By Emily Hubbell

Above: Kangkang outlines the SPIRE program for members of the audience.

Below: Dr. Smith and Dr. Stumpf view a slide showing one of the pieces of equipment Kangkang used while researching at the University of Hamburg.

Graduate student Kangkang Wang reflected on his time in Hamburg, Germany on Thursday, in a presentation titled, “My Experience with SPIRE.” The presentation emphasized both the research and cultural aspects of his time abroad.

Wang spent Fall Quarter at the University of Hamburg, working closely with nano scientists and other graduate students in order to learn new research skills.  His study abroad research experience is part of the Spin-Polarized Partnership for International Research and Education (SPIRE), a program funded by the National Science Foundation. SPIRE provides an opportunity for undergraduate, graduate, post-doctoral and journalism students from OU to interact with leading nanoscience specialists at universities located in Hamburg, Germany and Buenos Aires, Argentina.  SPIRE students are required to present what they learned abroad once they return to Athens.   

During his presentation, Wang emphasized the bonds he created with other researchers at the University of Hamburg. He also discussed the delicate situation of repairing the expensive equipment he used when it malfunctioned and the importance of learning low temperature research techniques.  

The graduate student also stressed the cultural differences between Athens and Hamburg.  Wang recalled that during his first few weeks in the country, he bumped his head numerous times while showering because German showers are so small.

The power point was also filled with photographs of the university, the Elbe River and other Hamburg landmarks. At the end of his speech, Wang answered questions from the audience, which consisted of about twenty students and faculty members.

For more on Kangkang's time in Hamburg, go here.