Hello all, I’m Elisa, a PhDcandidate at IUSS Pavia. Civil engineer as a background, collaborating now withmany other disciplines. I've almost finished my 2nd year.
I am currently in Vienna, stayingas a guest researcher at the International Institute for Applied SystemsAnalysis (IIASA), which is located near Vienna, specifically in Laxenburg.IIASA is one of the leading institutions in research on global issues, particularlyclimate change, providing a stimulating interdisciplinary research environment.Having an office in an Austro-Hungarian castle is also fascinating! I have feltpart of the team since the very beginning. There have been funny moments, sportactivities, and social events which made it easy to connect. At the same time,the facilities and discussions have been great for productive work. The entireEM group has been fantastic, and the ABM-EM team, in particular, made me feelvery welcome.
I had to move a bit and changeaccommodations twice within six months. However, if you stay flexible andtravel light, it’s no big issue! Also, remember that big cities often haveextensive second-hand markets for anything you might need, so there’s no needto bring too much for your time abroad.
Upon returning to Italy, I planto continue working on my research. My time here has been a valuableexperience, both for my project and personal growth. As my stay comes to anend, I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and look forward to keepingin touch with colleagues here. I also hope to return in the future to extendour collaborations.
What stood out to me was thefocus on outdoor activities and spending time with others. In my free time, Ienjoyed going to the bouldering gym and playing padel with colleagues, it was agreat way to stay active and connect. Something I found challenging? As a trueItalian, adapting to local cuisines is always a bit tricky. While Austrian foodisn’t my favorite, I’ve come to appreciate the charm of the local Heuriger,which offers delicious food at very reasonable prices.