Q: What is the purpose of your visit?
A: I am a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Catanzaro, Italy, and I am staying in Braunschweig for a research exchange period required from my doctoral program. I've chosen TU because it has got some similar projects and facilities as my home institution.
Q: What do you think about the infrastructure at TU for your research?
A: I am glad to see that TU has got everything that I might need for my work: it is rich of hardware and space for work and recreation.
Q: What are the similarities and differences in academic life/life as a PhD student between your home institution and TU?
A: The academic life has its similarities. Researchers share common challenges and ways to address them. Anyway, it seems that in Germany a greater weight is given for the personal wellbeing compared to Italy.
Q: Are TU and the city of Braunschweig good hosts or id you experience any difficulties in settling in?
A: Absolutely not. In the city, people are kind and willing to help you even if they do not speak English. Same thing at the TU, with the difference that English is much more spoken! In some cases I need to use German in the daily life. But it's not gamechanging if you're not planning to stay for a long time here; otherwise, you need to learn the languange. I think it's normal.
Q: Do you experience any dos and don’ts?
A: Nothing much different compared to Italy at the moment.
Q: What do you recommend to do socially/in your spare time in Braunschweig and its neighborhood?
A: There are parks, a lot of bikes to rent, cinemas, bars, a big mall and so on. It really depends on one's nature, but Braunschweig offers many things to do!
Q: Now I get a little bit philosophical: The motto of our university is “Nec aspera terrent” which means “Nor do hardships frighten them”. What does this motto mean to you?
A: Interesting motto. In academia you have to embrace it all, I think. Beside many positive aspects, PhD is also plenty of surprises, failures, long projects and lot of studying; and only if you embrace the "aspera" and understand that it's part of the game, the path becomes clear. The motto of my home institution, instead, is "Dubium sapientiae initium" which means "The doubt is the beginning of the knowledge", which I like a lot as well!