The first week of travel is always filled with copious emotions. The combination of excitement, nerves, and adventurous spirit cultivates a unique feeling as you immerse yourself in any new culture. I’ve been graced with many fantastic opportunities in my lifetime, but I must say, this PIRE experience is one of the greatest. I am beyond thankful to be here, and I refuse to take any of it for granted!

Prior to my arrival, I took some time to familiarize myself with my housing situation and location. I also worked hard to shake the jet lag as soon as possible, while also unpacking my belongings in an organized fashion.

On the third day of being here, I met my research advisor. Not only is she incredibly organized and intelligent, but she has a wonderful personality. She explained many important aspects of working at Radboud (we are technically considered staff), and assisted us with any administrative tasks we had to accomplish. She also outlined the process for obtaining a bus pass, so the 50 minute walk to campus wasn’t our only option.

On the fifth day, we started to work in our offices. This included working through some of the final obstacles on our previous study, while also examining new research paths and papers. In addition to this, I was able to witness a PhD defense, where I watched a student earn her PhD after explaining her thesis. The time I’ve spent on Radboud’s campus was an incredibly educational, exciting, and rewarding experience.

Overall, this first week has truly provided me with a sense of appreciation for many things. Not only am I thankful for PIRE for providing me with this outstanding opportunity, but I am thankful that there are places such as this in the world to explore. I look forward to the remainder of my PIRE experience, and cannot wait to see what comes next.