First “Let’s Get to Know Each Other” Seminar Focusing on International Experiences

2025. nov. 10. | News

Motto: “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”

As part of the BRC Young Researchers’ Seminar series, the “Let’s Get to Know Each Other” seminars aim to strengthen our community and foster in-house collaborations among young scientists. The talks do not primarily focus on presenting scientific results and successes, but rather on failures, challenges, and the stories behind achievements. The goal is to recognize that we all face similar problems – balancing work and personal life, meeting our own and others’ expectations, and recovering from difficult experiences.

On November 6, the main topic was international experiences. In her deeply personal talk titled “I Came and I Stayed”, Ana Martins from the Institute of Biophysics discussed the positive and negative aspects of moving to and living in Hungary as a foreigner. Originally from Portugal, Ana earned her PhD in Lisbon and moved to Hungary as a postdoctoral fellow. Falling in love “with and in” Szeged, she decided to settle in Hungary, though she encountered several difficulties related to language, bureaucracy, and cultural differences. Although she still feels somewhat of an outsider, she admits that life is gradually becoming easier for non-native residents in Hungary.

The second presentation titled “A Roller-Coaster Journey of the Postdoctoral Life Abroad and After Return” was given by Milán Szabó from the Institute of Plant Biology. Milán spent several years in Australia as a postdoc and experienced numerous pros and cons of living and conducting research far from home. Becoming involved in an ever-increasing number of projects and taking on more responsibility with little hope of a permanent position proved challenging. However, promising opportunities for early career research grants facilitated his return to Hungary. Eventually, the network he built, the soft skills he developed, and the scientific and personal experiences he gained abroad compensated for the struggles and made the “roller-coaster journey” a valuable career adventure.

During the Q&A sessions, several important aspects of the topic were discussed, including the significance of mentorship, good fortune, and being open and flexible. In conclusion, Imola Wilhelm, the organizer of the event, emphasized the importance of understanding and accepting different perspectives in both science and personal life.