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Before the start of my internship in May, I envisioned a typical day of my 2025 summer in Switzerland like this: Wake up, make röstis for breakfast, commute to EPFL with the most efficient public transport system you could imagine, work in cutting-edge infrastructures with brilliant researchers, eat a fondue for dinner and finish the day with a beach-volley game or a windsurf session at the lake. And guess what? I couldn’t keep up with the daily röstis and fondue for obvious reasons, but everything else proved true. I completed my internship in a startup called Bioneris, which is affiliated with the Laboratory of Quantum Nano-Optics (LQNO). Their project is to create an automated device for detecting pathogenic bacteria in food samples. It is very interdisciplinary, and I had the chance to work in three different laboratories (one for bacteria, one for nanoparticles, and one for Raman spectroscopy), which allowed me to gain hands-on experience in my field of study, namely bioengineering. The atmosphere couldn’t have been better; we were four colleagues with different skills and worked in a dynamic and respectful environment. For instance, they taught me the fundamentals of machine learning, and I gave them some wet-lab tips! I felt empowered and had a lot of freedom to complete my tasks, which was very rewarding. 
The equipment required to work in EPFL’s clean rooms! Making friends during the summer at EPFL is really easy, as there are plenty of interns and everyone is open-minded and willing to have a pleasant stay here. Here’s my story: During a busy evening at the gym, this Spanish guy named Ángel asked me if we could rotate on a bench. We became friends and hung out with other people several times a week by organizing barbecues, volleyball games, and inevitable swimming sessions in the lake. Although my home university is McGill in Montreal, Canada, I am originally French. Therefore, I didn’t notice significant cultural differences, aside from the Swiss way of saying the numbers 70, 80, or 90! Many people speak French at EPFL, but everyone is comfortable speaking English, which is enriching as I met people from various countries. The quality of life in Lausanne is the best I’ve ever experienced. The landscapes are scenic, very close, and easily reachable thanks to Swiss trains that are always on time. People are friendly and helpful, and many social events happen throughout the summer. As a sports lover, I had the chance to windsurf and stand-up paddle on the lake, play handball, spikeball, and beach volleyball, just by asking around if anyone knew someone who played. To conclude, these three months were a perfect mix of learning, making new friends, and enjoying the Swiss lifestyle. I am grateful to everybody who contributed to making this summer internship unforgettable, and I definitely want to come back in the future! 
Team picture with my colleagues after playing ping-pong during lunchbreak. 
My first picture in Switzerland. It captures this indescribable feeling when you see the mountains and the lake for the first time. 
EPFL’s nautical center: they have catamarans, windsurfs, stand-up paddleboards, and so much more!
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