The opening of PREP gathered nineteen curious students from renowned universities from the United States and Canada (MIT, Yale, Duke, UC Berkeley, British Columbia etc.) together with TUM Vice President for International Alliances and Alumni, Dr. Hannemor Keidel, and the project supervisors.
The enthusiasm and the collective drive were clearly felt in the animated conversations: “I decided to participate in PREP because TUM is one of the most renowned universities worldwide for its research as well as its academic standard. To be able to cooperate in a research project here is an intense experience and I am certain I will learn a lot”, explains Shirley Li from UC Berkeley. She is currently working on a research project at the TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan.
Within the framework of the Practical Research Experience Program (PREP), students of select North American universities are given the opportunity to work on interesting research projects at different TUM departments together with TUM researchers through a tailor-made program, which enables students to get an insight into the excellent research opportunities and facilities of TUM for a period of 2.5 months during their summer break. Once their return home, they will then be able to share their experience at their home universities as junior ambassadors of TUM.
The program, which is administered by the TUM International Center, is designed to enable TUM researchers to invite excellent international students for research without great administrative effort, whilst building and expanding cooperation with North American universities. Already in 2017, almost all faculties at TUM participated in the program: Architecture; Chemistry; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Informatics; Civil, Geo and Environmental Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Mathematics; Sport and Health Sciences; TUM School of Management; TUM School of Life Sciences. Further faculties have already indicated interest in participating in the next round.
In addition to individual support by the PREP Program Manager at the International Center and student buddies, program participants receive a partial scholarship and an individual dorm room at a student residence. A cultural and academic framework program forms also part of the PREP experience to support the integration of students into local culture and university life.
Andrea Blankenship from MIT decided to conduct her research at TUM primarily due to the excellent reputation of her supervising professor at the TUM Chemistry Department. “Research labs in Munich dispose of impressive facilities and are very well funded, and also Munich is a great city.”, she explains.