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Q: What initially attracted you to apply for this internship at our company?
As a dual degree Pharmacist-Engineer student, computational flow dynamic simulation perfectly aligns with both my fields of study. Additionally, as a lover of Japanese culture, I wanted to experience working life in Japan. I was curious to see if I could adapt to a culture that I had previously only experienced through media (manga and anime).
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Q: How did this internship contribute to your professional development and career growth?
An internship is actually a requirement to graduate. However, I used this opportunity to meet new people, grow my network, and sharpen my skills.
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Q: What specific skills or knowledge did you gain during your internship?
Working with different people allowed me to broaden my way of thinking, which I am sure will be very useful for problem-solving later on. Revisiting equations I had only seen in early university classes helped me understand their practical applications. Finally, the internship also improved my English and even allowed me to begin learning Japanese.
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Q: How would you describe the company culture and work environment for interns?
At first, I was afraid because Japanese work culture is very different from what I had experienced in Europe. However, Cardio Flow Design has a very open culture that blends traditional and international elements, making it a very pleasant place to work. Everyone collaborates with each other, and mentors/supervisors are always understanding, providing simple yet challenging projects to work on.
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Q: What were some of the most challenging aspects of your internship, and how did you overcome them?
Learning about the Python codes and scripts for fluid dynamic computation was challenging for me since it is not my main area of study. However, with a little research, experimentation, and the help of company members, everything went smoothly!
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Q: In what ways did the internship meet or exceed your expectations?
Since CFD is a small company, I was expecting to work on different subjects. However, the project diversity that was given to me far exceeded my expectations. Working on various problems makes the work very enjoyable and prevents it from feeling repetitive: I never felt bored!
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Q: Can you share an example of a project or task you worked on that had a significant impact on the company?
I assisted with a part of the validation process for the new software. We had to compare the calculation results with hand-made analytical solutions for simple cases. This was very interesting to work on as it required me to use a variety of skills, including programming, physics equations solving, and knowledge of quality and validation processes.
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Q: What advice would you give to someone considering applying for this internship?
Understanding the principles of heart anatomy and flow dynamics can be helpful, but it doesn't feel like a requirement. All members are very skilled and will always take the time to explain everything you ask. So don't worry and do your best!
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Q: What surprised you the most about working here as an intern?
The working schedule 😂 (The working hours are normal, but I wasn't used to starting work that late! (11:00 AM))
More seriously, what surprised me the most is the duration of the calculations. The equations that need to be solved to describe the behavior of blood in vessels are very complex. Even with supercomputers, some of them require an entire week to compute!
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Q: How did the internship impact your understanding of the industry or field?
I already had basic theoretical knowledge of fluid dynamics, but the internship allowed me to put everything into practice, which helped me better understand the problems doctors are confronted with.
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Q: Did you have a chance to participate in company events or social activities as an intern?
The company organized a barbecue, which was one of the best moments I had while in Japan. Sharing drinks and food with coworkers is actually the best way to get to know everyone better and to feel more included in the company!
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Q: What do you think sets this internship apart from others in the industry?
Going to Japan for an internship is a very special experience in itself. Additionally, working at a high-end scientific company focused on health development like CFD feels like one of the best choices to combine being useful and learning a lot!
