Looking back on my summer in Göttingen, I learned so much about the world, research, and myself. I will carry these lessons with me throughout my career as a research scientist and as I move through the world as a person. I learned that the principles of research and the best practices in one lab…
Doing Research at the Max Planck Institute
Working at the Max Planck Institute was an incredible experience that not only made me a better researcher but shaped the way that I will approach research for the rest of my career. I worked in the department of Neurogenetics studying ketone body metabolism in the brain. Energy metabolism is one of the fundamental characteristics…
Building Community Abroad
One of the most impactful parts of my experience abroad was building connections with the community in which I was living. This is something that I found took a lot of time, effort and patience, but was well worth it. By constantly pushing myself outside of my comfort zone, I was able to find wonderful…
Learning German…
Given that when I arrived in Germany, I had zero experience with the German language, this posed a pretty significant barrier and the necessitated a rather steep learning curve! I am really glad that it did though, because I really came to love the German language and I hope to continue my study of it….
Getting Settled in Göttingen!
My name is Alec, I am a senior studying Neuroscience with a minor in Italian. I spent this past summer doing research at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences in Göttingen Germany, where I studied ketone body metabolism in the brain. Göttingen is known for its university and is a relatively small city. When…
From Strangers to Friends
It’s been a couple weeks since my last blog and time seems to never slow down! I am now in the middle of the semester, with deadlines and presentations coming up fast. Amidst the chaos of classes, readings, and deadlines, I’ve been incredibly grateful for how naturally friendships have formed: both in my flat and…
Sloane’s In Limerick!
Hi everyone! My name is Sloane, and I am an Environmental Engineering student doing a study abroad experience this semester in Ireland. I personally chose this program because of its connections to Pitt’s engineering program. This semester I want to take it easy and really be able to enjoy the culture and the experience. During…
Fayette County Site Visit 1
Last weekend, I joined my cohort on a site visit to Fayette County, PA as part of our project with the Appalachian Collegiate Research Imitative (ACRI) and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). As Fayette County is the key focus of our research, this visit provided us with insights into the state of the community, economic…
Finding Growth in the Unexpected
Looking back on my time in Costa Rica, I can honestly say that the experience was different from what I expected, but in ways that helped me grow. I went into the program excited to learn Spanish and experience another culture, and while those were both important parts of my time abroad, I also had…
Learning to Find Home Away from Home
Going into my experience in Costa Rica, I expected the language barrier to be difficult, but I don’t think I understood just how much it would affect my everyday life. I had studied abroad before, so I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. However, this experience was entirely different from…