Hey there! I’m Manav Agrawal, an Electrical Engineering student from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Beyond the circuits and codes, I’m your average binge-watcher who’ll quote entire Netflix shows and a cricket fan who lives for every wicket, every six. This summer, I threw myself headfirst into the adventure of a research internship in Spain. It was a wild journey, packed with learning, culture shock, and a road trip straight out of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (only with less skydiving and more LLVM optimization).
The idea of optimizing complex models fascinates me – it’s the thrill of solving a grand puzzle. AI/ML is a cutting-edge space, but I wanted to dive deeper, get into the nuts and bolts, and understand the hidden layers, literally and figuratively. There’s something strategic and exciting about optimizing models and enhancing performance by refining each layer. For me, this research was a bridge, linking AI theory to real-world applications where every tweak could lead to a big improvement in runtime. That’s the kind of thrill that made all the emails worth it.
Let me tell you – apping is what stands before you and a lifetime experience during summer! When you’re reaching out externally (aka “apping”), every email feels like a shot in the dark. And it’s no exaggeration to say you might go from 10 emails to 500 before getting a reply. For months, I customized each email, attached only my resume (short and sweet), and then crossed my fingers.
Now, here’s the truth about apping: just because a professor replies doesn’t mean it’s a done deal. Many things can throw a wrench into your plans, like funding limitations, requirements for in-person presence, or the availability (or lack thereof) of housing. Sometimes, you’ll make it to the interview stage or even secure a tentative offer, only to find out there’s a roadblock you hadn’t expected. In my case, I learned this the hard way. I thought I had locked down a spot at NUS, But then, I found out there was a catch: for the NUS offer to proceed, research had to be part of my core degree requirements – a criterion I didn’t meet. That roadblock left me scrambling for other options, and I realized that in research, even after a “successful” email, nothing’s final until everything – from accommodations to visas – is sorted. So, here’s my tip: don’t stop apping until all the details are fully confirmed. Keep reaching out, even if you’ve secured an internship, until everything is 100% official. It may take persistence, but this experience taught me that the right opportunity often comes after pushing through a few disappointments. The process is full of twists and turns, but that’s what makes finally landing the right internship all the more rewarding. Finally, when the right prof answered, I was over the moon. He set up a coding assignment to test my mettle, and one week later, I made the cut. It felt like winning a marathon you didn’t even know you were running.
Once the internship started, it was a high-intensity zone. My mission? To optimize transformer models’ runtime using low-level techniques like LLVM. My professor set the task, and each day was a mix of coding, debugging, and – let’s be honest – wondering if my code had a mind of its own. The work was no walk in the park; it was hands-on, and you’re left to fend for yourself if an error decides to crash your day. But every time I cracked it, it felt like winning the coding equivalent of a T20 match.
My advice to anyone in a similar setup: learn the basics of the local language – even if it’s just enough to ask where the coffee is. Interactions are rich and diverse because you’ll meet peers from across the globe – I made friends from the U.S., Iran, Sri Lanka, and beyond. Oh, and when you get that offer, book your accommodation right away! Trust me, hunting for a place to stay after arrival is no fun when you’re jet-lagged.
Travel was, hands down, one of the highlights. Spain’s stunning landscapes offer everything: buzzing Barcelona with its nightlife, Alicante’s serene beaches, and the chance to explore with friends. We even took a legendary road trip from Murcia to Barcelona, channelling our inner Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara spirits (only no skydiving, unless you count debugging at midnight). Spain’s a bit isolated from the rest of Europe, so unlike my German peers who could train-hop from country to country, we had to plan flights. But weekends became mini-adventures: Paris for some Parisian charm, Bordeaux for it’s stunning beauty, Milan and Turin for Italy’s flair, and Switzerland for those postcard-perfect Alps. We spent more nights on buses and trains than in our beds, but hey, sleep is overrated when Europe’s at your feet.
You know what they don’t warn you about? Cooking. Every day. For two months. I wish I’d learned more recipes beforehand (because, yes, one can tire of Maggi). Not only that, but the constant cycle of cleaning, grocery shopping, and managing my own schedule turned into its own set of skills – like a mini crash course in adulting. For anyone heading out, I’d recommend adding “meal prep” to your skillset. And if not, just load up on packaged food and pray you don’t get tired of it too quickly.
This internship wasn’t just about research; it was a massive learning curve in personal responsibility. My project leaned heavily towards implementation, so there was a lot to learn on the fly. Debugging was a daily task, and getting stuck was inevitable. Beyond work, the biggest challenge was balancing my intern hours with trip planning, meal prepping, and (the big one!) prepping for the 3rd-year internship season. Let’s just say, those quiet midnight hours became prime prep time. If you’re thinking of taking on a summer research internship, know that you’ll be balancing research with life-admin like never before.
Of course, I explored more than just code and LLVM. From Spanish art galleries to random seaside towns, I dabbled in everything that was uniquely “Spain.” Each new place was like a culture class on its own. The locals? Super warm, and I even managed to pick up a few more Spanish phrases.
Adapting to Spain’s slower pace was a shock – and a welcome one. The “mañana” culture (roughly translating to “do it tomorrow”) is real, and it teaches you patience. Unlike the constant hustle back home, Spain’s easygoing approach helped me see the value in taking breaks, enjoying the little things, and finding time to relax. Adjusting to the language barrier was tricky, but the environment itself was supportive. Every day, I felt more at home, and each little cultural difference became a lesson in adaptability.
This internship wasn’t just a summer gig – it was an entire lifestyle change, packed with incredible memories, intense learning, and unexpected growth. From navigating a new culture to cracking complicated code, every step of this journey left a mark. So, if you’re contemplating taking a similar leap, do it. Be prepared for the highs, the lows, and everything in between – because this isn’t just about building your resume; it’s about building yourself.
