Connected Through Science and Beyond - a blog post by ESR4 Özge Ergun

In April 2022, 9 young scientists met in Vienna. They all had recently moved to a new country and were trying to establish a new life there, clueless about what was waiting for them in this new, exciting journey they embarked on. From different countries and different backgrounds, but they all had one thing in common: Their passion for science, which united them, over and over again, in different countries throughout the following years.

New faces joined them in Barcelona. As they learned more about each other’s projects in detail, they also discovered more about different cultures, languages, and perspectives. Then they welcomed new members in Strasbourg, and the missing piece of the puzzle was found.

In the ALLODD events, during their secondments in each other’s labs, and via social media, they got to know each other better. They were going through the same problems after all: Not getting the anticipated results in their research, dealing with bureaucracy, and feeling lonely sometimes. They supported each other and occasionally had venting sessions to let it all out.

They advanced in their research projects, grew as people and grew older inevitably. Some entered a new phase of life, some said farewell to their 20s, some got married, and some are getting prepared to welcome parenthood. They are not the same people as they were in 2022. Later on, some couldn’t make it to some ALLODD events, but never drifted apart, because they were still connected in so many ways, they cared about each other.

When they met for the last time in Berlin, they promised to keep in touch and not to be strangers.

…

Having been a part of such a project was such a blast
I remember the beginning so clearly but then it went too fast
I met brilliant scientist but more importantly great friends
Hope that we stay in touch even when this whole thing ends
No matter where we end up and if we go where the wind blows
Many thanks for being there for me through highs and lows
Standing right beside me on my happiest day,
Or supporting me wholeheartedly from afar in a virtual way,
I am grateful for all the amazing conversations we held,
For the exciting adventures and fond memories we had,
In the near future, let’s take a plane or catch a train
And meet sometime somewhere in the world again