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…
Tag: Summer 2026
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…
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…
Learning to Communicate in Costa Rica
One of my first “aha” moments in Costa Rica was realizing just how intense the language barrier would be. I had a very basic understanding of Spanish, and my host parents did not speak any English. I knew going into the program that communication would be a challenge, but I don’t think I fully understood…
Who Am I Before Costa Rica?
Hi! My name is Alyssa Kocon, and I am currently a senior at the University of Pittsburgh pursuing a degree in communication as well as a certificate in human rights and social justice. This is my fourth semester at Pitt, spending two of those semesters at Pitt Greensburg, and previously transferring from Community College of…
Hong KonGone to Soon
My experience living in Hong Kong for the past two months has officially come to an end, and saying it was an incredible experience would be an understatement. This was my first time in Asia, and I arrived not knowing exactly what to expect. Now, I am leaving with memories of a lifetime and a…