Graduate student shares study abroad experience

Bioengineering Ph.D. student, Keith Mickolajczyk, shares his experience studying abroad at the University of Oxford, Oxford, U.K.

Study abroad opportunities offer students a wealth of advantages including cultural awakening, collaboration, and engaged scholarship. During part of the spring 2015 semester, Ph.D. student Keith Mickolajczk, traveled to Oxford, U.K. where he took part in laboratory research at the Kukura Lab, University of Oxford. Read the reflection of his experience.

Study Abroad Q&A with Keith Mickolajczyk

Major: Bioengineering

Expected Graduation Date: 2018

Degree Program: Ph.D.

Study Abroad Location: Oxford, U.K.

Name of Company or Institution: University of Oxford

Study Abroad Date: January, 2015

How did you hear about this study abroad opportunity?
This opportunity was an international collaboration set up between the Hancock Lab and the Kukura Lab. We initially met with their lab and became interested in collaborating at the Biophysical Society Annual Meeting 2014.

Can you briefly describe your favorite part of the study abroad experience?
My favorite part of the study abroad experience was getting to see all of the old churches and university buildings around Oxford.

What has been the most challenging aspect of your study abroad experience?
The most challenging part of the experience was making the on the spot adjustments necessary to get our single-molecule assays going at a high enough throughput.

Would you recommend this experience to other students?
Definitely. Collaboration is the lifeblood of science, and opens up huge new opportunities for your research.