5 months at the JPL for Mathilde

My internship, which lasted five months from April to August, exceeded all my expectations. I was coached by two eminent mentors, Dr. Krzysztof Gorski and Dr. Gorski. Krzysztof Gorski and Dr. Graça Rocha. Graça Rocha, both world-renowned cosmologists and experts in the study of the cosmic microwave background, the imprint left by the Big Bang. .
Dès mon arrivée, la Dr.
Rocha m’a accueillie chaleureusement, m’introduisant au sujet de mes recherches et me proposant des pistes d’investigation pour les deux premières semaines.
À partir de ma troisième semaine sur place le Dr.
Gorski est arrivé pour prendre la relève et m’accompagner dans mes travaux.
Alternant entre la Californie et la Pologne, où il occupe également un poste universitaire, nous avons poursuivi nos échanges via Zoom lorsqu’il était à distance.
Pendant ses absences, j’ai continué à collaborer étroitement avec la Dr.
Rocha, mais aussi avec le Dr.
Brandon Hensley, un spécialiste reconnu de la poussière interstellaire, dont l’étude est cruciale pour affiner la détection du fond diffus cosmologique.
Le mois de juillet, bien que moins encadré à cause d’imprévus personnels de mes mentors, m’a offert l’opportunité de me concentrer pleinement sur la rédaction de mon rapport de stage.

What do you take away from this experience on a personal level?

It was a very rewarding experience.
As JPL is a magnet for interns from all over the world, I had the opportunity to meet many people with a passion for science and space.
During the summer, the laboratory welcomes dozens of “Summer interns” every year, most of them American, from the most prestigious universities in the United States. These exchanges have enabled me to discover not only their approach to research, but also their culture, their way of life, and the social differences between our two continents.
What’s more, this year, several French students from ISAE-SUPAERO were also present, so I didn’t feel totally out of place.

Armed with these many encounters, I took advantage of every weekend to explore California and the surrounding area. With my new friends, we hit the highways, visited the national parks and explored the must-see places. In the space of 5 months, I drove almost 16,000 km, which – despite our numerous trips – is fairly representative of Americans’ relationship with cars. Public transport, although very practical, is used by the poorest sections of the population. Although I had expected this lifestyle, I have to admit that Los Angeles has taken it to the extreme. It’s not a city in the sense that we understand it; it’s suburbs stuck together over a huge area. Even other California cities, such as San Diego and San Francisco, are closer to our European cities, and you can walk around them without a care in the world.

What surprised you most during your stay?

Another unexpected aspect of my stay in California was the way Americans relate to global warming and the management of natural resources. Although California is regularly hit by devastating forest fires and extreme heat waves, I was surprised to see the extent to which they have developed effective practices for saving water, a resource that is nevertheless scarce in this region. In residential neighborhoods, for example, it’s common to see rainwater harvesting systems or basins left outside to collect water for irrigation and reuse during dry spells. This showed me that, despite certain perceptions, they are aware of climate challenges, even if they react to them in different ways.

However, their way of life sometimes seems at odds with these practices. It’s not uncommon to drive on multi-lane freeways, often 2*8 lanes, winding through vast urban expanses. Their road network is truly impressive in its scale, but it also reflects their dependence on the car. Unlike France, where you can get around fairly easily by public transport or on foot in the big cities, in California everyone uses the car for the slightest journey, even to get to nearby places. Air conditioning, ubiquitous in homes, cars and shops, is used without moderation, even for temperatures that would be considered bearable in Europe. What seems unthinkable or even excessive in France is the norm here. Their relationship with the environment is therefore very different, oscillating between an awareness of the climate crisis and a way of life that paradoxically contributes to it. It reminded me that, despite our efforts in Europe, we can only achieve lasting solutions through international collaboration and genuine global dialogue on these crucial issues.

Anything else that stood out for you?

Their relationship to the professional world is equally marked by cultural differences. In California, it’s perfectly normal, even encouraged, to be extremely ambitious, to want to climb the ladder and to aim for very high remuneration. Money and success are by no means taboo subjects; on the contrary, they are an integral part of everyday discussions. Americans talk openly about their financial and career goals. In France, on the other hand, the relationship with money is much more discreet, often surrounded by a certain modesty. Discussions of salary or professional success are rarely so direct, and there is sometimes a feeling of embarrassment at the idea of talking about wealth or personal ambition. These cultural differences allowed me to reflect on how each society values success and achievement, and how this shapes professional and social interactions.

On the culinary front, the shock was also quite substantial. After a few weeks of enjoying burgers, milkshakes and Mexican food, delicious thanks to its proximity to Mexico, I began to get bored. The variety of food is limited, and the quality is poor. It’s possible to buy the best quality, but prices are adapted to Californians’ high salaries.

In the middle of my internship, I was lucky enough to attend the Tenth International Conference on Mars, from July 22 to 25, held at Caltech (California Institute of Technology) in Pasadena. This annual conference brings together researchers from all over the world to discuss discoveries and advances in the study of Mars. Captivating lectures took place throughout the week, complemented by poster sessions. I had the opportunity to meet many researchers and expand my network of professional contacts. I even caught up with a friend I’d met during my previous internship at ESA, proving once again just how small the world of research really is.

If you had to sum up your internship

My internship was also punctuated by numerous events organized by JPL. I took part in several theme days, including “Trainee Day” and a day dedicated to the different nationalities represented in the laboratory. Within the Dark Sector team, weekly meetings enabled everyone to share their progress and seek feedback from colleagues. For me, these were the most enriching moments of exchange, as they revealed the collaborative dynamics of the research world and the spirit of debate that reigns there. I learned that even the most experienced researchers can get involved in passionate discussions, and that nothing can ever be taken for granted in this field. I was lucky enough to rub shoulders with some of the world’s leading cosmologists, and I tried to make the most of it.

Beyond the purely scientific aspect, this experience was also a plunge into a unique multicultural environment. JPL brings together researchers, engineers and trainees from all over the world, and it’s this diversity that makes the laboratory so special. Working in such an atmosphere enabled me to discover different ways of approaching problems, and to understand how international collaboration enriches research projects. This not only honed my technical skills, but also strengthened my ability to adapt to a variety of environments, an asset I’ll be able to put to good use in my future career.

On a professional level, this internship at JPL represents a major step forward in my career. Working for NASA is a source of immense personal pride, and an undeniable asset on a CV. My mentors, Drs. Gorski and Dr. Rocha. My mentors, Dr. Gorski and Dr. Rocha, are well-known figures in the field of cosmology, and I know that this will help me in my future career. This internship has therefore confirmed that I want to pursue a career in research, and I’m now ready to start a PhD in cosmology at EPFL, in the Cosmo-3D group, at the beginning of November. For ISAE-SUPAERO, it’s also an excellent showcase to be able to say that its students are regularly welcomed by NASA. I believe that this collaboration between the two institutions will continue to grow, not least thanks to the quality of the French trainees, who are often well above the average of American students.

Any final words?

If I had to sum up this experience, I’d say it not only helped me mature professionally, but also personally. I learned how to manage periods of uncertainty, persevere despite obstacles, and stay focused on my objectives. This internship also reminded me of the importance of remaining curious, constantly learning and never ceasing to question established certainties. Those five months were a real adventure, both intellectual and human, which will remain engraved in my memory forever.

I just want to say a big thank you to all our donors. I hope they know how important their support can be for the students, and that we will be grateful to them for a long time to come.