Forscher*innen 2020
Ariane Sasso
Age: 33 | Nationality: Brazilian | Field of study / work: Digital Health and Personalized Medicine - Hasso Plattner Institute
An international researcher gives an insight into her experience in Germany during the pandemic
Denish Otiene Odanga
Age: 30 | Nationality: Kenyan | Field of study / work: Literature and Cultures
My favorite place in Potsdam/ Berlin / surroundings:
l love being in Park Sanssouci and the historical structures in Platz der Einheit. l am yet to explore Berlin. lt is the next stop.
My advice for fellow scholars:
Settle down as soon as you can and get going with your project. You have to achieve your goal and time consciousness is key. But your main goal should not make you fail to explore this new place. You have beautiful things around you, explore! Also, purpose to learn German language. Doing so will not only make your life easy but also help you understand and appreciate the German culture.
My future plans:
I plan to continue researching in my area of interest (literatures and cultures of the minority in the cosmopolites) and to help fizzle out the phobia that characterizes our interactions.
„The beautiful transport system! You can plan with it and meet all your appointments without a struggle. And the biking culture. Back at home bicycles are getting replaced with motorcycles and I realized how that is a bad idea. l have seen senior citizens ride bikes and I think this helps in physical fitness. Oh, and Germans hardly open up!“
My favorite place in Potsdam/ Berlin/ surroundings:
Kuhhorn an der Havel. Like so much the rivers and lakes around Potsdam and Berlin
The most surprising thing about Germany?
The very polite manner between students and teacher. As a Dane I do like it a lot. Its relaxing and a professional attitude and relationship. Well of course you also can miss the informal relation as we have it in Denmark.
My future plans:
To follow up in Denmark on theories of identity based on with nationality and religion. To give lectures about Dr. Dirk Schuster’s studies on the connection between Christianity and antisemitism, and to do more research local in Denmark about religious communities like in Professor Hans Hafner’s work. “Glauben in Potsdam.”
My advice for fellow scholars:
Try to visit the university before you apply for your scholarship. Get some contacts before your stay. Its much easier in the short time of 6 month to get a good result out of your stay.
Hans Krab Koed
Age: 70 years | Nationality: Danish | Field of study / work: Institut für Jüdische Studien und Religionswissenschaft
Where were you during the first months of the pandemic?
In Denmark. Borders were closed and it was not legal for my husband to go to Berlin, as he afterwards would be quarantined at his work in Denmark. And there would be no insurance. Well all my lectures had to be virtual ZOOM online, which meant it does not matter where you were.
Was there also a positive outcome for you during these months?
Yes I got much more experience in using Zoom and I did learn how to get more close and deeper into the texts we did study, as I did share the text on Zoom right while I was giving those lectures.
Is there anything you are appreciating more now?
Yes, being close to students and colleagues in real life. It is like no propose in studying how to live together and understand identities if you are just absent and keep distance.
Do you have any idea or suggestion for our community/what we could do in this time?
Well next time we have to find out how to help the weakest students. We loose then more or less right way.
Maybe it could be possible to differentiate so those seminars with few students could be in real life at university and we still could keep up all Corona conditions.
„I just gave my lectures virtual by Zoom. I did already do a lot of digital teaching in Denmark, but of course it was disappointing not being able to be on spot in Potsdam, not being able to socialize and exchange thoughts and ideas with colleagues. Sad not to mee the students in real life. It was my luck, that I already had been as an Erasmus dozent twice and therefore had so good contact to some of the professors. They did help me a lot with practical matters. Especially dr. Dirk Schuster was a great help.“
Fadi Alhomoch
Age: 45 years | Nationality: Syrian | Field of study / work: Food science-Milk quality (PhD candidate)
The most surprising thing about Germany?
The variety in bakery sparks a lot of my curiosity. Excellent traffic system. The equal opportunities system for children in education. Germans keep distance and don’t make a friend quickly, but when you have a friendship with German, it is precious.
My advice for future scholars:
Being very surrounding and prepared with the aspect of your research, through soft-relevant skills of your field. Very crucial thing which will make a big difference in your life is learning the German language.
My future plans:
I would like to continue in the field of research to be a dairy technologist. Also becoming involved in organizations that support small scale sector farmers and livestock keepers in Syria.
„The historical identity of the place means a lot to me. It is not possible to limit the huge number of places that can be visited especially for nature lovers and meditation. For me, I love standing on The Glienicke Bridge across the Havel lake, which was the checkpoint between two countries that later united. Also, visiting the Cecilienhof Palace in the New Garden in which the Potsdam agreement in 1945 was signed was very emotional.“
Timothy O. Tella
Age: 31 | Nationality: Nigerian | Field of study / work: Sedimentology / Stratigraphic Forward Modelling (PhD Candidate)
My favorite place in Potsdam/ Berlin / surroundings:
I love the serenity and aesthetics of the Park Sansouci and I love to walk along the Freundschaftsinsel near the Hauptbahnof.
My advice for fellow scholars:
The availability of most of the facilities required for research also puts a time-constraint on how much can be done. I think the most important factor in the discharge of your research is time. Spend your time smartly on your research but also plan to enjoy Germany. Make friends, make memories, and make impact.
My future plans:
I plan to work in the georesources industry bringing in my training as a geoscientist and as a researcher. While doing that, I hope to find a way to impact my locality practically through the establishment of a quality community school for orphans and destitutes. Maybe (just maybe) I may get into politics one day too, but it is not on top of the list.
„The tuition-free universities and the freedom of scientific researchers really amaze me. Although I am awed by the warmness of most Germans, I am surprised that it really takes time to make friends with one.“
Tuğçe Aral
Age: 26 years | Nationality: Turkish | Field of study / work: Inclusive Education – Diversity in Education and Development
My favorite place in Potsdam/ Berlin / surroundings:
In Potsdam: Park Sanssouci
In Berlin: Tempelhof Feld and multicultural neighborhoods (Kreuzberg, Neukölln, Rixdorf), Maybachufer Fleamarket.
My advice for fellow scholars:
The time flies by, and there is so much to get done in a limited time. Choose your advisors wisely; a healthy relationship with your advisors is one of the essential parts of a Ph.D. Try setting short-term and long-term goals and keep checking them whether you are on the right track. Also, take care of your physical and mental health; they matter the most!
I would also suggest fellow scholars learn German, especially the ones who are doing their Ph.D. in social science departments. Because learning German will help you to better understand the social structures in German society and be a more active member of your scientific community.
„I hope to continue to do research and improve our understanding of intergroup relations between privileged and underprivilege groups. I would also like to create opportunities to empower women/children of color in Germany.“
Hind Emad
Age: 34 | Nationality: Sudanese | Field of study / work: Molecular Biotechnology (Visiting scientist)
My favorite place in Potsdam/ Berlin / surroundings:
I am impressed with potsdam gardens and palaces. The historic architecture and abundance of greenery are very pleasant.
My advice for fellow scholars:
Germany is a great place for research. Become part of a large international research community and benefit from the excellent infrastructure, a wide variety of disciplines and well-equipped research facilities. Be patient to achieve your goals and keep going.
My future plans:
I will keep on working as an assistant professor, delivering lectures and conducting research to understand how plants respond to environmental stresses and finding a way to develop stress tolerant crops. I believe, there is always more to learn, discover and opportunities to be of service to one’s community, country and the world.
„As a resident of Potsdam, I am amazed by the historical and cultural monuments, each one tells a story about Germany.“
Noon Bushra Eltahir
Age: 33 | Nationality: Sudanese | Field of study / work: Animal Behavior and Molecular Biology (PhD candidate)
My favorite place in Potsdam/ Berlin / surroundings:
Germany has many beautiful places to visit. I was amazed by the beautiful landscapes and the architectures of the historical places especially in Potsdam.
In Berlin: The Museum of Natural History, Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall and Zoo are the most attractive places I have ever visited.
The most surprising thing about Germany?
The uniqueness of the community and culture here. People are kind and always ready to help. In Germany, you can find people from different nationalities. This diversity gives people the chance to get exposed to different cultures and traditions. Especially during the pandemic of coronavirus, I realise that the society deals with it in a serious manner. People are well organized, united and committed to rules.
My advice for fellow scholars:
Laboratories, instruments and up to date references are within your hands. Hence you are here for a limited period of time; you can get the most out of all these facilities available for you. Moreover, you have to be patient with all the circumstances you might face and try to learn German language.
„I will keep working on research and teaching in the university. Therefore, I will improve myself in modern and top scientific methods at the molecular biology and animal behavior. In addition it will promote the very interesting evolutionary and conservation research. Moreover, I am looking to publish my research and transfer this knowledge to my students and colleagues who are engaged in the same field of study in my country. I will keep conducting scientific research as I am convinced that; a scientist’s journey has no end.“
Francesco Belli
Age: 33 years | Nationality: Italian | Field of study / work: Cognitive Neurosciences
My favorite place in Potsdam/ Berlin / surroundings:
Babelsberg and Dutch Quarter in Potsdam, Spreepark and Kreuzberg in Berlin.
The most surprising thing about Germany?
The surrounding sense of movement, construction and constant changing, that you can literally breath in.
My future plans:
I would like to keep on working in research and university, hopefully take up a fruitful academic career.
„Be patient with bureaucracy and red tape stuffs, everything will be fine.“
Nada Abdel-Hak
Age: 30 years | Nationality: Egypt | Field of study / work: Geosciences (PhD candidate)
My favorite place in Potsdam/ Berlin / surroundings:
I like the natural landscapes in Potsdam. Walking by the water bodies and seeing the architecture of the trimmed trees is my favorite activity.
The most surprising thing about Germany?
Germany is highly international and diverse; I have met people from almost all the countries of the world, from different cultures and backgrounds. This diversity gives people the chance to experience different cultures, to see one's own culture through the eyes of other cultures which is always surprising and amazing, moreover, to question many of the stereotypes one have in mind through meeting actual people.
My future plans:
I have been working in teaching and research at the university for the last 9 years. And my future plan is to continue my journey in science.
„I know that we are all busy with our research projects, however, I would like to suggest that you invest some time on learning the German language. Learning German will get you to know more about the German culture which is worth exploring, you will get to understand the German humour which does exist and you will get yourself engaged in very interesting conversations.“