Samina Rajbhandari
INTERVIEW
Major: Signal Processing, Optical Communication System
Intern in Optical Communications Lab
Samina is from Nepal and is currently studying at the Denmark Technical University. She is pursuing a doctorate in Signal Processing, Optical Communication System. She interned in the Optical Communications Lab in Yokohama for ten weeks.
Why did you want to intern at Sumitomo Electric?
I wanted to intern at Sumitomo Electric because it was the ideal way to make my PhD research truly global. This particular internship program stood out to me because it included an external research stay and offered a setting where cutting-edge research makes a real-world impact. As an intern in the Optical Communications Laboratory, I knew I would learn directly from experienced researchers and bring those insights back to strengthen my thesis.
On a personal note, I’ve always been fascinated by Japan — its food, culture, and everyday courtesy — and so the chance to live there while doing research was especially meaningful. For me, this internship combined the best of both worlds: a boost to my scientific growth and a cultural experience I’ve always wanted.
What is the most interesting thing you have learned from this internship?
The most interesting thing I learned was building and validating simulation models for multi-core optical fiber and its crosstalk evaluation. I explored which physical and modeling factors drive crosstalk, compared channel models to represent them accurately, and simulated the measurement setup to quantify error sources. I also learned to adapt to a new cultural and corporate environment in Japan, which helped me prioritize quickly, iterate on the simulations, and deliver meaningful results within a tight timeframe.
What was a typical workday like as an intern at SEI?
A typical day for me would start with waking up around 6:30 am, doing my morning ritual, and heading out of the dorm by 7:15 am. I would walk to Yokohama station, take a 20-minute train ride to Ofuna station, and then hop on a bus to finally reach the office by around 8:15 am. At the office, I would change into company workwear and be ready to work by 8:30 am.
My work was mostly simulation-based, so I began by skimming relevant papers to shape my approach and then moved into building and refining code. At around 11:40 am, I would go to the cafeteria for lunch with my group members and have conversations about work, life, and Japan. After lunch, we’d have our daily stretching session, which I loved as a quick reset. I would then grab myself a cold coffee to beat the summer heat and dive back into work while also checking in regularly with my supervisor and mentor to discuss progress and next steps.
Office hours ended around 5:15 pm. I would usually buy groceries at a local supermarket on my way back to the dorm, cook dinner, and be asleep by 10 pm to ensure I was well rested for the next day.
How has the internship help shaped your career?
As I approach the end of my PhD, this internship at Sumitomo Electric has been pivotal in shaping my next step. The experience has given me the confidence and network to pursue an industry R&D path in optical communications. I have also picked up solid corporate habits — clear documentation, regular check-ins, and disciplined scoping — that have been immensely helpful for my professional growth.
What advice do you have for students considering this internship?
I would encourage students to apply — don’t overthink or self-doubt, even if the internship description doesn’t perfectly match your research field. Many skills transfer. Your supervisor, mentor, and group will help you navigate challenges while giving you the autonomy to propose and test your own ideas. It is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience both Japanese work and daily life and be part of a company with a real legacy.