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Institution
Fachhochschule Wilhelmshaven
Host
Institution(s)
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester MA
University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester MA
Research and study: University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Emergency
Medical Service. Studying as a graduate student for Biomedical Engineering
at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Mentor: Michael A. Davis, M.D., Sc.D., Professor of Radiology and Nuclear
Medicine
I have taken classes in the graduate program in Biomedical Materials at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). My classes were: Biomedical Instrumentation, Biomedical Imaging, Biomedical Materials and Small Animal Surgery. At the University of Massachusetts Medical Center (UMass) I was occupied with the development, redesigning and improvement of the equipment which is used on the Ambulances of the UMass Emergency Medical Service (EMS). I worked on the redesigning of a lock, which is used on the scoop stretchers in an ambulance. Further projects: the quick-lock-support for an infusion pump used in the emergency helicopter and a transportable heating device for IV solutions.
Till now, the greatest experience in my life. If one ever has the chance to go abroad for one year - do it! One will see that life here is so different but on the other hand so normal.
Because of a special circumstance I had to leave Germany without a visa for the USA. From this point on the horror trip began. At the end, I was in Toronto, Canada at the American Consulate to get my visa. I believe that I only got my visa because there was a former German citizen who worked there and helped me to get it. Since May 1998, the INS has new regulations, and it is nearly impossible for a German to get the visa in Canada. You get your visa only in Germany. With other words: Get your visa in Germany and nowhere else.
"Your accent is different. Which part of England do you come from?!", and "Germany? Isn't Austria in Germany?"
First of all: get your visa in Germany and apply for it as soon as possible. Second: be aware that this will be a very expensive year. Expect that you will spend at least 2000 DM per month (with car). Life here is pretty much (more) expensive than in Germany. In other words, get a good sponsor (scholarship or parents). By the way, you only need the Visa-Card. The last thing: don't be afraid of the language. Even if you were bad in the TOEFL test (like me) you get so fast into the language, it's amazing. There are so many hints to give but I can't list all of them.