I’m Kathleen and I work as a Project Controller at the University of Helsinki.
I work in the finance department and my work consists of taking care of the pre- and post-award financial management of projects, reporting to, and advising researchers.
What motivated you to participate in the Live My Life programme?
My motivation to apply to the program was to get a broader view of the academic world, learn new practises and enhance my skills at work. But also learning about new culture, language and meeting new people and creating connections.
What was the most captivating or interesting moment of the week?
The most interesting moment of the week was meeting all the people who gave their time to explain their work or about the history and functions of University of Bologna. People who engaged in conversation and shared experiences and practises with me, who were also interested in where I come from and gave me an opportunity to promote the University of Helsinki and Finland.
Tell us something new you have learnt during your days in the partner institution that you didn’t know before.
I learned a lot about the history of the University and the city of Bologna. From the many kilometres of porticoes protecting the citizens from the sun and rain to its culture and people, who are very kind, and the atmosphere that is welcoming from the moment you arrive.
What words / expressions did you learn in the language of the host country during your stay abroad?
I learned that Bologna is called by the terms la dotta, la rossa e la grassa, which mean the learned city, because of its university and education, the red city, because of its red coloured houses and roofs, and the fat city for the Bolognese people’s love for food.
Tell us about your Una Europa partner and what you learnt or found interesting about them.
My Una Europa partner is Martina, who works as an Accountant at the University of Bologna. Martina is very artistic and funny, but also hard-working and very down to earth. She makes a great exchange peer because she is very proud to show her culture, work she does and the university she works at. I was also happy to meet Hersh who joined us in the Una Europa week in Bologna from the University College Dublin, Ireland.
What lessons or experiences have you taken home with you?
When meeting with the research funding team, it was very interesting to share our views and talk about the processes and some challenges we have acknowledged in the ways of working and while trying to enhance the process.
One of the most beautiful places I visited in the city of Bologna was the Basilica di Santo Stefano, which is the church of seven churches, and has seven churches inside of it. It was almost frightening to visit there right before its closing time, when I was the only person there and could only hear the echoes of my footsteps in the silence.
Would you recommend that others take part in Live My Life? If so, why?
I would encourage everyone to open their heart to the Live My Life experience and to new people, to share and to learn. Being part of the program gave me so many unforgettable moments, new experiences and fed my curiosity of the world around me. I was glad to see that being part of an experience like this isn’t limited to only those who are very social, extroverted, and outgoing – the most important thing is to just be yourself, and kind to everyone, and it will get you far.
Thank you, Una Europa, for this once in a lifetime experience!
