Study at UOS

It was such a wonderful experience being part of University of Sharjah family. I have enjoyed every moment there, met a lot of nice people andenjoyed its facilities. Not to forget its unique building and design thattakes you to a completely different era.
It was only one semester that I spent in UoS, but I have learned andexperienced many things in such a short period of time. I am very thankful for my passionate professors and I truly appreciatetheir time and effort.
I encourage all of my friends to travel and live the experience of anexchange student because it is very different than visiting a place as atourist. For me the UAE became my second home and the experienceitself brought the best out of me.

I'm a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Sharjah in the Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences.
I was part of the University of Sharjah; UNIVERSITY OF LÜBECK international program for my PhD, getting a dual PhD degree from both universities.

My Experience at the University of Lubeck:
This international program allowed us to grow in both scientific and personal aspects. Scientifically we've learned different techniques, and form a variety of expertise and engaged in many scientific discussions with professionals in the field. By that, we advanced our knowledge and experience through being exposed to new areas of research in two different universities. Personally, we were able to grow and learn through many new experiences that we were exposed to.

CHALLENGES WHEN DOING THE PROGRAM, AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM:
A challenge can start from the very beginning. For me, it was finding a project for my PhD that can be applied to both universities. So I had to find a project that would be of interest to 2 supervisors in both institutes and arrange the work between them in order to maximise the benefit in the other university in a short period of time. The key is to arrange and communicate everything in advance so there's time to adjust and to benefit effectively the most. It can also be difficult adjusting to a new area and customs, but it's a good experience to learn to communicate with different people and hear form their experiences and network.

I'm a post-doctoral research associate at the Research and Health Institute of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Sharjah. I was part of the first batch of graduates for the molecular medicine and translational research program. In 2018, I had the opportunity to travel to the UNIVERSITY OF LÜBECK in GERMANY as part of the University of Lübeck; University of Sharjah international program.
I was part of the University of Sharjah; University of Lubeck international program for my PhD, getting a dual PhD degree from both universities.

My Experience at the University of Lubeck:
At the University of Lübeck, I had the opportunity to work with Professors Christian Sina and Saleh Ibrahim in their respective labs at the Institute of Nutritional Medicine. This experience was a game changer for me in my PhD program because it not only gave me an opportunity for technology transfer but also exposure to the various different labs that were available at the Institute of Medicine & the University of Lübeck. At the same time, it was a great opportunity for networking, and it immensely helped with my professional development.

My advice to students:
My one piece of advice to students who would be looking forward to an international program opportunity whould be to keep an open mind because you're goint to a completely new atmosphere where you have a lot of new experiences coming your way, so the more open would get better, past what you could have expeted!
It would also be a very intellectual stimulating atmosphere, so on the one hand you're there for learning; but also make sure to have some fun and enjoy the area as well!

Firstly, I am grateful to be chosen for this program and I would l ike to extend my deepest gratitude to my supervisors and the program committee for giving me this coveted opportunity. My experience as a student at the University of Lübeck - Centre of Brain, Behaviour, and Metabolism was incredibly enriching. Being the only student from the program conducting brain- related research, I had the opportunity to learn from world- renowned experts in the field, as well as engage with students from diverse backgrounds and cultures. The program allowed me to gain a unique perspective on neuroscience research and learn about cutting- edge techniques and methods in the f ield. It gave me a chance to explore the current global scenarios of cellular and molecular neuroscience and establish partnerships that would be helpful not just to me as an individual Ph. D. candidate, but also to the Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences at University of Sharjah to make i t an interdisciplinary hub for neuroscience research in the future.

What are the lessons you learned from your experience?
One of the biggest lessons I learned from my experience was the importance of stepping outside of my comfort zone. The program challenged me to adapt to a new environment and culture, which helped me grow both personally and academically. Additionally, I learned the value of collaboration and communication in research, as I had the chance to work with and learn from other students and faculty members, some of whom are pioneers in my area of interest.

What are the pros and cons of your journey?
The pros of my journey include the opportunity to gain a global perspective on molecular neuroscience, learn advanced techniques with a vision to bring to the University of Sharjah in the near future. I also appreciated the chance to make new connections and build relationships with other students and faculty members. On the flip side, one of the cons of the journey was the initial adjustment period, as it took some t ime to get used to a new environment and the local language. Do you have any words of advice for other students who are planning to join the program? Keep an open mind and embrace new experiences. It's very important to be adaptable and flexible in the f ield of research, as well as take advantage of the resources and opportunities available to you. Additionally, building relationships with other students and faculty members can be a valuable way to network and gain insights into the f ield. There is no end to knowledge, and the best way to gain deeper understanding is to share the knowledge you’ ve attained. Finally, don' t be afraid to ask for help or support if you need it , whether it's from program coordinators or fellow students.