My Journey to a Research Internship at IIT BHU

The Search for Opportunities

In January 2024, I began thinking about securing a summer internship. Being a second-year student with limited experience, I realized that landing an internship at a major MNC would be challenging. This led me to explore other avenues, including research internships at educational institutions. I discovered two main paths: applying through internship programs organized by various colleges and cold emailing professors directly.

A Surprising Opportunity

While emailing professors, I received a reply from Dr. Chinmaya K A at IIT BHU. He asked me to write a plagiarism-free report on one of eight given topics. I chose "Fault Detection in Multilevel Converters Using ML" and submitted the report within five days. After a week of waiting, I followed up and was told that the results would take more time as there were many applicants and only one spot available.

Five days later, while sitting in my hostel balcony with friends, I received an email congratulating me on being selected for the research internship under Dr. Chinmaya K A. Overjoyed, I now faced a choice between IIT Patna and IIT BHU. After consulting with friends and considering factors like proximity to home, I decided on IIT BHU.

Preparing for the Internship

Varanasi is six hours from my home, and I had to report to IIT BHU on May 15th. We booked a train for that morning, but on checking its status, I saw it was five hours late. After discussing with my parents, we found another train from a different station and managed to reach Varanasi on time.

The reporting process at IIT BHU went smoothly, and I was allotted a room with a roommate, Hemang from Manipal University. The next day, I walked through the tree-lined campus to the Electrical Department, which was about 800 meters from my hostel. The campus, with its serene Vishwanath Temple and open bike policy, left a great first impression.

Meeting Dr. Chinmaya K A

Dr. Chinmaya K A was welcoming and kind. He asked about my journey and college before discussing the project. He offered me two options: a fully AI/ML-based project or a project related to my branch, "Fault Detection in Multilevel Inverters Using ML." Since I had already written a report on the latter, I chose it.

Moving Forward

With 15-17 days left, Dr. Chinmaya suggested learning about DSP (Digital Signal Processing) and implementing my ML model on hardware. Although DSP was confusing, I began learning its basics and preparing for the next steps.

A Technological Challenge

Around this time, my phone broke and stopped working. Living without a phone for weeks was quite challenging, as we are all heavily dependent on it for everything from morning alarms to payments to maps. I had to shift all my activities to my laptop, including setting alarms, making payments, and navigating. I switched from using UPI to cash, which was a significant adjustment. This experience taught me resilience and adaptability in an increasingly digital world.

Personal Reflections

Living alone in a new city was a learning experience in itself. Although I had a similar experience at the start of college, it was different because everyone was new and eager to make friends. At IIT BHU, most of the students already had established friend groups, and many were away on summer holidays, making it harder to connect.

I learned to navigate this challenge by visiting places alone, exploring the beautiful city of Varanasi. The ghats, in particular, left a lasting impression on me. I visited many temples and soaked in the rich cultural heritage of the city. This solo exploration taught me independence and resilience.

One evening, while walking along the ghats, I remember thinking, "This city has a soul, and every corner has a story to tell." Varanasi's beauty, especially its ghats at sunrise and sunset, was mesmerizing. Each visit felt like a new adventure, and I started appreciating the peace and calmness of exploring alone.

Conclusion

This journey taught me perseverance, the value of seeking advice, and the importance of exploring multiple avenues. My internship at IIT BHU was not just about learning technical skills but also about personal growth and resilience. Living alone in Varanasi, making independent decisions, and exploring a new city added a new dimension to my experience.

As Dr. Murli Sariki advised, "It's your life; you should choose what's better for you. Don't think about me or anyone else." These words stayed with me throughout my journey and guided me in making the best decisions for myself.

I returned home with not just technical knowledge but also a sense of accomplishment and confidence. The beauty of Varanasi, especially its ghats, and the challenge of living independently in a new city enriched my internship experience, making it a memorable chapter of my life.