Exchange Diaries  

Nikita Sehrawat | Aerospace Engineering

University of Auckland, New Zealand

Research Area: Space Dynamics

What was the University and topic of research that was taken up by you during the FT?

The University that I had applied to was the University of Auckland and the topic of my research was space dynamics. In space dynamics, I was working on Space Transfer Design as a multi-stage decision process.

Why is an FT important? How would one compare research in Indian universities and foreign universities?

In the discipline that I’m working on, there is not much infrastructure in this topic specifically in a general Btech degree. After receiving this internship, I got to know a lot of people and the numerous branches that can be worked on, that I never knew existed. I came to know about computational astrodynamics and a lot of other stuff. There are a lot of things that are not taught in the semesters or are not thought to be of importance but when you are doing an internship, you come to know that topics such as differential algebra or optimization problems in my case are required for the research. Conversing with my supervisor who has been working in the field for a long time and also with other research students helped me gain knowledge of the different aspects, approaches, and areas of research that exist which I couldn’t have obtained from an Indian University.

FT vs corporate internship, what are all the things we are missing out on and what are we gaining more?

Every student in his/her first or second year has the idea to learn something new or meet new people which can be achieved by the FT as one gets to go to a foreign university, whereas corporate internships are mostly based in India. I would say the choice varies between individual interests. I was intrigued more by the research aspects of the FT that made me join it. Also while doing an FT, one learns a lot of things about work ethics at different places whereas, in a corporate internship, a stipend is a plus point.

Should BTech students aspiring for higher studies from abroad opt for an FT?

Yes of course! One should indefinitely try for an FT. Even if you don’t get the FT, you would get to know the professors and their areas of research. And the professor would know about you prior to any further studies application, which is a plus point. It will provide you with a clearer picture of whether or not research or higher studies are suitable for you. All the processes of applying for an FT are really important and also the professor under whom you worked will play a good hand in you getting accepted into the university.

What exactly is the application process for the FT? Are there any important documents one must keep?

There is a standard procedure that every research student follows to apply for an FT, but in my case, one of the professors from the university asked the Hod of my department for FT students and as I was doing a project under him on the same topic space dynamics, my name was suggested for it and hence after an interview and checking my CV and other documents, I secured the internship. It is kind of connected to the Joint Doctoral Program as IIT Kharagpur and the University of Auckland have the JDP agreement. It would also be better to prepare a CL if applying through mass mailing, a CL specific to the professor you are applying to would also help.

When should one start applying for an FT?

The best time to start applying for the FT would be around September-November. Many programs such as MITACS and DAAD open up around this time and you can mail professors and request for an internship. October, November, and December are the months one should be actively applying if applying through mass mailing.

How did the pandemic affect your application for the project? Did the pandemic have any positive impact on the project?

The pandemic did have some negative and positive impacts on my training. Academically, It was good as I learned a lot from the comfort of my home but, the lack of face-to-face interaction and the experimental aspects of the research was a huge drawback to the training. There is no feeling of the foreign internship that was I guess important

How should a first-year student prepare beforehand for his FT application in their subsequent year?

Until the end of my second year, I was not sure on which area to pinpoint my work and till then I was exploring the different options. If you are in your 2nd year, try to figure out where you want to head, research, or do corporate or industrial work. Try to get any kind of internship that will give you basic experience in the summers if possible. If not then use the time to figure out your area of interest and what you want to do.

Does belonging to IITKGP provide any added benefits for getting your FT?

Belonging to an IIT is definitely an added benefit. Many students from other institutes look up to IIT and request the professors for a project whereas, students from an IIT search for projects abroad. Me receiving this internship was a consequence of the agreement between our institute and the foreign university. Whenever you are applying for a program or ft or higher studies, having the signature of an IIT is valuable. Also, many professors go from an IIT to foreign universities and do their research there. You would have a preference over others if you’re applying to them as they can relate to the IIT environment and type of students. Therefore it is a plus point when you are applying to professors from an IIT.