“The WEHI InSPIRE internship programme was a rare chance to spend a summer vacation gaining research experience while immersed in a different academic and cultural environment overseas. With the programme covering almost all expenses, it was an opportunity not to pass up.”
Deborah Loh (SPS batch 24)
The following is Deborah’s Walter Eliza Hall Institute’s (WEHI) International Student Program in Research Experience (InSPIRE) internship experience. This is a program dedicated to fostering international collaboration among students from leading Asian universities.
The Culture Shock (In A Good Way)
Before arriving in Melbourne, I often heard about the relaxed Australian work culture, where people enjoyed comparatively shorter working hours and could take multiple days or even weeks off to travel. While this was partly true, I soon realised it was not as universal as I had anticipated. Some of the other interns worked long hours and had demanding schedules, highlighting that work culture continues to be lab-specific and one should not come with too strong a premeditated expectation.
What stood out consistently, however, was the high level of trust between supervisors and staff. Principal Investigators (PIs) were less inclined to micromanage compared to what I was familiar with in Singapore. This autonomy cultivated an environment that encouraged independence and initiative, even in students.
Another aspect that impressed me was WEHI’s administration. The onboarding process, from obtaining access passes to securing laptops and booking equipment, was streamlined and seamless. This reflected the high professionalism and consideration WEHI has for all their staff and visitors, including students.
The Research Experience
Working alongside some of the most respected scientists in the field was a genuine privilege. It was inspiring to observe how researchers approached open-ended questions in their field. One phrase from my lab’s PI, Prof. John Silke, stuck with me: “The best organisation tool is the bin.”, reflecting his philosophy of focusing on doing good science rather than becoming cluttered up in details.
I thoroughly enjoyed working at WEHI, specifically the Parkville campus, where access to well-maintained facilities and resources streamlined the experimental process. Unlike some experiences in Singaporean labs with more limited resources, WEHI’s infrastructure allowed us to focus our efforts on producing meaningful results and less on preparing the materials we needed.
Interestingly, while I initially applied for the InSPIRE programme to learn from the different cultures and approaches of a research institute overseas, I noticed that research performed at WEHI was not much different from that in Singapore. It is fascinating to see how scientific research done across the world is based on the same principles, creating a bridge for meaningful and productive conversations between labs across borders.
All in all, I believe the WEHI InSPIRE programme brought the most value in terms of establishing connections with experts, researchers, and students in Australia, helping to build a network that stretches beyond Singapore. It also places students directly in the heart of Melbourne’s Biomedical Precinct, spearheading one’s career within a global leader in biomedical research. If I had the chance to participate in InSPIRE again, I would do it 5 times over.
