Although many budding scientists get international experience as part of their postdoc, acquiring international exposure during one's PhD is less common. But it can be just as rewarding.

I'm in the final year of my PhD course in experimental condensed-matter physics, studying magnetism using a technique called neutron scattering. The PhD programme is based at Loughborough University, UK, but a big part of my experimental work is at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in Stuttgart, Germany. Coming from England just after my bachelor's degree in physics was a big step and somewhat risky, both personally and professionally. I wasn't sure it would help my career or suit my personal style. I was faced with a number of questions. Should I stay for further PhD study at my home institution? What topic will help me pave the desired career path? If I do go abroad, where to?

My supervisors, one in England and one in Germany, gave me the freedom to pick research topics and carry out my research at another institute. I was excited about going to the Max Planck Institute, which has people from more than 35 different countries at the PhD and postdoc level.

Once the long road of the PhD is complete, I hope to have the confidence to compete in an increasingly multinational field in order to secure postdoc positions. Although moving abroad means reduced contact with my home university and research community, attending conferences on neutron scattering in Britain has helped me network and develop a sense of the community.

It took some time to settle down, find an apartment and get used to the local life, surroundings and a different language. In the lab, a simple task such as ordering helium for my experiments is complicated by the language barrier. In a few cases, this meant accidentally ordering extra tanks of the stuff.

Still, with persistence, it's been a rewarding and enriching experience both personally and professionally. The Max Planck Institute provides not only a stimulating environment, but ample funding that has helped boost the output of my research considerably. I have access to equipment and resources hard to find at many institutions.

Thus far, I have no regrets. Doing a PhD abroad has improved my knowledge of physics and clarified my career aspirations.