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Alumni Profile: Denina Hospodsky |
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DAAD grant(s): Kurzzeitstipendium fuer Abschlussarbeiten 2007
Current occupation: MS/ PhD student
Current city of residence: New Haven, CT
Contact: Denina.hospodsky@yale.edu
How has your time in Germany affected your academic/professional career path?
I was born and raised in Berlin and I loved my city more than any other place. That’s why I couldn’t imagine leaving Berlin when I finished my high school diploma in 2002. Hence, I started to study environmental engineering at the TU Berlin not even having looked at other cities offering the same study and degree. In 2006, finally, I decided to explore the world: My first study abroad took me from the big and hectic city of Berlin to calm and cozy Durham, NC. Working on a year long hands- on project at Duke University, I applied science I had only known in theory before. That and collaborating in an international environment captured me in a way that I quickly decided that after pursuing my German master’s degree I would want to work as an international researcher- possibly back in the US as a PhD student or research assistant. Before doing so, however, I wanted to see the other side of the world. Hence, I found myself a final study project in Beijing, China, which was supported by the DAAD.
In fall 2008- after having finished my German degree- I got enrolled as a MS/ PhD student in the chemical engineering department, environmental engineering program at Yale University. Here, I am researching the influence of aerosol dynamics on microbial material in indoor air, a doctoral degree project demanding interdisciplinary work on the boarder between atmospheric studies and biotechnology. The international work atmosphere offered at the department and the impact of my research results onto public health are the most inspiring factors for me that pushed my decision for coming back to the US as a scholar.
What's the most important piece of advice you could give a new DAAD grantee?
Evaluate multicultural collaboration as an enriching aspect of your work. Communication between people of different nations is not always easy: Things said or indicated in one part of the world, might mean something different somewhere else. But if you listen carefully, if you are open- minded and if you are not afraid to ask for clarification, then you discover the small details of cultural life that are so very interesting to know and be aware of.
What was your most dramatic experience of culture shock while abroad?
In the beginning in the US, I was always very irritated when people ask me, how I was doing before I even introduced myself. They were even more irritated when I then would actually tell them how and what I was doing.
Once, I was invited to dinner by a guy without knowing that being asked out to dinner was the American equivalent to the German question: "Willst du mit mir gehen- ja/ nein/ vielleicht?" That also created some misunderstandings.
The first time I was in Asia, I did not understand that smacking during meals meant appreciation of the food. I also didn’t know why I was constantly ask if I would mind taking a picture with various Asians. Later a friend told me, that in China, it meant good luck to be seen together with a blond person.
Other than family/friends, what did you miss most while abroad? What do you miss from the US now that you're back?
In the US, I always miss German chocolate, German bread and having no closing hour in the pubs. I also miss a good public transportation network in smaller cities. When I was back in Germany for a while, I simply missed talking English with Americans, especially listening to their melody of speaking and certain slang phrases.
If you could go back and live your overseas adventure again, what would you do differently?
Not a single bit. Studying abroad opens so many doors and opportunities that else would stay shut. If eyes and ears are kept open, many more elements can be learned aside of pure education. Ever since I have been abroad, I have this illness called “Fernweh” and I don’t feel like there is a cure for it.
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