In the frame of the international strategies and common actions of the Écoles normales supérieures in France, ENS de Lyon has taken the lead in the creation of a partnership with the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) in India.

In 2018, the ENS-IISER network implemented a framework agreement allowing their institutions to collaborate on different levels: development of exchange programs, joint training, seminars, joint research and publications, as well as research internships.

Divyan SHARMA is currently pursuing a BS-MS in Biological Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, India. He joined ENS de Lyon through the BIOSANTEXC program for a research internship at the RDP Laboratory. His ambition is to pursue an interdisciplinary career combining mechanics and plant developmental biology, with a particular interest in the dynamics of plant growth.

The RDP Laboratory’s work in his field of interest was a key reason for choosing ENS de Lyon. During his internship, Divyan worked on a project involving a collaboration between the Mosaic team and the Seed Development team.

Before arriving in France, Divyan was already familiar with the RDP Laboratory and its reputation within the scientific community. His knowledge of France was more limited, extending mainly to its popular tourist image. He initially wondered whether not speaking French would make it difficult to adapt, but quickly found the people around him helpful and welcoming. “On the ENS campus, there was literally no language barrier at all,” he says.

He particularly appreciated his accommodation, which included an attached kitchen, as well as the institute restaurant and the many restaurants around campus. The campus sports facilities were another advantage, although registering was somewhat challenging as he arrived towards the end of the academic year. With the metro station located around 100 metres from his residence, getting around the city was also easy. During his stay, he met several other interns and made good friends.

The internship also pushed him beyond his previous academic experience. With a background in biology and limited experience in physics, Divyan had to teach himself the computational skills required for the project. Although this was challenging at first, the support of his supervisors and colleagues enabled him to develop the necessary skills, which he expects to be useful in the future.

The administrative side of the stay was not always straightforward. In particular, opening a French bank account as a non-EU national proved challenging, and Divyan wished this part of the process could have gone more smoothly. He nevertheless appreciated the support provided by the administration throughout his stay.

Overall, Divyan describes his stay as an enriching experience, both scientifically and personally. He would recommend ENS de Lyon to other students, particularly for its research environment, administrative support and the opportunity to experience a different academic system and work alongside people from varied backgrounds.