11.09.2009
"Learning is the key to success, and Baden-Württemberg has the strongest industry in biomedicine"
“When I browsed the Internet, there was no doubt that I wanted to be part of the Programme in Furtwangen University. Neither the US nor England or other countries offer such a variety of respective industries as the German Southwest." (© Baden-Württemberg International)
Her grandfather once started the hospital in the town where Sonam Sharma was born: “In Dhanbad, Iharkhabd, it is – still today – difficult to get the medical care people need, because of the lack of facilities”, the very young graduate student says. Sonam characterizes herself as ambitious and efficient. She had already finished her Bachelor in Engineering at home in Bangalore and, now half way through her
Master Course in Biomedical Engineering at
Furtwangen University, the 23 year old student is fast approaching her goal: “Having gained more practice I want to go back and improve the health sector in my country.”
The cardio vascular system is what interests her most right now. The combination of medicine and engineering, the knowledge about the latest techniques and the presentations of what can be done in the future impress Sonam. “When I browsed the Internet, there was no doubt that I wanted to be part of the Programme in Furtwangen University. Neither the US nor England or other countries offer such a variety of respective industries as the German Southwest." Excursions to companies in the Baden-Württemberg area have given her deep insights into how e.g. innovative dialyses systems work.
As many of the German companies involved in biomedical equipment have a branch in India, it makes a lot of sense to get in touch with them even during studies. “The professors, the study coordinator, the international office – the university staff – are all immensely helpful, not only in practical support concerning housing and other things. They also help us to find industry partners or hospitals where we can gain practical experience and where we can work based on our thesis."
Although it is the first time she has left her country, Sonam feels comfortable in the small town of Schwenningen where her course is located. “Coming from a big metro such as Bangalore, it is nice to feel safe when walking around in the evenings. On the other hand: I had to get used to the early closing hours of the grocery shops,” she admits. Cooking for her friends, extensive bicycle rides through the Black Forest, walking through the impressive damps – the so-called “Schwenninger Moos” – or taking the short trip to Zürich, there is enough to do in Sonam’s free time. But the main reason for her stay in Baden-Württemberg is still to learn: “Learning is the key to success. This is what the professors say and I am deeply convinced that the practical implementation which is so strong here at Furtwangen University will take me there."
