Where have you lived in the past and why did you decide to come to Germany?
I was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, and lived there until I began my PhD fellowship in Ulm, Germany. Before this, my experiences outside Istanbul were limited to short-term trips, both domestically and internationally. I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at universities in Istanbul. Studying abroad wasn't a major consideration for me until my master’s, primarily due to financial constraints. I thought I frequently engaged with the global academic community by reading research papers and watching interviews, conference videos, or online courses. I felt relatively connected to the broader academic world.
However, during the first year of my master’s in Cognitive Sciences, the pandemic shifted the landscape. Courses moved online; the online dissemination of knowledge across borders became the norm. International conferences, seminars, and guest lectures from prestigious universities were suddenly accessible. This experience revealed the immense value of being able to engage directly with academics worldwide, beyond just reading their work or watching recorded talks. I realized how crucial it was to be physically present in academic spaces and interact with scholars in real-time, which sparked my decision to seek opportunities abroad.
While I was working on my master’s thesis, I began exploring options for pursuing a funded PhD abroad. My focus wasn’t on a specific country but rather on finding projects that genuinely excited me. Around the same time, my thesis supervisor, Assist. Prof. Dr. Funda Yıldırım, shared the EYES4ICU project that she believed would be a perfect fit for me. After exploring the work packages, I saw that the individual projects by Prof. Dr. Anke Huckauf aligned closely with my research interests, skills, and long-term career plan. Additionally, as the project was funded by the EU, it offered a sense of financial security and access to valuable academic resources. Even though I had never heard of the city of Ulm before, the combination of the project’s promise and the supportive environment made me eager to take this opportunity and move there.
What role has traveling played in your life since you became a doctoral student? What are your reasons for traveling?
Traveling has become a frequent part of my life since I became a Doctoral Candidate. I attend conferences in and out of Germany and go to collaborating institutions in other European countries for my secondments. I visit Istanbul to see my loved ones and other countries as a tourist.
How much time have you spent outside Germany and Ulm University since you started, compared to other places?
It has been 21 months since I started with my PhD in Germany. I can say that I have spent 3,5 months in total in conferences and my secondment so far. I must have spent another 3 months on my travels for holidays and vacation.
What are the challenges, but also the positive aspects, that you face in terms of your research, but also personally, when you are away from your lab?
It brings both challenges and positive impacts. When I’m away from the lab, my main concerns include being distanced from my experiments and equipment, losing time, and having less control over data collection. Additionally, I need to avoid disrupting the schedules and work of those I collaborate with. For example, I need to effectively manage the schedules of my thesis students, ensure the availability of lab rooms and equipment, and meet the expectations of academic collaborators. Although these efforts can be stressful at first, I feel that I have made good progress so far. It made me work on improving my organization, planning, time management, forward-thinking, and problem-solving skills. It’s a rewarding challenge that helps me cultivate foresight and self-discipline.
When traveling frequently, I sometimes feel a bit distanced from my personal life and relationships. To manage this, I try to add a touch of tourism to my trips whenever possible. Occasionally, I take a few extra days after a conference to explore the city. Fortunately, my partner joined me for one of the conferences, and during a two-month secondment in Copenhagen, we met up in Belgrade for a weekend getaway. To me, these have been very helpful in balancing professional and social life.
Of course, travel also has its own positive effects. One of these is the opportunity to interact with people, whether they are peers or the general public. Seeing what other researchers are working on, staying up-to-date with trends in the field, and engaging in inspiring discussions give me fresh perspectives. Conversations with people with no background in my field also bring a sense of real-world relevance to my work. And, like anyone else, taking a break to see a new city, or a giant tree, or immerse myself in a different culture helps me relax and brings renewed motivation for life.
What is the most important thing to get your research done nevertheless?
To get my research done effectively, I rely on a combination of meticulous planning and maintaining a detailed calendar or diary. Before traveling, I plan extensively to anticipate as much as possible. If a data collection or collaboration process is underway, I organize everything necessary to ensure the work continues smoothly in my absence. If needed, I set specific dates to be available online. During travels, I focus on tasks that can be completed remotely, such as data analysis, theoretical work, manuscript writing, and literature review for upcoming studies. I always keep my diary with me to record new ideas or reminders and easily follow my thought process later, and to stay organized.
What are the next trips you are planning?
My next trip will be to Istanbul for the New Year’s. Then, I will travel to Frankfurt in March for TeaP 2025 conference.