus life. Plenty of activities like sports and art clubs to join, even if the community page is outdated. Good transport for campus, Thuwal, and Jeddah trips. Despite onboarding issues, I'd still recommend it for international research opportunities and good community life.

My Internship lasted 3 months and gave me the oppurtunity to experience and learn about new research areas as well as laboratory equipment. While the experience itself of course heavily depends on the appartment your in, the organisation I heard was in every case not that satisfying. The visa process and flying situation was spontaneously decided. Beside that, my work environment and housing was really good. Also, KAUST offers great chances to meet people outside your research topic through various events such as weekly board games nights or art clubs.