Belgium, BSc Bioanalytics and Cell Biology, FHNW School of Life Sciences

What motivated you to go abroad?
My motivation was to experience what it is like to study and live in a country other than Switzerland or Germany. I wanted to gain more life experience, see how well I can adapt to a new environment, and learn more about different cultures and people. I also wanted to practise my English and challenge myself by living in a completely new setting.

Why did you choose your host institution/country?
Belgium was not my first choice; I initially wanted to go to the Netherlands, but I didn’t get the internship I had hoped for. I discussed my thesis plans with my professor, and she mentioned that she knows someone in Belgium. We contacted him by email, and he agreed that I could come.

Another factor in my decision was that Belgium is part of the EU, which made it easy for me to live there as an EU citizen. It is also not too far from home, so my family and friends could visit me. Additionally, Brussels is a beautiful and charming city.

What does a typical day at the host institution look like?
I normally arrived at the office around 9 a.m. and checked which experiments were scheduled, as well as which lab equipment was reserved for me. I usually carried out my experiments in the morning, and in the afternoon, I analysed my data, maintained my cell cultures, planned for the following days, and worked on my thesis. I typically finished around 4 p.m.

Tell us about your research and your research findings during your residency.
I tested industrial chemicals if they induce cholestasis. For this I used an in vitro test battery consisting of multiple assays based on a 2D liver cell culture system. I identified 1 out of 3 chemicals as cholestatic.

What surprised you the most about your stay abroad?
I completely underestimated how beautiful Brussels is. The architecture is amazing, and there are plenty of green spaces throughout the city. There is always something new to explore, and every day feels like there is some kind of event happening!

What tip would you like to give to future exchange students?
It can be difficult to make new friends if you only work in the lab and are one of the few students there. I strongly recommend attending local Erasmus student events, as many exchange students are in the same situation. However, getting in touch with the local students can be very challenging!

Is there anything else you would like to share?
After New Year, it snowed in Brussels, which seemed to be a very rare event for the Belgian people. My roommates and I decided to go to the local park with cardboard in plastic bags and went sledding down the hill. Afterward, we all enjoyed some mulled wine to warm up.