Nutrition-Gut-Brain Interactions Research Centre (NGBI)

Student experiences

Name: Merel Tuteleers
Country: Belgium
University: AP University College, Antwerp
Educational program and level: Professional Bachelor, Nutrition and Dietetics
Time of stay: 1/9/2025-19/12/2025
Funding: Erasmus+

What made you decide to come to our group?
I chose this internship because I really wanted to gain an international experience during my studies. The opportunities offered through my university were quite limited, so I started looking for options myself and talking to other students about their experiences. In that way, I came across the NGBI group in Örebro.

I was immediately interested in the research topic and in the opportunity to learn how scientific studies are designed and carried out in practice. I wanted to learn as much as possible and challenge myself in a new academic environment. The fact that this could take place in Sweden was an important extra motivation for me. Sweden has always interested me, especially because of the different Scandinavian approach to topics such as nutrition compared to many other European countries. I was curious to see what I could learn, both scientifically and culturally, from being in Sweden.

This internship also gave me the chance to explore what kind of professional path I might want to follow after my studies and how broad my field of study really is. For me, this experience felt like a meaningful step outside my comfort zone and, in many ways, a dream come true. 

My experience in the lab was very positive. I was given the opportunity to develop new skills and to explore different aspects of research. I was able to follow several colleagues in their work and to support them in different parts of their research projects, which helped me understand how studies are organized and conducted in practice.

It was also interesting to see how research in Sweden is similar to, but also different from, what I was used to in Belgium, for example in terms of organization and working routines. I felt welcomed by the team and appreciated the guidance and trust I received during my internship.

How was your experience at our University and our city?
Örebro is a very pleasant city to live in. It has the advantages of a larger city, but still feels calm and accessible. There are many cozy cafés and restaurants, and at the same time a lot of green spaces and nature close by, which makes it easy to find both social life and quiet places to relax. As a student city, Örebro is also very welcoming, especially for international students. The university and student organizations put a lot of effort into creating a good Erasmus experience. There are several student associations, including Nexus for international students, which made it easy to meet people and feel part of the student community.

Through Nexus and their collaboration with Timetravels, I was able to participate in different trips and activities that helped me discover more of Sweden. One of the highlights was a trip to Lapland (Sápmi), which was a unique and memorable experience.

What was the best?
It is difficult to point out one single best aspect, because the experience as a whole was very positive. Living independently in Sweden for four months was an important personal experience for me. At the same time, the internship allowed me to grow academically and professionally.

I learned new skills, gained insight into different research projects, and experienced how scientific work is done in practice, from laboratory activities to understanding how scientific articles are developed. Discovering the city of Örebro and its surroundings, and learning more about Swedish culture, were also important parts of what made this experience special.

What do you take with you from here?
From this internship, I take with me practical knowledge about how research is designed and conducted, as well as a better understanding of what working in a research environment involves. I also gained more confidence in working independently and in an international setting. In addition, I take with me a broader perspective on my field of study and on my future possibilities. Living and working in Sweden helped me become more adaptable and open to different ways of thinking and working. This experience has motivated me to keep challenging myself and to continue seeking opportunities that allow me to grow, both academically and personally. 

Brooke-Allyson ATTISSO     

Name: Brooke-Allyson ATTISSO
Country: France
University: Caen University
Educational programme and level: Master’s in Neurosciences (first year)
Time of stay: 2 months (April-May)
Funding: Erasmus+

What made you decide to come to our group?
I've been fascinated by the gut microbiota and its connection to the brain for a long time, and I knew that for my Master's internship I had to find a lab that was actually working on this. I had already visited the APC Microbiome Institute, but I really wanted to discover a new country and a different research environment.

While searching, I came across the NGBI and honestly, the more I read about the group, the more excited I got. What really drew me in was the clinical aspect of the research. Working with actual participants is something that means a lot to me, because it's potentially the direction I want to take in my career. It felt like the perfect place to figure that out. 

It was eye-opening! I got to discover different sides of research, working with biological samples, but also interacting directly with participants. That clinical dimension was so valuable to me. It gave me a real understanding of how research can be conducted, from the lab bench to real people, and it made me even more certain that this is the kind of work I want to do in the future.

How was your experience at our University and our city? 
Örebro was one of those places I didn't know I needed until I was already there. The landscape, the calm, the way the city breathes, it all felt like such a contrast to what I was used to. And the university blew me away. Not just the infrastructure, but the whole atmosphere around it. I came here for a research experience and I ended up discovering a place that genuinely made me feel good, grounded, and inspired all at once.

What was the best? 
Some of the people I met, without any doubt. But also something more personal, realizing that I actually spent two months alone in a country I had never been to, far from my family and friends. It was a real challenge for me. The me from a year ago would never have imagined doing something like this. But what made it even more special were the women I got to meet here. Being surrounded by so many intelligent, driven and powerful women gave me this energy that I can't fully put into words. It made me feel like I could do anything too, like if they did it, I can do it. That feeling is something I didn't expect to find on an internship.

What do you take with you from here?
So much. First, all the conversations I had with incredible people, advice about my future academic path, about how to grow professionally, but also about how to take care of myself and not lose sight of what makes me happy along the way. That balance between ambition and wellbeing is something I'll carry with me.

But beyond that, I take with me the proof that I can do hard things. I came here not knowing anyone, not knowing the city, and little by little I started to feel at home. I started to genuinely love this experience, this place, these people. And that confidence, knowing that I can step out of my comfort zone and actually thrive, is probably the most valuable thing I'm bringing back home.

This experience also made me realize that I want to keep going. Keep exploring, keep discovering this field in different places, with different people, different approaches. There's so much out there in gut-brain research and I feel like this internship was just the beginning. I came back with a clearer vision of where I want to go, and a real hunger to get there.