ISOIS ▸ Final reports

Host country:
Host institution:
Mobility type:
Program:
Faculty:
Ac. year:
Semesters:
Study level:
Language filled in:
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Medical University of Vienna

Austria 2018/2019 Freemovers

Personal data
Mobility type:
traineeship

Faculty at MU:
Faculty of Science

Field of study:
Animal Physiology

Level of study during period of placement:
Doctoral

Language used:
English

Summer/winter school?:
no

Period of studies:
autumn 2018, spring 2019

Period of placement (from-to):
2018-09-18 - 2019-03-31

Number of months:
6.00

Activities before my departure abroad
What was your approach in organising the placement?:
You need to know whether is it possible to visit and work at the foreign institution. The best way is already established cooperation between departments/laboratories. You or your supervisor has to contact head of the other institution.

What documents are required for acceptance on a placement at this organisation?:
Motivation letter, Training agreement, Invitation letter from partner institution (not sure if necessary)

How far ahead did acceptance have to be organised? (in weeks):
Few weeks, but better to organize in advance (2-3 months before deadline).

Did you need a visa?:
no

Documents and materials needed for a visa:

Fee for the visa:

During the placement
Did you change the training agreement in the course of your placement (training agreement)?:
Yes, I did. Originaly, I wanted to spend my internship at Yale University in USA. Finally, I was at Medical University of Vienna. There were no problems with this kind of changes.

What is necessary to arrange immediately on arrival? What requirements and at which offices?:
I only had to sign some documents regarding working in the lab.

Describe your work/activity in the foreign organisation. Describe what specifically you did, whether the work corresponded to the agreed conditions and your field of study, and whether your work was independent and responsible, approximate working hours.:
I was working in almost the same kind of lab as I work at my home institution (developmental biology lab). I was working on special mouse transgenic models using classical methods. The work corresponded to the agreed conditions and field of my study, I was working moreless independently, approximately 8 hours a day.

Did the organisation or local student organisations arrange any special events for foreign students on placements?:
no

If yes then what?:

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
I lived in a small studio provided by Airbnb directly in the center of Vienna.

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
580 EUR

Additional comments to the price of accommodation (as to what the price includes):
Everything was included, I didnt have to pay any deposit.

Who arranged your accommodation and how far ahead:
I arranged my accomodation, roughly 6 weeks in advance.

Equipment, internet connection, what to bring:
Everything was included, bedding and towels were changed every month.

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
almost the same, only meat and alcohol is much more expensive.

Transport to location of placement:
train, bus

Approximate price:
9 EUR

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
RegioJet train is the best choice, takes you directly from Brno center to Vienna center.

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
metro (U-bahn), bus, tram (S-bahn), bicycle

How did you use health insurance? What type?:
I used travel insurence provided by my employer.

Did you have other insurance? Which?:
No, I didnt

Experience with insured events:
No experiences

Tips for recreation:
Donau canal, Schonbrunn park

Financial support and expenses
Monthly grant from the Centre for International Cooperation:
16000 CZK

What other sources did you make use of to finance your placement?:
My placement was cofinanced my Mobility program from Ministry of education, youth and sports of the Czech republic.

  
What was your average monthly expenditure during the placement (i.e. without the travel there and back)?:
980 EUR

a/ of which for accommodation:
580 EUR

b/ of which for catering:
300 EUR

c/ travel and recreation:
100 EUR

Any comments to the average monthly expenditure:

 
Experience with bank accounts/services. Do you recommend an account arranged abroad, use of Czech payment cards...:
I had no problems using czech payment card.

 
Did you pay to foreign organisations any fees? (insurance, materials, etc.):
No, I didnt

Did you receive a salary from the host business/organisation?:
no

If yes, what was your monthly salary?:
0 ???

 
Other advantages from the host organisation?:
I had no advantages from the host organisation.

Is it necessary to assume a larger amount at the start of the placement? If yes, what and for what purpose?:
I didnt need a larger amount at the start.

Recognition of the foreign placement at the home faculty
Is the traineeship part of your field of study?:
yes

If yes - is it a compulsory or optional part?:
Optional

How will your traineeship abroad be recognised at the home faculty?:
There was very positive feedback.

How many ECTS credits did you/will you get?:
30

Were there serious problems arranging recognition of the placement?:
There were no problems.

Overall assessment
Assessment of personal benefit (1 = excellent):
5

Assessment of academic benefit (1 = excellent):
5

Do you agree with the statement that, thanks to the experience gained during the placement you will be able to further develop your skills for work in your field?:
I definitely agree.

What did you most appreciate after completing your placement?:
I have learnt new laboratory techniques which I can use in my further work.

Any serious problems during the placement?:
No problems.

Do you have any recommendation for those that follow you? (e.g. what to take with them):
Dont panic and go straight ahead. People all around the world are very nice and helpful.