New beginnings across Europe:
First impressions from our COMENZE doctoral candidates

International mobility is a core element of the MSCA programme, and living and working in a new country is an important part of that experience.

Our COMENZE Doctoral Candidates are now settling into their host cities across Europe — discovering new cultures, adapting to new environments, and starting to build their daily lives abroad.
We’ve gathered their first personal impressions to capture the beginning of this exciting chapter.

“My first month as a PhD student has been a genuinely positive experience. I’m grateful for a wonderful research group, everyone has been incredibly welcoming and supportive.

Groningen is a very nice city, it is lively, has a great size, and is beautifully intertwined with water like many Dutch cities. Even the rainy weather hasn’t stopped me from enjoying biking everywhere (rain pants are truly life-saving!).

While Dutch food culture takes some getting used to, the variety of excellent international cuisines here definitely makes up for it. I also had the chance to visit Amsterdam, where the pictures were taken.”

“The first months passed incredibly fast. I’ve collected so many moments and experiences in Groningen already.

It’s my first time living in a city with this level of fog, you often feel like you’re inside a horror movie or a video game. T

hrough the cold winter days, the Christmas market brought light and so much joy. People told me it’s not something you usually see in the Netherlands, so am happy that Groningen took the initiative. I ended up spending a lot of time there, just enjoying the atmosphere.

During this period, I also shared a lot of meaningful time with the lab. We visited a natural history museum, and surrounded by dinosaurs, I felt like a kid again. I’m truly grateful for the people this city is bringing into my life, and Groningen is slowly starting to feel like home.”

“As expected, my first months in Pavia have been filled with many new things to learn and adapt to but with the help of a great group of colleagues, lots of pizza and beautiful surroundings it has been a pleasure.

The city is small but stunning and vibrant and comes with beautiful riverside views. Being close to so many exciting places in Italy, I’ve already managed to do a bit of exploring—visiting both Genoa and Milan—and I’m hoping the future brings plenty more travel.

Overall, my first impressions have been great and I’m looking forward to the rest!”

“One of the biggest contrasts I have experienced is the climate. Moving from Spain’s warm and sunny days to Germany’s colder, more overcast seasons required a mindset shift.

Socially, I have noticed cultural differences too, while Spain embraces spontaneity and open interaction, Germany values structure and punctuality.

These changes have taught me resilience and adaptability, enriching both personal and professional growth.”

“My first months in Girona have been very calm and inspiring. The city is cozy, full of history, and surrounded by beautiful walks and views. It’s a place where it’s easy to slow down and enjoy everyday life.“

“My first months in Gliwice have been going surprisingly well, even for someone coming from Rome and trying to adapt to Silesian temperatures! Luckily, the warmth of my research group has balanced things out.
Our trip near Kraków to enjoy the autumn foliage was a perfect snapshot of this new chapter. And yes, hot chocolate under the snow is officially my new favorite habit here.”

“It’s hard to believe I’ve been in Aachen for three months already!
The city has such a unique mix of history as the capital of the Carolingian Empire and greenery – nature is all around, with trees scattered throughout the city.

The smell of Printen (Aachen’s gingerbread biscuits) is always in the air, and with the Christmas market in full swing, the city feels extra magical right now. One thing I love is the international vibe here, especially with the university at the heart of the city . There’s a great mix of cultures, making it feel like a small, vibrant world.”

“My first months in Barcelona have been full of sunshine, colors and beautiful discoveries. Exploring Park Güell, Montjuïc, Gràcia and other hidden corners with colleagues and friends has helped me feel at home very quickly.

One of my absolute favourite spots so far is the open pool in the Montjuïc area, it offers an incredible panoramic view over the whole city (you can even see now that Basílica de la Sagrada Família is almost finished!!).

I’m amazed by how much people here value good weather, good food and good company — it’s a lifestyle that’s very easy to fall in love with. And every weekend there’s something happening: people dancing in the streets, incredible human towers called castells, and even the famous correfoc, where people walk through the city with fireworks — something I had never seen before! Overall, it’s been beautiful to see how people here truly enjoy life.”

“On one of my very first days I saw snow in Braunschweig, which is new for me since I have never seen snow in my life. I was amazed by that.
I find the living-style in Braunschweig very cozy and calm, with lots of nature spots and traditional locations. I am truly enjoying my new life in Germany!”

We wish all our Doctoral Candidates the very best as they continue settling into their new lives across Europe, and we thank them for sharing these first impressions.

More stories will follow soon…