Erasmus+

I enjoyed my stay in the Steffen Jung Lab very much! The assistance in all organization matters before and during my stay abroad was great, e.g. with my visa, the Erasmus+ scholarship, and student housing on the campus. The application process for Erasmus+ was well organized, and both my German university and the International Office at Weizmann were very supportive and helped me with all forms. Thanks to this encouragement, I already felt in good hands before my arrival. The Weizmann Institute of Science is one of the world's leading research institutions. I was lucky to attend several guest talks from internationally renowned speakers and even participate in mini-symposia. Such events have always been a great opportunity to meet new people from the field and exchange thoughts. During my daily work in the lab, I was able to extend my scientific knowledge and gain hands-on experience. I received all the trust and support to even start my own project. I really appreciate this cooperative environment!  Altogether, my stay abroad helped me to build an international network, to grow personally, and to expand my scientific skills.

During May 2023, I had the privilege of participating in the Erasmus+ Mobility Staff program, which allowed me to visit Humboldt University in Berlin. The primary purpose of my visit was to engage with the chemistry education group at Humboldt University, where I had the opportunity to exchange knowledge, gather new ideas, and deliver a seminar and workshop. Additionally, I had the chance to get to know two biology education groups, one from Humboldt University and another at Freie University. Throughout the week, I had fruitful interactions with various researchers, including professors and graduate students, and gained valuable insights into Germany's education system. This visit also paved the way for potential future collaborations. As a post-doctoral fellow, I am grateful to the Erasmus+ Mobility Staff team at the Weizmann Institute and Humboldt University for facilitating this research visit. I eagerly look forward to participating in more Erasmus+ programs in the future.

The Erasmus+ program allowed me to not only strengthen my collaboration with my European partner but also to experience a teaching and working environment quite unlike the one in my home institution. This "change of atmosphere" is healthy from time to time and allows you to appreciate the differences in culture and mentality so that your own group dynamics at the end benefit greatly from it. A reciprocal visit in our home institution from my collaborator's group enabled "shadow working" and beautifully complemented the visit in the host university. In addition, the welcome package I received when arriving at the host university was without a doubt informative (with maps and brochures) and generous (with chocolate!). We will definitely try to repeat this next year and hopefully, every year as long as there is a signed agreement between the host and home universities.

At 50, I embarked on a transformative two-and-a-half-month journey through the Erasmus+ program at the University of Bonn as part of my master’s in science education at the Feinberg Graduate School, Weizmann Institute. With support from my professors and the ERASMUS office, the transition to Germany was seamless.
At Bonn, I was impressed by the organized structure, innovative curriculum, and exposure to advanced technologies and teaching methodologies, which enhanced my skills. Beyond academics, immersing in a different scientific culture and connecting with diverse individuals enriched my worldview and personal growth.
The Erasmus+ program was an invaluable academic and cultural experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to broaden their horizons.

I discovered the Erasmus+ program while searching for a way to initiate scientific collaboration with Prof. Patrik Schmuki at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. The program is well-organized and has minimal bureaucracy, which encourages collaborative work. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the laboratory in Erlangen, both from a scientific perspective and on a personal level. It allowed me to start smoothly a new experimental direction of research. Furthermore, the scientific exchange was very productive, and we have already published a paper based on the results obtained during my visit. I hope to continue using the program for future collaborative work.

I spent one month at Charles University in Prague, working with a highly talented group led by Dr. Jiri Zahradnik. The research took place on the BIOCEV campus in Vestec, which had all the equipment and facilities I needed. During that time, I learned new techniques and worked collaboratively to develop cutting-edge technologies for discovering protein binders de novo. Outside of research, Prague and the Czech Republic are beautiful, vibrant places with fascinating history and welcoming people. The city is endlessly explorable. I am grateful to my hosts for an experience I will never forget! I hope to participate in an Erasmus program again in the future.

Engaging in the ERASMUS+ programs has been a profoundly impactful professional experience. It has allowed me to connect with researchers from various European institutions, fostering the creation of innovative projects and collaborations. These projects have not only advanced my research but also significantly benefited the students in my research group. Through seminars organized by the ERASMUS+ programs, my students had the opportunity to meet esteemed scientists, which led to postdoctoral positions and support for conference travel.