On the Amazing People in Neuroscience.

I’m back from my journeys, and I’ve got to say that travel truly educates. Contrary to expectations, the older you get, the more you gain from it. Firstly, I’ve never been as passionate about anything for a while as I am about neuroscience now.

It’s not about being hooked on people; it’s a different kind of addiction. When you gaze at a neuron diagram and feel serotonin surge tangibly. Or you attend a lecture on the neural basis of perception and it’s like being in a super-engaging movie, except you got in for free.

And those people, they’re amazing! Since most neuroscientists come from diverse backgrounds like physics, computer science, engineering, biology, psychology, and biochemistry, they’re open to knowledge, people, and different cultures. According to a 2022 study in PLOS One, this kind of interdisciplinary team diversity is linked to significant gains in scientific output. It’s no wonder that every neuroscience gathering turns into a celebration of philosophy, learning, culture, fun, and a bit of craziness.

It struck me how many faculty members are skilled dancers, volleyball players, or even stand-up comedians. Actually, everyone seems to be.

Even with morning presentations at summer school, it doesn’t stop them from getting together for a midnight breakdancing lesson in a run-down castle. I love this community and its atmosphere.

What Did I Learn About the Culture of Science?

That’s not all I observed. I also realized that faculty members, our teachers, aren’t always perfectionists, as they might be labeled. They sometimes gloss over or hide things in their publications, all to ensure publication itself, because their motto seems to be more about ‘publish and have fun’ than ‘work and discover.’ According to John, Loewenstein and Prelec (2012) in Psychological Science, a large survey of psychologists found that so-called questionable research practices, such as selectively reporting results, are surprisingly common in academic publishing.

Overall, I found a lot of alignment between their mindset and my own optimistic perspective.

What Philosophies Do Successful Scientists Share?

Listening to successful people share their philosophies on life and work, I found our thinking to be quite similar.

It’s rooted in humanism, empathy, inspiration, mindfulness, blazing our own unique trails, and valuing philosophy over cutthroat competition. The thinking style I encountered in these schools aligns more closely with my mindset than what I encounter in my daily surroundings.

Interestingly, many of the accomplished individuals I met on my journey were Buddhists and vegetarians. This struck a chord with me, as I’ve been drawn to this lifestyle since I started thinking for myself around the age of 14. Unfortunately, the unsupportive environment around me made me veer off this path halfway through my studies.

Now, I’ve made a firm decision to reclaim that identity. So, as soon as I returned to the Netherlands, I located the nearest meditation center and plan to start attending tomorrow.

During my trip, I met many students only slightly older than me, in the advanced stages of their PhDs. They possess an impressive problem-solving ability, generic and adaptable, enabling them to debug code and tackle questions systematically.

I admire them, and I’m making an effort to engage more with fellow students, asking questions and observing their thought processes for inspiration. I sense a great journey is underway, and it’s worth striving to overcome obstacles.

A Long Journey Through Two Summer Schools: From China to Poland.

China itself was quite a country. I was based at Tsinghua University, China’s top university, so my opinion might not be entirely objective. The Chinese were open-minded and managed English quite well. Summer in China was beautiful. I didn’t see much—just the Great Wall, a few downtown pubs, and the Summer Palace—but I liked it a lot. I might return someday as a tourist.

In Poland, I spent a month in Będlewo near Poznań. It felt a bit like camp, as we were lodged in a center in a remote village with little to do except neuroscience. There was a charm to it, like the landscape of Greater Poland—monotonous yet charming, reminiscent of my nostalgic childhood spent mainly in the Bieszczady Mountains.

I must confess, the school in China was more intense, leading to unexpected outcomes. Challenges were more common, resulting in forming friendships despite the shorter time and less free time. A group of us planned a night trip to the Great Wall, followed by a visit to a disco.

Four coachloads of enthusiastic people armed with backpacks full of alcohol were caught in the hardest rain in 60 years. After two hours on the bus, we had to turn back, wading through knee-deep water on the streets of Beijing, dancing in wet clubs, and finally squeezing into taxis to get “home.” Such experiences truly bond people. According to Bastian, Jetten, Thai and Steffens (2018) in Frontiers in Psychology, sharing an unexpectedly difficult experience with a group leads to more supportive interaction between members compared to a similar but easy experience.

What Else Did I Take Away From the Trip?

I also learned the hard way that chronic lack of sleep can take a toll on me. My dedication to my tasks and socializing led me to the hospital with a serious infection during my second school in Będlewo. I was pumped with antibiotics like a horse.

I even lost my voice for a week, communicating through gestures. These memories will stay with me.

Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend travel, particularly in the form of summer schools. It’s hard work, but it’s a gift to interact with a talented, diverse crowd and understand what fuels their happiness and careers.

Once again, I felt like I was part of a global MISMaP-like event, relieved to think that this is the pinnacle—people from everywhere and nowhere, elusive yet unforgettable. You can’t hold onto them; you can only hope to see them again, as they follow their unique paths. It’s a good thing, as it drives you to fight for them, to work, write, and attend conferences, holding out for the possibility of encountering them once more.