EURAXESS - Researchers in Motion is a unique pan-European initiative delivering information and support services to professional researchers. Backed by the European Union and its Member States, it supports researcher mobility and career development, while enhancing scientific collaboration between Europe and the world.
Since 2017 SUPSI is part of the EURAXESS network.
More information at www.euraxess.ch and our dedicated page

Here below below is Alexander's testimony

At the end of my Master of Science at SUPSI, I applied to several PhD positions in Europe, using the Euraxess platform, with the aim to pursue an academic career.
I passed through a (not so short) process of interviews, email exchanges with prospects supervisors, and administrative issues.
It is not easy to decide which Phd position to apply to (if you pass the selection process) since you have to think about your supervisor, connections, the country, the salary, etc, among others. At the end, I decided to take a position in the Information and communication technologies department at the university Pompeu Fabra (UPF) in Barcelona (Spain).

After arriving in Barcelona, I was immediately hit by the kindness of Spanish people, which make me feel welcome in the city (and the country) from the first moment. On my first city stroll, I felt surrounded by an universe of ideas, opportunities and thoughts, a sensation which can be found in any big city.

Barcelona is a hot touristic place, where you can find tourists in the streets even in winter!. There is a lot to see here, beginning with the famous “la Barceloneta” to the amazing cathedral “La sagrada Familia”. Apart from the touristic places, there is always something happening in Barcelona: an event, a concert or an interview in some book shop; you cannot get bored there!

At the university I met people from a big variety of countries: China, Pakistan, India, Chile, USA, UK, etc. This big hub of nationalities have gave me a lot of new friends and experiences. The constant contact with such variety of cultures will inevitably increase the size of your universe.

I have just started my PhD, hence I know there is a long path to pursue till the end. Nevertheless, I feel pretty confidence that this international experience can help me to grow up, not just in academic knowledge, but also as a person.