A Day in the Life of an MIT PhD Student - Working Remotely from Switzerland

A Day in the Life of an MIT PhD Student working remotely from a little paradise in Switzerland
Get one week for free + 25% discount on a Blinkist subscription through my link: www.blinkist.com/nc/partners/...
Did you ever hear about some groundbreaking and life-changing books that you always wanted to read, but never had the time to do so? Blinkist may help!
▬ In this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
You can join me on a typical day in my summer working remotely from Switzerland. I am a PhD candidate at MIT working on theoretical research in machine learning and quantum algorithms. As I can do my research from anywhere in the world, I decided to move to Switzerland for a few months. I used to live nearby, while studying at EPFL, but never really had the chance to explore the country.
I got up quite early in the morning to do some cardio. After breakfast, I started writing my research paper for MIT. Around noon, I started doing slightly unsafe experiments with frozen nitrogen, and then watched the Tour de France passing through my tiny village. Next, I traveled to EPFL for a meeting, and then hit the gym for a while. In the evening I had to bike through the vineyards to get some more groceries, for a beautiful evening grill in my garden.
▬ Follow me for more content ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Instagram: / samuel.bosch
LinkedIn: / samuel-bosch
TikTok: / boschsamuel
▬ Timestamps ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
0:00 - Morning routine
3:03 - Research
3:29 - 2nd breakfast
4:26 - Groceries
5:06 - Accident
5:34 - Samuel’s dangerous science experiment
6:14 - Tour de France accident
7:00 - Meeting at EPFL
8:00 - Crypto startup idea
8:33 - Gym
9:06 - Cooking
9:36 - Bike ride out of a fairy tail
12:53 - Evening grill
14:33 - Ending

[@oneoakconsultants4531]

This is so encouraging- I know of instances where funding has been withdrawn for remote working when it’s not necessary to be on campus - yet times have changed PhD candidates can research , write and live a good life without loosing their sense of purpose , Kudos!

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thank you 😊 Yeah, it was really nice to spend some time in Switzerland!

[@nathanfontanilla1708]

Day in my life videos are honestly my favorite 🔥

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thanks Nathan, yeah they are always fun to watch 😁

[@johannes4387]

You've got quite some things packed into one day, astonishing and you manage to transport a very calm and chill energy despite of that. I like your positive attitude towards life.

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thank you so much 😊

[@harshitverma889]

You really are an inspiration to me! Yes, a meal prep video would be great!

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thank you Harshit, I’ll make such a video in the near future 🙂

[@andalibsamandari4977]

+1

[@EduardoHenrique-nd1ro]

Another amazing video, Samuel! Thanks for sharing! Cheers from Brazil!

[@gangstaflower2262]

You live in an absolute beautiful place, pls keep uploading this kind of videos 👌

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thank you 😊

[@nicohambauer]

This bike ride really looks chill! For a short vacation or some remote work this is perfect!

[@omgplsno4999]

yess, I‘d love to see a video about your meals + workout routine, especially how you manage to bulk besides studying/working! keep up the great work!!

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thank you :)

[@nicedragon5428]

Hey Samuel, first of all this is another great video! I love the energy and the effort you put into each one of these. Also, I was especially excited to see this video as it is in Switzerland. And not just anywhere, but close to where I am headed! In the coming weeks I will be in Montreux. If you ever have some spare time and are unsure what to do (I doubt this is ever the case) then maybe I could invite you for a coffee or something to eat! Anyways, keep these videos coming. They are indeed of great help and motivation to all of us!! ☺️

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thanks for the comment Nice 🙂 I am soon heading back to the US, but maybe well have some overlapping time 🙂

[@oikawaiitoru1949]

this makes me more productive for a day, such a nice vlog ✨

[@melissenbonbon]

Hi Sam! I came across your videos after I saw you on Niklas’ podcast. Very nice channel and content! Your CV is impressive. And as a chemistry PhD student I can confirm that it is solid CO2, not N2. Switzerland is beautiful, I actually move to Zürich next month to start a postdoc.

[@ShefsofProblemSolving]

Man the background music you chose for this video was AMAZING. Especially the intro music! Loved it!

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thank you! 😊

[@lifewalk244]

I did my MBA at IMD in Lausanne. So many memories. Truly wonderful place where you live. I visited your village often as well as Lutry etc. Keep up the work and all the best with your research and PhD:)

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

That’s awesome! Thank you 😊

[@frankbosch9480]

Wieder ein ganz toller Video mit vielen lustigen und schönen Filmideen. Wirklich sehr gut gefilmt und eine wunderschöne Landschaft.

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Danke :)

[@daRich_X]

yes I would like to see more of your food prep and recipes! you look so healthy, it would be interesting to learn what you eat and don't eat.

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

I think I will do that soon 🙂

[@igorciganovic4647]

Samo naprijed prijatelju velika si inspiracija.Snimi neki video o tome kako se nositi sa obavezama, pritiskom, kako otajes motiviran i jesi li imao prolazne padove motivacije i kako si ih rjesio msm da bi to bilo jako korisno svima nama. Ruke bazuke 💪

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Excellent ideas! I added this to my video idea list. I'll have to properly do my research first and think about if I really have enough to say about this topic, but most likely I will make a video about this sometime soon 🙂

[@alexjbriiones]

omg, that view in Switzerland is the best in the world. U are sooooo lucky.

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

It is beautiful indeed! 🙂

[@mariusgrewe7490]

I want to see all your super fast meal prep and bodybuilding recipes. I would love it!

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Coming soon! 💪

[@Sakura-zu4rz]

❤Your channel is literally my comfort place. You make me so happy. ❤😁❤

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thank you so much 😊

[@dariomiranda8215]

Great videos! I am a PhD student too, now in a research stay in Bologna, and i like seeing routines like yours! Ah! For curiosity, the ice is CO2 solid! Enjoy your trip in Switzerland!

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Hey Dario, thanks for the comment! Yeah, it's CO2 indeed - Nitrogen would be really really cold hehehe

[@jhamdan2012]

This is the best video because of the breathtaking views.

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

😊

[@terez2102]

I love your videos!

[@sevenmaster]

Lucky you, that you found this nice place to live there. Looks really beautiful, great video. I just try to find a room for six months, so I can do my exchange semester at EPFL, and I have no luck for months now. It's a mess.

[@nicih9251]

Hi! Habe gerade deinen Kanal entdeckt und mache auch gerade ein doctoral program in den Staaten (PsyD in clinical psychology). Da ich die einzige internationale Studentin in unserem Program bin, freue ich mich riesig, von deinen Erfahrungen zu hören! Drücke dir die Daumen für all deine Pläne in der Zukunft! :)

[@zinhaboussi]

Schöne

[@MrEddher]

Your videos are wonderful, your channel is very good. This place is divine. 👏 Success !

[@dorian7046]

great video. admire your work ethic

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thank yoU! 🙂

[@pilou3449]

I would definitely love to have a video about your meal recipes to build muscles !

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

💪💪💪

[@fp_yanter9686]

Love the content! Subbed!

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thank you! 🙂

[@aniketkedare8]

i always get inspired by watching your videos

[@aniketkedare8]

why are you not in Cambridge Massachusetts ?

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thank you! 🙂

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

I am working remotely over the summer! :)

[@rius3044]

Would love to see a video about your diet

[@jonashasslauer]

Bitte mehr von solchen Videos!

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Danke Jonas! 🙂

[@teevalsamlal2776]

Awesome video You're inspiring me and I'm from Trinidad

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thank you Teeval, I really appreciate your comment! Glad to hear my videos are watched in Trinidad 🇹🇹 🙂

[@TheBruceKeller]

Man, you're winning the game of life!

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Haahhahaha thanks 😊

[@superueli2714]

hey nice video as always :) i'm studying in switzerland (zurich) at the moment and it's very nice here. I wanted to ask if you could make a video about the math behind trading? so no financial advice or strategy :)) but the pure mathematics behind the decisions to enter into a trade or not. I would find that very interesting to understand.

[@ishratrhidita9393]

Your next video should be about how to be in the best shape while doing a Ph.D. :D. I am a big fan of your videos.

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Hey Ishrat, I’m actually almost done with exactly this video 🙂 it will be released in the next 2-4 weeks

[@ishratrhidita9393]

@@SamuelBoschMIT niceee :D I am starting my PhD this fall. I have also started to embrace the fit life and am looking forward to your new video.

[@technikexpert0163]

Mealprep wäre wild

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Machen wir 🙂 eines Tage starte ich noch einen Fitness channel 😂💪💪💪

[@david.breyer]

Love your videos, they inspire me a lot and I think it was a great choice to start a KZbin channel. I'd like to give some feedback on your videos, this is just my opinion, but hopefully, it will help you. - Try using a catchy hook at the beginning of your video - Try summarizing longer parts like the Bike ride out of a fairy tail to a montage - You should try using more text on screen. This will make the viewer focused on the video to not miss anything. - Try changing the camera angles more often in scenes like (3:03, 3:29, 4:26) By the way, I love the "dangerous science experiment part, and your village looks gorgeous.

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Hi David, glad you like my videos! Also, thank you for the feedback, truly appreciate it and trying to produce better and better content each time :)

[@KALElite01]

A video about your meal prep would be helpful!

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Will do 🙂

[@nicolair1999]

It's insane what you get done in a day

[@profbull7191]

Haha der Stickstoff von der Migros nehm ich immer für Experimente 😄 schönes Video

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Ja, ist Stickstoff 😂

[@zinhaboussi]

You're inspiring man

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thank you 🙂

[@alexkonopatski429]

I love your vids! Can you pls link the paper somewhere once it's ready? Have a great day!

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Hey Alex, you will definitely be able to see it on Google scholar and Arxiv as soon as it is released :)

[@Sindbad232]

He's just casually living in the most beautiful place on earth

[@SuryaSurya-re3vn]

What a great nice place to work remotely! I envy you! :D from Indonesia.

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

It is indeed beautiful here, I feel very lucky :) Thanks for watching!

[@MrKrtek00]

2 hours work! i love it! just like everyone should!

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

😂

[@niranjanca3534]

Awesome🎉

[@ipfimamphwe9510]

thanks for inspiration i like your videos. my favorate youtuber

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

You’re very welcome 😉

[@solaimansohan9201]

😍😍😍 nice content

[@sarfaraz9566]

Awesome video ❣️❣️🔥

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thank you! 😊

[@ptadisbander7959]

Spent a bunch of Time There in canton Vaud. Closer to vevey. Insanely beautiful part of the world

[@fauzaniman9846]

Hi Samuel, great video! One question, how do u manage your time and energy for PhD, startup, social life, gym, etc?

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thank you Fauzan, I think I will soon make a video about precisely this topic 🙂

[@mohitmishra3091]

i think by not spending much time on social media..as we all are doing...he went from consumer to creator zone.. !! great

[@miro_gra2706]

Finde es krass wie fokussiert und diszipliniert du bist, ehrlich größten Respekt dafür🤝. Und wie immer ein hammer Video! War mir eine Freude mir das anschauen zu dürfen 😁

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Hey Miro, hab schon auf deinen Kommentar gewartet! 🙂 Ich hoffe dir geht es gut!

[@miro_gra2706]

@@SamuelBoschMIT 😂😂 ja klar mir geht's gut hatte nur viel um die Ohren die letzten Tage und keine Zeit das Video früher zu schauen. Irgendwann wenn ich wieder mehr Zeit habe werde ich aber wieder der erste sein der die Videos schaut ☝

[@stormy4537]

Impressive physique! How long have you been training and are you always in a caloric surplus ?

[@chrisbale7337]

9:34 Great video as always :) May I ask what camera equipment you use? And, is that a teleprompter mounted on your cam?

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

hahhahha I don't have a teleprompter 🙂 Just a mic and light connected to it. It's a ZV-E10 and and GoPro 10

[@jackbauer1274]

Hello! I’ve first encountered your video about understanding math intuitively while I was searching for videos about why learning math is more tiring than other objects, and I was amazed of your achivements! :) Congratulations! I’m currently in my final year of high school and I also want to become a mechanical engineer, but math was always hard for me. I never understood the basics probably and my teachers were ugh…. My exams are around the corner and I decided to focus on math 100% But after doing hard exercises for 2 hours I could hardly do more because of how tired I was. I’ve never experienced this with other subjects. What do you think may be the problem? Is the reason because problem solving requires more energy from the brain than memorizing? What do you think I should do?

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Hey Jack, thanks for reaching out 🙂 i think the reason is just that for some things you don’t really have to use your brain much, so it feels like you’re doing something without getting tired. But this may he a false impression, since you’re just going through the motion of memorizing something, and not actively training your brain. I can go for a walk for hours without getting tired. But I get tired after a few minutes of running quickly. The later helps me become better and faster. Just walking may be fun, but doesn’t really do much 🙂

[@jackbauer1274]

@@SamuelBoschMIT So what do you recommend? :) How did you prepare for hard math exams or competitions?

[@Beutilo]

Please do a meal prep video!

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Will do :)

[@IsaiNRodas]

You should Visit Marin County in Nor Cal

[@user-hs9yo4lb5p]

U inspire me

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thank you 😊

[@raycrou8837]

Hey Samuel. I noticed you said it was hard to get royalty free music replying to comment that the music was 'schrecklich'. Have you tried 'thmatic' or 'thematic music'? Good music library.

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Hey Ray, I don’t edit my own videos so I don’t actually know where all of my music comes from. It might be from one of these libraries 🙂

[@TrickyLife945]

No matter how much we shit about finance sector, we can't ignore how much innovative it is!! You are an inspiration

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

It’s also not my favorite sector, tbh! And thank you 😊

[@TrickyLife945]

@@SamuelBoschMIT yes, tech looks more interesting to me too

[@anastesla6566]

Very enjoyable video! The productivity, tranquility (also the inserted jokes / memes) and the beautiful place coupled have made this a really nice and especially motivating video. Also the quality of the video is once again on point! You really hammer out one thing after the other. Only one criticism: Where was the morning prayer to the Lord and Savior Arnold??? 😂

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Hhahhahahah I forgot to pray 🙏

[@owen246]

Hey Sam, is your advisor okay with you working on startup stuff with research? I'm working on my PhD and am thinking about a neuromorphic computing startup but I don't know how the program would react to it

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

I'm not really spending much time on this. But my advice to you is: if you don't ask for permission, nobody can cay no 🙂

[@polarjsapkota2484]

I'm very interested in knowing how you managed to set up your stay in Switzerland Samuel. And wow, the place is absolutely gorgeous. I slipped into tranquility watching that bike ride with the sea in the background.

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thank you :) Well, it's quite easy if you can work from anywhere in the world 🙂

[@jurashorts1801]

Bodybuilding recipes please!

[@weiranwang4191]

Bonjour from another student from EPFL :)

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Heyyyy that’s so awesome, Weiran 😎

[@angelikabosch8006]

Beautiful!I come for Dinner!

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

😂

[@adamstifel]

Such a nice place for new startups😅

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thanks Adam, it is really amazing 🙂

[@ShubhamSinghYoutube]

Hey Samuel, I really want to come to MIT to research AI. I have to apply in a few months, and I haven't published any papers or given the GRE. I will give GRE by next month (I am expecting 315ish). It's my dream to get into MIT, What can I do?

[@carlgee4977]

Pls a video about bulking

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Hahahahaha in short: eat a lot 😂💪 But yeah, I’ll make a proper video about this sometime soon 🙂

[@lgemm3528]

And related to your crypto Hedgefund - which approach do you take? Since Omega measures are more comprehensive than Markowitz (and it’s extension).

[@henno2800]

Recipe video for sure!

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Starting a cooking and fitness channel soon ahhahahahaha (just kidding) 🙂🙂

[@DentoxRaindrops]

Great video! May I ask what program or application you are using to write your paper? Thanks!

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thank you Dennis, I just use overleaf, as it is the easiest way to edit and share 🙂

[@DentoxRaindrops]

@@SamuelBoschMIT Thank you, Samuel!

[@themeaningoflifeexpert]

Is the air there fresher and makes you feel more refreshed compared to MIT?

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

MIT has its charm, but definitely love the fresh air and accessibility to nature here for sure :)

[@vladimirschevschenko6226]

Hey I also live in Switzerland. From which shop did you buy the steak?

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Hey Vladimir, I got it in Migros 🙂

[@matthewpotter8265]

What’s in the mix you eat for breakfast?

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Oats and soy flakes are the basis. Soy flakes because they have a lot of proteins. The rest is a mix of different nuts, seeds, and dried fruits

[@ebosereview6792]

Welche Kamera benutzt du für deine Videos?

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Die große Kamera mit Licht und Shotgun microphone ist eine Sony ZV-10. Die Weitwinkel Kamera die ich beim laufen und Fahrrad fahren benutze ist eine GoPro Hero 10 mit media mod

[@ItsMauiBruh]

How did you eat a months supply if cereal at one time

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Well, I didn’t eat the whole box hahahahaah just the bowl 😂

[@ph5465]

Bro made it in life, you got the gains and study at MIT🔥

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

😂💪💪💪

[@aynuraslan]

Which city is this?

[@engineeringmadeasy]

Hi Samuel, did you do other types of sports other than lifting weights?

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

I won the national triathlon championship in Croatia when I was younger :)

[@bmc868]

Do you belong to the Bosh family who create the company?

[@IM-vu4gj]

Hello , Im japanese this video is very good! Do you shower in the morning with cold water???

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thank you 🇯🇵🙂! I sometimes do, although I used to do it always a few years ago

[@user-wr4yl7tx3w]

which part of Switzerland is this area? Lake Geneva?

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Yes, this is Lake Geneva 🙂

[@XXX-fd6wc]

Hello, uhh, could you tell me how much time do you spend on sleeping？

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

7-8 hours usually 🙂

[@QuantBlog]

Great Video Samuel, but don't you get tired af after 1200kcal of oats?:D

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Nahhhh, I get hungry again after 3 hour 🙂

[@MM-tt2tu]

Is this possible to meet you

[@konrad6697]

Man munkelt Samuel schmeißt sein Studium hin und fängt an Sportwissenschaften zu studieren😂😂 Top Video!!!

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Hahahhahaaha oder einfach professionelle Bodybuilding Karriere 😂💪

[@lgemm3528]

Wirst du eigentlich bezahlt als Research Assistent? Welche Einkommensströme hat du? Irgendwie muss die Liquidität ja zustande kommen 😁 Hab dir auch auf IG geschrieben, falls du mal in Köln bist sag gerne Bescheid - dann führ ich dich an der Sporthochschule rum!

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Heyyy, ja ich werde bezahlt as RA am MIT. Ist aber leider nicht sehr viel Ich versuche meine Instagram Nachrichten zu beantworten, komme aber seit einigen Wochen nicht mehr hinterher. Mal sehen ob ich irgendwann nach Bonn komme. Da war ich noch nie 🙂

[@stefan-ls7yd]

@@SamuelBoschMIT und wie finanzierst du dir die Wohnung in der Schweiz?

[@t4s84]

Here is my need for validation 🙂 If you get your recipes from good sources, a grilled veggie/seafood buffet can beat any steak! So you can have your cake and eat it too

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

hahhahah good to know 🙂

[@m.n.gowthamxa3833]

Can you please make a video on how to enjoy luxury vacation ( i am from india) like that while being a international student at mit . ( Basically i mean steps about financial planning for such things) .

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Thanks for the comment! 🙂 I am not actually on a luxury vacation. Switzerland is more affordable than Cambridge, so I finance myself here in exactly the same way I finance myself in the US: through my PhD salary

[@m.n.gowthamxa3833]

@@SamuelBoschMIT well , if u see it from indian middle class boy's perspective it is actually luxury...Thanks for advice ... will checkout ur video on finance soon..🙂🙂

[@xyz-hx5dh]

Hey I am curious why are there so few people outside ?

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Because it’s a tiny village with 20 inhabitants 🙂

[@S4Kyoto]

@4:50 Frozen Nitrogen? Probably frozen CO2, or? :)

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Yeah, I misspoke 🙂 frozen nitrogen would be really cold 🥶

[@ylanhernandezmotte]

Also the cloudy fumes you see are quite toxic ☝️

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

My principles are: safety last, fun first 😂

[@26April100]

I think you rather had frozen CO2 (Trockeneis,−78.5°C ), instead of frozen nitrogen (−209.86°C). Still, nice video !

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Yeah, I also realized that (after the video was already finished) 🥶

[@manuelschlichting1592]

How can you afford to life in Switzerland while being a student?

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

It’s cheaper than spending the summer at MIT 😂

[@jrc6040]

Hey, bro are you still in EPFL

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Left Switzerland two weeks ago 😞

[@Nici01]

Von welcher Marke ist das Astronauten Essen? :)

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Huel. Aber bin mir nicht sicher ob die die besten sind. Habe mir in letzter Zeit überlegt etwas neues zu finden. Huel ist wirklich teuer geworden, und braucht wirklich viel Wasser für nicht so viele Kalorien

[@carlosbornes]

Isn't that frozen CO2?

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

It is, I accidentally said it wrong :)

[@BaliGoat]

Kannst du auch Französisch?

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Nur genug um Essen im Restaurant zu bestellen 🙂

[@matthaus5147]

👍