A Global Research Journey: Lara’s view on belonging, research and mobility

To mark the 30th anniversary of MSCA, ViroiDoc invites its doctoral candidates to share their mobility experiences in a blog series in 2026.

To mark 30 years of Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), the ViroiDoc network invited its doctoral candidates to reflect on their mobility experiences. Mine is a story that does not end abroad but rather circles back home only to realize that “home” can feel just as new as any foreign country.

My journey into plant research and sustainable agriculture first took me away from Germany to Sweden in 2022, where I did my Master’s degree in Plant Biology for Sustainable Production. During this time, I worked on RNA-based approaches to control Phytophthora infestans, the pathogen responsible for potato late blight. The idea that we could replace conventional pesticides with targeted RNA sprays fascinated me and shaped my research interests.

When I came across the ViroiDoc doctoral network, which focuses on viroids and their interaction with plants from multiple angles, I was immediately interested. One of the projects specifically explored RNA-based strategies, which connected well with my previous work. So I applied and now I am part of the network, working on RNA spray approaches within this broader viroid-focused research framework. However, this opportunity brought me back to Germany.

Returning home after nearly three years abroad sounded simple at first. Familiar language, familiar systems - what could be difficult? As it turns out: quite a lot.

Instead of returning to what I knew I quickly learned, has its own rules. The Bavarian dialect alone was enough to make me question whether I had truly returned to my “mother tongue.” For the first few months, I often found myself nodding along in some conversations without fully understanding what was being said. Even in the lab, I struggled more than expected. Having studied entirely in English, I suddenly lacked the German vocabulary for many scientific terms. It was a strange experience: being fluent in a language, yet not quite able to express your professional identity in it.

Beyond language, there were cultural adjustments. Sweden had shaped my expectations of daily life in subtle ways, structured routines, quiet social norms, and of course, the well-known fika coffee breaks. Back in Germany, and particularly in Bavaria, things felt more spontaneous and at times less predictable.

One of the most unexpected cultural encounters was the Dult, Regensburg’s version of a traditional fair, held twice a year. A bit like a smaller Oktoberfest, with traditional clothing very much part of the experience. It didn’t take long before I realized that owning a Dirndl was less of a choice and more of a requirement if I wanted to fully participate in social life with my colleagues. What started as mild confusion quickly turned into appreciation for these traditions and the sense of community they create.

Back in Germany, I initially needed some time to readjust to a different social rhythm. One of my more personal milestones was joining a local handball club. It helped me settle into the city and build connections outside of work. It also came with a small challenge: understanding my coach. It took me a while to get used to the dialect during training, but at some point, it simply started to make sense - which felt like a quiet success.

Looking back, returning home was less straightforward than expected. Even within the same country, moving to a new region can feel like starting over in many ways. At the same time, it showed me how much there still is to discover in places that initially seem familiar.

Mobility, in that sense, is not only about going abroad. Sometimes, it is just as much about seeing your own country from a different perspective.

Lara Palatinus is an MSCA fellow within the ViroiDoc Network. Lara is working on an individual research project entitled “RNA sprays - precision tools for the modulation of host genes to develop viroid resistance” at the University of Regensburg (UREG), while also pursuing her PhD at the same institution. Lara´s supervisor is Aline Koch (UREG).