Doing a PhD in Munich - "A Thoroughly Exciting, Challenging, and Enjoyable Experience"

"I describe Munich as “a modern village”; on one hand it is surrounded by major industries and has all urban facilities, on the other hand the comfort and beauty of nature is always just a block away, e.g. English garden, Isar river. Munich is indeed an international city, where I met people from all around the world. But unfortunately hardly any part of the famous German bureaucracy is non-German-speaker friendly. Luckily, IDK management team are always there and willing to help. The dynamic and interactive atmosphere in CeNS provides a unique opportunity not only to deepen knowledge of my own field but also to extend its horizons to other disciplines, such as biology. "

"The things I like about CeNS are the support, diversity, collaborations and the bigger picture. This  program aims to create high-quality students and looking at our Alumni, I think it does a good job.  I’m very proud to be part of the IDK and CeNS. It’s a forward thinking PhD program that offers more and I would recommend it to anyone interested. The highest quality of science and lifestyle are all here, the rest is up to us!"

"After visiting Munich for two months during the NIM Summer School 2009 I fell in love with this city and decided that it indubitably should be the place where I would do my PhD. Now, having lived in Munich for more than a year I can sincerely say, "I did the right choice!" IDK, CeNS, NIM and other institutions provide excellent possibilities for students to have access to highest quality scientific and soft skills workshops and interesting lectures, and ensure the liaison with the scientists from various departments of the LMU and TUM. Students get a feedback on their research progress from the scientific committee and can ask administrative and informal questions to the helpful managing team. Besides, the fantastic location of Munich close to Bavarian Alps motivates to do outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking and mountain skiing. Vibrant and multi-faceted cultural life in Munich with traditional Bavarian festivals and kaleidoscope of various music and art events inspires to learn the language of Goethe, Mozart, Bach and Einstein."

"It is indeed an honor and great pleasure to be a part of this program. IDK has given me a wonderful opportunity to experience interdisciplinary research at its best. The various workshops, seminars and lecture series help broaden your scientific knowledge, hone your personal skills and aid in networking with other young researchers. Moreover, Munich is a great place to live, a world-class city in the vicinity of Alps, surrounded by lakes and woods. A hub of Science, Art, Music, Sports and Opera, it provides the perfect environment for pursuing research and engaging in leisure activities."

"Munich is an excellent centre to live in - rich in both culture and professional opportunities. The support of staff and the depth of knowledge within the research community make it a great place to live in and work. It has, thus far, been a great privilege and joy to work around such a dynamic group of researchers, and among the inter-disciplinary group of colleagues in the IDK, I've found a wealth of fruitful discussions that wouldn't have been available elsewhere -in addition to the friendly and welcoming atmosphere."

"Before starting my PhD, I spent two months in Munich participating in the NIM summer school. It was an excellent way to get an overview of Munich and I could notice the stimulating scientific environment and also the high quality level of the interdisciplinary works developed at the universities and research centers. Munich is not only a city which presents many facilities in science but it also concentrates many cultural places and events, allowing the scientific developing and cultural enrichment."

"I’ve found IDK to be a wonderful platform for interaction between young graduates pursuing research in a common field. Add to it the informal discussions between graduate students and young researchers (like Science Rocks!) account for improvement in the ability of students to discuss and present their work in the scientific community. The city with its great traditions offers a great place to see the Bavarian and German cultures through number of events ranging from the Oktoberfest to the Christkindlmarkt."

"Considering science, Munich is a hub of excellence; when it comes to sports - it's perfectly suited for numerous disciplines and if you think of any type of leisure, you're definitely in the right place. Situated at the bottom of the Alps, surrounded by woods and lakes, Munich attracts passionate people from all around the world. Vivid and international, the city still maintains its typical Bavarian atmosphere. And if you wish to immerse yourself in the vast variety of scientific opportunities, IDK lets you do so."

"Вeing accepted as an IDK doctorate is a great honour for me. It enabled me to do my PhD exactly in the field I would like. CeNS provides all the kinds of support for members and gives very good chances for professional and personal growth by arranging lectures on the newest scientific achievements and creating network between young researchers. Last but not least, München is one of the best cities in the world and my favorite city. I feel here like home from the very first day. Dreams come true, thanks CeNS for that!"