Fulbright Student Researcher, 2017-2018

Ten months in California

After spending almost 10 months in Davis, California on a Fulbright scholarship I can confidently say that it was one of the most enriching experiences, both on an academic level and, maybe more important, on a personal level. Even though I lived abroad before, my status as a Fulbright scholar helped me adopt a better attitude in my everyday life and made it so much easier to interact with other people.

For the purpose of this statement I can divide my experience in academic and personal endeavours. Firstly, the laboratory of Distinguished Professor Earl Carstens, where I conducted my neurobiology studies, was very welcoming, well founded and strongly connected with laboratories from the United States, Europe and Asia. Secondly, the amount of resources and know-how that I had access to widened my perspective as a young researcher. I also got the chance to visit other stat of the art laboratories and I was trained in new techniques that I am implementing now in my laboratory from Bucharest.

On a personal level I had the pleasure of visiting significant landmarks in California; I discussed my studies at a famous conference in Washington and did scuba diving in Hawaii. I got the chance to attend lectures at renowned universities and present my research at the most prestigious meetings in the field of Neuroscience. I met a lot of interesting fellow fulbrighters, researchers, professors and made connections in both academia and industry.

Even though I was a foreigner I never felt left behind. On the contrary, the community was eager to learn about me and my country. I found it interesting to accommodate in a place like California where almost everyone was relaxed, optimistic and enthusiastic.

Even if sometimes I felt homesick or lonely, I remembered that a new experience is better than no experience and that by dealing with unexpected circumstances I will get to know myself better. All in all I consider myself lucky and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to live in California, conduct research in one of the most prestigious universities and meet interesting people from all around the world.