Exploring Engineering: Olivia Zhang’s Senior Internship at Tsinghua University

For her senior year internship, Olivia Zhang ‘25 took her passion for science across the globe to Beijing, where she worked as a research assistant in an engineering lab at Tsinghua University. Over the course of five weeks, Olivia immersed herself in hands-on research, explored the field of engineering, and navigated the challenges of working in a highly professional academic environment.

Choosing the Right Lab

Olivia’s decision to intern at Tsinghua University stemmed from a mix of familiarity, convenience, and curiosity. A native of Beijing, she found it appealing to return home for her internship. Additionally, she had previously worked in the same lab the summer before, giving her a sense of what to expect. Olivia saw this internship as a way to help her decide between two potential academic paths: engineering or physics. “I thought I wanted to do pure research, just physics and science,” Olivia shared. “But after this experience, I realized I actually enjoy hands-on engineering as well. So in a way, the internship made my decision more complicated—but in a good way.”

Work at the Lab

“The first week was mostly orientation,” she explained. “The professor introduced me to the objectives, basic concepts, and I attended lectures while meeting other researchers in the lab.” By the second and third weeks, Olivia was fully engaged in a research project centered on a vibration isolator, a device designed to reduce ground vibrations to maximize experiment efficiency. She spent her days running tests on a computer, adjusting values, and analyzing data sets to optimize the isolator’s performance. “There was a lot of trial and error, adjusting different values and seeing what worked best,” Olivia said. “It was a fascinating process.”

Overcoming Challenges & Making Connections

While the research was engaging, Olivia initially found the social aspect of the internship to be intimidating. “Everyone else in the lab was a PhD student or a professor,” she recalled. “At first, I didn’t know how to connect with them—I was just a high school student sitting in the corner.” However, a turning point came when one of her colleagues, who had studied in the U.S., reached out to her during lunch. Their conversation not only helped her feel more comfortable but also deepened her understanding of the lab’s work. By the end of the internship, Olivia had built meaningful connections with the researchers, gaining insights not just into engineering but also into high-level academic collaboration.

Reflections & Advice for Future Interns

Reflecting on her experience, Olivia emphasized the value of real-world exposure to engineering. “I’ve heard from friends who interned in labs during summer programs, but just listening to them talk about it isn’t the same,” she said. “You really need to try it yourself to know if you like it.”
She highly recommends similar internships to other students, especially those interested in STEAM fields. “If you’re curious about engineering, physics, chemistry, or math, working in a lab is completely different from just learning theory in a classroom. It’s personal—you need to experience it firsthand.”

For Olivia, this internship didn’t just give her technical experience—it broadened her academic interests and solidified her confidence in exploring both research and engineering in college.