InternViews #1: Ela Bahşi
InternViews is our weekly series where RIGI interns share their experiences, insights, and stories from their time Stuttgart.
What inspired you to pursue a career/studies in your field?
I’ve always been curious about how biomedical machines work and how they can be improved, which naturally led me to mechanical engineering and robotics.
What made you apply to RIGI/work on a robotics-related project?
In the past spring semester, I worked on a recycling robot as my term project. Through that experience, I became fascinated by the world of mechatronics and robotics—so here I am.
What’s one (surprising/unexpected) thing you’ve learned so far during your internship?
Although it initially seems more complex, working in SolidWorks Assembly mode actually makes many tasks much easier. :)
What has been your favorite part of the RIGI program?
Meeting inspiring people, visiting the Tübingen campus, and having fun moments like an ice cream date with fellow CaCTüS interns.
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in Stuttgart so far?
It’s hard to choose just one, but one of my favorite memories is spending long evenings at Unithekle with other interns and my mentors, enjoying conversations that went far beyond work.
Ela and her friends from the institute on a trip to Heidelberg
Which inanimate tool or equipment you used in the lab would be the WORST roommate if they were human, and why?
Definitely the stepper driver... because it shuts down at the slightest issue. If it were a human, it would be like someone who refuses to communicate whenever there’s a small problem.
What’s next for you after RIGI?
I plan to finish my bachelor’s degree and apply to master’s programs in robotics or related fields, because this internship has left me wanting to explore even more.
What do you like to do when you’re not doing research/studying/working?
I enjoy knitting gifts for my friends and volunteering in a student club that builds libraries for villages, which has been a very meaningful experience for me.
Any advice for future RIGI interns?
Watch out for the bees in the Hauptbahnhof coffee shops—they sometimes end up in your coffee without you noticing! But more importantly, know that you are about to begin an unforgettable adventure, so enjoy every moment of it!
