Uluslararası İlişkiler Ofisi

Manal Muhatar Ali Al-Hajj, Jena University Hospital (Almanya)

01.01.2025-30.01.2025

Inspired by the saying "with every new opportunity comes the chance to rewrite your story and redefine your purpose,” and as a research-obsessed person, I have always sought opportunities within research communities where science is practiced with integrity and is properly supported. Europe, particularly Germany, was one of my destinations for being inside an industrialized society.  This year, my dream came true with a grant from the Erasmus+ program at Nevsehir Haci Bektas University, Turkiye.

My journey of getting the grant of Erasmaus+program began with having a suitable GPA, learning how to write an effective cover letter along with an appropriate CV to seek approval of trianing from a professor,  passing the English exam, receiving an acceptance letter from Prof. Thomas Lehir at the institute of Human Genetics, Jena Hospital University, Germany, and finally obtaining the visa. The visa process was the most challenging for me, as I hold a passport from a country where the conflicts never stop, which often leads embassies of stable countries to doubt our real purpose of the destination.  Nevertheless, I was lucky enough to be given the visa on my first attempt.  I am so grateful. 

Being in Germany was really amazing and an incredible experience.  I have had the chance to work alongside disciplined and open-minded people who not only taught me about the professional practices in the lab, but also helped me understand their values and practices that make them a strong nation.

I really would like to thank Erasmus+ for giving me this opportunity. I also would like to thank all the staff members at the International Relations Office, particularly Makbule Fişekçioğlu, PhD, who was continuously sharing original guidelines and important information that made me more confident and well-prepared for the entire process of this opportunity.