Anoop comes from India and works in Jena as a design engineer at mi2-factory GmbH in Jena-Süd. He previously completed his Master’s degree in Scientific Instrumentation at the Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences in Jena. In the interview, he tells us about his everyday life as a student in Jena, his experiences at his employer and what special features he appreciates here.
Anoop, where are you from and what brought you to Jena?
I am from India and came to Jena in 2019 to pursue my Master’s degree. When I made the decision to do my Master’s in Germany, I started looking for an ideal location. Jena immediately piqued my interest when I heard that it was a vibrant student city. When I learnt more about Jena, my decision was clear.
Studying abroad is a challenge. What challenges did you face when you came to Jena? How did you overcome these challenges? Do you have any tips or recommendations for other students here in Jena?
The first challenge I faced was finding accommodation in Jena. Thanks to the help of the Studierendenwerk Thüringen, I was able to solve this problem within a few weeks of my arrival. Then, just as I was getting used to the new environment in Jena, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out and the lockdown posed an even bigger challenge. It was hard when I realised that the situation would last for several months, but I managed to look at things positively and use the time to focus on my studies. Later, when things had returned to normal, I looked for ways to balance my social life. I really enjoyed participating in events at my university, such as International Day and the International Stammtisch. As a member of the Career Group at my university, I helped many students find suitable internships and thesis positions.
I joined the hiking group “Hiking Jena” and participated in events like litter picking in nature with cultural scientist Lars Polten. I also volunteered for UNICEF to help with fundraising events. My academic achievements and my active social commitment played a decisive role in my being awarded the Deutschlandstipendium in 2021. My advice to other students: You will probably encounter many challenges during your studies in Jena. It is important to keep a positive attitude and make the best of every situation, no matter what.
What do you like most about your company and your work?
The aspect I like the most about mi2-factory is the start-up atmosphere with an interdisciplinary team. As of July 2023, I have completed one year of work with mi2-factory and throughout this time I have experienced the utmost friendliness and support from my colleagues.
What has your company been particularly good at supporting you with?
The onboarding process went smoother than I had expected. Although I don’t speak German very well, my colleagues didn’t complain about it. Right from day one, I felt like an integral part of the team. The company values my opinion and gives me freedom at work. This support and confidence has greatly boosted my self-confidence and encouraged me to keep improving.
What are the biggest differences in everyday work and life between your home country and Jena?
The work-life balance here is truly enjoyable. I appreciate the trust-based approach to working time, which is entirely new to me. I like the flexibility to schedule my work time according to my convenience.
Last but not least, three quick questions:
- When you think back – what was the first thing you noticed in or about Jena?
The first thing I noticed about Jena is that it’s green, clean, and well-organized.
- What is typically German or typically Jena for you?
Privacy and punctuality.
- And what is your favourite place in the city?
I enjoy spending time by hiking and seeing the beautiful views in Jena. I have several favourite places in Jena, making it hard to choose just one. However, my top three places are Fuchsturm, Johannisberg, and Sonnenberg.
Thank you very much for the interesting interview and all the best!
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More about mi2-factory GmbH
mi2-factory GmbH develops and supply a highly innovative tool for manufacturing efficient power semiconductor microchips. mi2-factory GmbH sells a novel, in-house developed process technology: Energy-Filtered Ion Implantation (EFII©) in combination with the production machine EFITRON©. Microchip producers buy EFII© for cost saving, performance increase and design innovation in semiconductor power device manufacturing for chips that are applied in the fields: Electro Mobility, Photovoltaic, Wind Power, Traction, Industrial Drives and Grid. mi2-factory GmbH took 2nd place in IQ Innovationspreis Mitteldeutschland 2023 in the energy/environment/solar industry cluster.
