Program Reviews

Kaust has been one of the best experiences in my life, I had the opportunity to meet amazing people and do passionate research with the best professor at the best facilities.

Everything was very organized and Il felt completely save. They assigned me great roomies in a comfortable house.

One of the most important things was that Saudi Arabia received me with the highest respect for my culture.

This is an experience worth living, I felt at home.
The stipend they give is more than enough to live comfortably

KAUST's internship program is absolutely incredible! It really is a university that cares about its students' education and well-being. The accommodation provided is wonderful, as is the infrastructure of the campus and laboratories. Saudi Arabia is a very beautiful and welcoming country. Campus security is extremely well organized. The medical insurance meets all the criteria.
I am enjoying my experience here much more than I imagined and I certainly plan to come back and recommend it to everyone!

An incredible opportunity to join a world-class research lab at KAUST and explore Saudi Arabia! The VSRP program offers amazing facilities, nice lab mentors, inspiring mentorship, and a cool-vibrant international community. I really highly recommend it to anyone seeking hands-on research experience, networking with people from around the globe, and participating in exciting cultural and outdoor activities in a stunning Red Sea setting. A truly unforgettable experience for all ages and backgrounds!

The VSRP is an amazing internship program because you can stay in a highly inspiring environment for both work experience and human relationships. If you are involved in this program, all the necessities are provided by the university, and VSRP coordinators organize many activities inside and outside the university. This experience gave me the opportunity to work with amazing people and gain new knowledge for my future career. Last but not least, thanks to the VSRP activities, I made new friends and discovered a little bit of the Saudi Arabian culture. Personally, I highly recommend this program!

My experience with the VSRP at KAUST so far has been very positive. The campus is modern and with state-of-the-art research facilities. The support from the Visiting Student Office has been excellent, from visa arrangements to arrival logistics. One of the highlights has been the multicultural environment. It's a great opportunity to meet people from many different backgrounds and work in an international research setting. The lab environment is professional and well-organized, and I’ve felt welcomed by both faculty and fellow researchers.

My internship at KAUST was truly a unique and unforgettable experience. The research environment is outstanding, equipped with cutting-edge facilities and technologies, and I always felt well-supported throughout my time there. I also appreciated the convenience of having resources, shops, and amenities close by, which made daily life much easier. As it was my first time going abroad, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to feel connected—thanks to the vibrant social activities and the diverse, international community on campus.

I really enjoyed living in KAUST and being in this program. The VSRP team was always super nice and helpful and I always felt like I was at home. They provide you with everything you need, so no need to bring anything but a good attitude and clothes.

The people here are really nice and I made really good friends and colleagues. The labs at KAUST are great and they will let you use any equipment you can think of. So there’s a lot to learn here. Also there are lots of activities, from going to the mall to relaxing at the beach.

Living and working at KAUST is one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I came for the science, but what I took away was so much more than just research skills or data sets.

From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the beauty of the Red Sea and the peacefulness of the campus. It felt like a world of its own, calm, inspiring, and full of incredibly passionate people. I was surrounded by researchers from all over the world, each with their own story, and it didn’t take long before those colleagues turned into close friends. We’d share meals, dive trips, and long conversations about science, life, and everything in between.

Every day brought something new, diving among corals I’ve only read about, learning how warming and acidification were affecting reef life, or just sitting by the water at sunset, reflecting on how lucky I was to be there. The Red Sea is one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever seen, and getting to study it firsthand was a dream come true.

But it wasn’t always easy. Living in a new culture, far from home, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I’m so grateful for that. It taught me patience, independence, and how to truly connect with people, even when everything feels unfamiliar at first.

My time at KAUST reminded me why I love marine science, but also helped me grow as a person. It gave me confidence in my path and a deeper sense of purpose in the work I want to do. I left feeling more curious, more grounded, and incredibly inspired.

VSRP is a unique experience, not only because you get a taste of what your postgraduate studies might be like, but also because of the incredible environment KAUST offers. The research experience varies between research units, but it’s always highly valuable thanks to the university’s cutting-edge technology and facilities. Beyond research, KAUST genuinely cares about the well-being of its community. It’s amazing how many hobbies and activities you can explore here — and most of them are free. During the VSRP, you meet wonderful people and form meaningful connections that often turn into lasting friendships. Additionally, you gain travel experiences, both independently and through program-organized trips to other cities, allowing you to learn more about Saudi Arabia and its culture. Inside KAUST, there are plenty of activities like dinner cruises, bowling, kayaking, snorkeling, and more. All the benefits — housing, round-trip flights, activities, and the overall experience — make you want to come back to KAUST for your master’s or PhD.

KAUST offers an outstanding research environment with world-class facilities, a collaborative atmosphere, and access to top researchers in various fields. Beyond the lab, it's also a vibrant international community where you can experience personal and cultural growth. One of the highlights of my stay was the opportunity to explore Saudi Arabia through incredible trips organized by the university. Another valuable part of the experience is the amazing people you meet—many of whom become good friends.