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.
“I’m amazed by the potential, dedication, and diversity of our new doctoral
Chiara Poli settling in: Embracing Lisbon’s energy and chaos
“As this is my first experience abroad on my own, I feel a little homesick. Fortunately, Portugal is the perfect country to cheer you up and it is very welcoming.
Lisbon is a wonderful, lively city. In some ways it can seem chaotic, but in the end, everything fits together perfectly. I can’t wait to explore every little street!
The next step will be to learn Portuguese. Wish me luck!”
Maria Nabatova exploring Barcelona: A lifestyle that’s easy to fall in love with
“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.”
Maria Orfanidou in Aachen: A magical mix of culture, tradition and nature
“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.”
Chiara Demingo in Gliwice: Adjusting to new temperatures — and a warm welcome
“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.”
Paola Augustin’s first days in Braunschweig: New experiences in a cozy, nature-filled city
“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…
