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.
Nancy’s experience at ENS de Lyon
Nancy, a 22-year-old aspiring scientist, completed her five-month internship at the CIRI under the supervision of Vincent LEGROS. She is a student at IISER Mohali, and her research focuses on determinants of host innate immunity that may couteract infection by the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic.She has always been passionate about virology. Her previous experiences in the field fueled her interest, and she sought an opportunity to explore it further through an internship.
Nancy’s decision to study in France was influenced by her fascination with French culture, which she had discovered through various books and TV series. Her choice for ENS de Lyon was largely guided by recommendations from senior students who had previously interned there. The BIOSANTEXC program gave her the opportunity to come to France. Upon her arrival, she had a positive impression of her lab. She found it well-equipped with advanced techniques and new machines, which made it exciting to work with cutting-edge technology.
ENS de Lyon is a prestigious institution in France. The feedback I received from past interns helped me finalize my decision. CIRI is particularly impressive, with multiple labs dedicated to virology. I believe it is one of the best in the country.
During her internship, Nancy had the opportunity to interact with various students and researchers. She met many people through sports and lab activities and found them all to be welcoming. She attended several seminars and virology conferences, which enriched her academic journey.
One thing I liked about ENS de Lyon is that multiple labs work in virology, and researchers frequently discuss their work, exchanging valuable ideas. Additionally, everyone speaks English, making communication easier. Having two fellow Indian researchers in my lab was also a bonus-I could talk to them in Hindi.
Nancy believes that her internship at ENS de Lyon was a transformative experience. She reflects that it opened new horizons for her, helping her develop resilience, patience, and independence over the five-month stay in Lyon. Her scientific knowledge and technical skills also improved, increasing her chances for future academic and professional opportunities.
This experience allowed me to determine if virology was truly my calling," she shares "Although I have applied elsewhere, I will most likely begin my PhD at ENS de Lyon. I am particularly interested in virology and host factors.
Despite the overall positive experience, she faced some administrative hurdles. However, she found daily life in France quite convenient.
Everything is close by, and since I had friends here, I didn’t encounter many difficulties.
As for whether she would recommend the BIOSANTEXC program and ENS de Lyon to other students, her answer was a resounding yes. She had a great experience here. The supervision was excellent; she had daily interactions with her supervisor and weekly meetings with the lab director. She also praised the institution’s resources, noting that the facilities, funding, and technical training were outstanding.
