In 2025, Jonas Schär spent 6 months at McGill University in Montreal for his bachelor's thesis.
What made you decide to go abroad?
What motivated me to go abroad was the opportunity to gain new perspectives and to develop personally. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and experience a different culture and way of life.
At the same time, I saw it as a great chance to improve my English skills, especially in an academic and professional context.
Why did you choose your host institution/country?
I didn’t have a clear idea of where I wanted to go at first, so I asked my professor for advice. He suggested McGill University where he has a good colleague. After he reached out to him and presented me with the opportunity, I agreed, as it seemed like a great fit both academically and personally.
What does a typical day at the host institution look like?
It usually starts around 10:00, when I arrive at the lab and begin by checking my ongoing reactions using techniques such as NMR and TLC. After that, I carry out the workup of the reactions and prepare the samples for further analysis.
Around 12:00 I take a lunch break.
In the afternoon, starting at about 13:00, I continue with my experimental work, attend meetings, and set up new reactions.
At around 17:00, I usually finish my practical lab work. In the evening, I spend time eating and then continue with more desk-based tasks such as analysing results, writing, and completing paperwork between 18:00 and 20:00.
After that, I like to relax by meeting friends, doing some sports, or reading, which helps me maintain a good balance between work and free time.
Tell us about your research during your residency.
I worked on the synthesis of new potential therapeutic compounds based on inositol phosphates and inositol thiophosphates. Due to the confidential nature of the research, I cannot go into further detail.
What surprised you the most about your stay abroad?
My stay abroad changed my perspective on living standards. Experiencing everyday life in another developed country made me realise how high the quality of life in Switzerland actually is.
What tip would you like to give to future exchange students?
Budget more than you initially expect! There is always something to do, see, or discover, and these experiences often come with extra expenses.
I would recommend renting a car, as many places outside the city center are difficult to reach without one. Public transport is not comparable to what we are used to in Switzerland in terms of cleanliness and punctuality.
Take your chance to study abroad!
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