Research Visit University of Sydney, Australia

Applicant: Sven Prüß
Fb04, Information Systems

Organization
First of all, I am deeply grateful for the financial support from the Santander Mobility Fund, which enabled my research stay at the University of Sydney (USYD). This funding made it possible for me to spend the summer of 2024 abroad in Sydney while working on my master’s thesis. The opportunity to conduct my research at USYD came about thanks to my initial supervisor, Professor Klein. When I expressed my interest in completing my thesis abroad, he suggested reaching out to Professor Kai Riemer at USYD. Professor Riemer, who completed his PhD and habilitation at the University of Münster (UM), has supervised UM master’s students in the past and maintains a strong connection to his alma mater. After I sent Professor Riemer an email outlining my research proposal, he quickly agreed to support my plans and organized the necessary arrangements for my stay. The administrative process was straightforward; the universities handled the organizational aspects quickly, and my only major requirement was obtaining a visa. At USYD, I was officially recognized as a visiting researcher, which meant I did not need to pay tuition fees since I was not enrolled in any courses.

Research Environment
As a visiting researcher at the Business School and the Institute for Information Systems, I had access to the office where Professor Riemer and his team worked. This also extended to the shared spaces used by the institute’s PhD students and other professors. Beyond my interactions with Professor Riemer and Professor Peters, this gave me the opportunity to connect with a broader network of researchers, including PhD students and faculty members. This environment enriched my experience in two ways. First, it provided a collaborative and enjoyable workspace. Instead of working in isolation day after day, I had the chance to share an office setting with motivated colleagues. We enjoyed lunches, coffee breaks, and casual conversations, creating a more relaxed and engaging atmosphere than working alone in a library. Second, being surrounded by  researchers with diverse experiences allowed me to receive valuable feedback on my thesis. Several researchers generously took the time to challenge and critique my initial drafts of research designs. Their insights enhanced the quality of my thesis and taught me new approaches to problem-solving and research. USYD itself is a highly modern and well-equipped university. My thesis required substantial computational resources as it involved analyzing millions of observations and constructing complex measures. The university granted me access to its high-performance computing cluster, without which my large-scale study would not have been feasible. Additionally, the university offered other small nice-to-have perks such as 24/7 access, and affordable (and really good) coffee and lunch options on campus.

Cultural Experience
Sydney is a dynamic city with beautiful beaches, a diverse cultural mix, and friendly people. There’s something for everyone to enjoy. It was a great place to spend my free time and made for a fun and enjoyable experience outside of work.

Conclusion
Overall, conducting my thesis abroad at USYD was an invaluable experience, and I highly recommend it to other master’s students at the University of Münster. Studying in Australia, particularly in Sydney, was an excellent choice, and both the University of Sydney and Professor Riemer provided outstanding support. If anyone is considering doing their master’s thesis abroad and has any questions or wants to know more, feel free to reach out to me.