You will not regret it

Flemming Javier Olsen, Harvard University, 2019-2020

At the end of September 2019, I went to Boston to be a visiting research fellow at Harvard Medical School at the Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital.

The purpose of the fellowship was to experience a different research environment and gain insights into how another group’s research process by collaborating on a dedicated project. Specifically, I studied how the heart is affected in a very rare disease called Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome – a genetic disorder that causes the aging process to accelerate abnormally fast. Our preliminary findings are very interesting and have helped shape and develop new related research projects.

Fulbright not only supported me financially but also helped me with a lot of the logistical considerations before departure and throughout my entire stay. This substantially lessened the stress that comes with having to relocate to another country and essentially allowed me to focus on the personal and research parts of my research exchange.

(The article continues under the picture)

Fulbright Grants

Each year Fulbright Denmark awards grants to top Master and PhD-students wanting to study in the U.S.

Learn More

"Fulbright (...) lessened the stress that comes with having to relocate to another country."

- Flemming Javier Olsen, Fulbrighter 2019-2020

About halfway through my stay, COVID-19 hit and everything changed. I was not allowed into the hospital and had to work remotely from my apartment. Obviously, this impacted my projects, however, it also allowed me to spend more time with my wife as well as the friends we had made in Boston. It freed up more time to experience the culture and everything Massachusetts had to offer to a greater extent than before COVID-19.

I learned a lot professionally, but looking back at my fellowship, the things I will cherish the most are all the moments and experiences I had with my amazing colleagues, friends, and not least my wife.

To anyone who may be contemplating an exchange program, my advice is: do it. You won’t regret it. Lastly, remember to prioritize the personal experiences over the professional part. Those are the memories that will stick with you.