My first time in Europe was in Rome, Italy. Everything felt new to me, and that made the whole trip even more memorable.
It was a great experience to meet friendly researchers who treated me with kindness and openness. As one of the younger people there, I honestly felt a bit like a baby researcher, but in a good way. People were welcoming, patient, and generous in conversation.
Rome itself was beautiful. The city felt ancient, lively, and full of stories. I also made a few friends there who were kind enough to take me around and show me parts of the city, which made the experience much more personal than just attending a conference.
What meant the most to me was being honored with the Best Doctoral Candidate Project Award. That moment stayed with me because it was not only a recognition of one project, but also a reminder that all the difficult work behind the scenes had value.
For me, this trip was a mix of research, friendship, discovery, and encouragement. It was my first time in Europe, and Rome gave me a memory I will carry for a very long time.