IF: Please tell us something about yourself. Where are you studying currently? What are your hobbies and interests?
Surya Suresh (SS): I am Surya, pursuing my post-graduation in Physics at Bishop Moore College affiliated to University of Kerala. I like to have practical rather than theoretical knowledge. I am absolutely not a book worm. So I try doing experiments, even in cooking also. My main hobby is observing surroundings. I love Physics. I like to watch movies and dramas.
IF: Which internship did you take? What was it all about? Please tell us about Stipend, duration and place of internship?
SS: I was selected for the internship provided by Indian Academy of Sciences (IASc Summer Research Fellowship Program (2016). It was two months program. A student can choose any two months from April to July. My internship was at Physics Department, IISc, Bangalore. They gave Rs.8000/- per month as fellowship.
IF: How did you come to know about the internship? What were the various sources you kept yourself connected with?
SS: Since last August I was eagerly looking out for summer internships. So I used to visit websites of many Universities who provide summer internship. In November, I got to know about IASc Summer Research Fellowship Program from Indian Academy’s website.
IF: Can you tell us about the procedure, how to apply for the internship. What are the eligibility criteria to apply for this internship?
SS: IASc provides this prestigious opportunity to science students every year. Second and third year BSc or B.Tech students, second year MSc students and teachers who have publications are eligible for this fellowship. They consider the academic background also. The application is through online mode. Also they consider a write-up. We have to write an abstract on the field in which we would like to work. Apart from these, they consider previous experiences as well. We can choose 5 or 6 guides from a huge list in
our field.
IF: How competitive the selection process was? What qualities of yours, you believe helped you in having an edge in the selection process? What key things you feel were looked for by the selectors?
SS: Truly, it is competitive. Every year, more than 1000 students apply for this fellowship from all over India. I have a decent academic background. I did one project in my graduation. I mentioned that experience in the application form. They consider academic background, previous experiences and the important thing is the write up about our field of interest which we should enter in the application. The write up should be in our own words. It should convey our ideas. So from my experience I can say that academic 
background, write up and previous experience were the key factors they considered.
IF: Could you please highlight the work/research project you carried out during the internship period? Its application in the near future and your work in it?
SS: My project was completely an experimental one, Study of Quadratic Magneto Optic Kerr Response from Fe/Ir. I worked with a research scholar. We made an experimental set up for studying thin films or crystals. Using that set up we could find some parameters which is unique for each films.
IF: How much difference this internship period make in your intellectual capabilities and mindset? In broader terms, what are your gains and takeaways?
SS: This was my first internship. Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore is like a dream come true. I would like to thank IASc for giving this golden opportunity. This internship was the turning point in my life. I come from a typical village. From there I went to India’s no. 1 institute IISc for two months for IASc SRFP 2016. I worked there in a lab which is MAX PLANK partner group. For me, it’s a great achievement. IISc gave me great exposure and changed my views on Research field. This experience helped me to decide my future goals. I learnt new software, I learnt how to handle new instruments. I made so many friends from across the country. I really enjoyed my summer vacation. Money can’t buy such experiences. It was such an amazing experience for me.
IF: What are your future plans after this internship and how much impact this internship will have on it?
SS: Now I have completed first year of my PG and I want to complete my PG with good score. Then I want to clear CSIR-UGC NET, ITF or GATE. I would like to do PhD from IISc, Bangalore or BARC, Mumbai. I already mentioned that this internship helped me to finalize my future plan. It completely turned my mind towards research field. This was my first internship experience . Next year I am planning to visit BARC, Mumbai. Now I have got additional confidence given by IASc SRFP 2016.
IF: Any views about this initiative of InternFeel, and how beneficial it would be? Is there any suggestion/feedback for improvement?
SS: After I got the selection letter from IASc, I struggled with lots of doubts. Then I went through this site. From here I read some internship experiences of my seniors. That helped me a lot. That time I decided, I will also share my experience. Thanks to Internfeel 🙂 I didn’t find any substitute for this site. Thank you.
