Apeejay student shines at Yale: Adam Bashneen narrates his internship experience

Meet Adam Bashneen, an exceptional student from Apeejay School, Saket, who recently achieved a milestone that has left his school bursting with pride. In March of this year, Adam’s remarkable talent and dedication secured him a coveted summer internship offer from none other than Yale University, one of the most prestigious institutes in the US.

How he made it? He applied for the internship programme after taking the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) exam. At the said exam, he secured an impressive 99 percentile. “I also built a strong profile for which my school helped a lot,” he says. So, don’t confuse Adam to be a regular student – he is a basketball player, pianist as well as an avid reader.

Embarking on this exciting opportunity in June 2023, Adam spent a transformative month at Yale, where he not only honed his skills and acquired new knowledge but also indulged in a diverse range of extracurricular activities and sports. Join us as we delve into his awe-inspiring journey, and discover how his invaluable experience at Yale is set to shape the course of his future. Read On.

Can you share some of the key responsibilities and projects you were involved in during your internship at Yale? How did these experiences align with your academic and career interests?

My internship was focused on the fields of Engineering and Mathematics. Some of the key projects I was part of was creating hydraulic systems. So, coupled with a team of fellow students, we created robotic arms, automated bridges, and stabilised towers to name a few. I also made several presentations based on Engineering-oriented theories.  

In future, I hope to enroll myself at one of the Ivy Leagues for a programme based on Robotics and Engineering. I am sure that this experience will help me further my pursuit.

What was the most memorable aspect of your summer internship at Yale?

A certain programme based on Secret Societies was extremely intriguing. Yale has many houses, each has its own set of qualities. Therefore, the orientation to these was fantastic! I was enlightened about life skills and how these societies can help acquire it.  

How is the work environment and culture? Were there any challenges and how did you overcome them?

The work environment and culture has a practical methodology. At Yale, everyone is focused on implementing concepts taught in the class. The challenges weren’t as many. Of course, my schedule changed a fair bit and the month-long internship was laborious. However, I cherish every bit of it.

Did your summer internship at Yale exceed your expectations?

The internship showed me how one can pair academics with extra-curriculars and sports. At Yale, building skills is at the centre of academics. I also participated and won at a debate competition and bagged a cash prize worth a hundred dollars. Besides, I received the best academic award and also got a letter of recommendation from the University.

How has your time at Yale impacted your perspective on your chosen field of study or career path?

At Yale, I learnt a lot about the field of Engineering. I understood and participated in creating complex models. In doing so, I received good exposure which further strengthened my resolve to pursue the domain.

How did you benefit from being part of such an esteemed institute?

The advantage of being part of such a prestigious institute lies in the opportunities and facilities it can provide. One can easily pursue their interests and passions in every field at Yale, as they have everything to further one’s curiosities. So, having good resources at one’s disposal is a huge plus for being able to achieve something great.

Can you share some experiences where you collaborated with others during your internship?

Yes. I got a chance to interact with students from other countries such as Greece, the UK, China, Kazakhstan, Korea and Germany. Everyone brought new perspectives and skills to the projects; it was truly enriching. So, we learned a lot from each other.  

What are the most important lessons you’ve learnt?

The most important lesson I learnt was to be patient. When one goes to a new place, far from home, one has to understand how to grasp things slowly and steadily. So, at first, I wanted to rush and do everything but that didn’t work out. Later, I realised how to channel my energy in the right manner and manage things smoothly.

Professionally, I learnt that when one works in a team, it is crucial to understand what each person has to say. To be able to take in everyone’s point of view and work on something collaboratively, is an important thing. The experience helped my ability to adapt to new situations.  

Can you discuss any networking opportunities or events during your time at Yale?

The institute provided many such opportunities to me. From Yale Secret Societies to Yale Olympics, it had everything! I was part of masterclasses as well as basketball games. So, all in all, it was quite holistic in nature.

Advice you would give to other students considering similar opportunities at Yale or elsewhere.

My advice to others: I began working towards my profile right from classes II or III. That’s what helped me bag an opportunity at Yale. So, the earlier one starts and engages with different extra-curricular activities at various levels, it will be quite helpful. These add a lot of value to the application. Alongside, your PSAT score must be good.  

I also want to mention that none of this would have been possible without the constant support and guidance of Dr Sujeet Eric Masih, Principal at Apeejay School, Saket. All my teachers in the school built the foundation for my success and my parents, grandparents too kept encouraging me in the pursuit of excellence.