{"id":64558,"date":"2026-06-23T12:46:42","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T10:46:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/paula-desire\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T14:56:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T12:56:11","slug":"paula-desire-uc-graduate-at-cern","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/es\/paula-desire-uc-graduate-at-cern\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00abCERN\u2026 does this really exist as a possibility?\u00bb"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=\u00bbin_container\u00bb full_screen_row_position=\u00bbmiddle\u00bb column_margin=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_direction=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_direction_tablet=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_direction_phone=\u00bbdefault\u00bb scene_position=\u00bbcenter\u00bb text_color=\u00bbdark\u00bb text_align=\u00bbleft\u00bb row_border_radius=\u00bbnone\u00bb row_border_radius_applies=\u00bbbg\u00bb row_position_desktop=\u00bbdefault\u00bb row_position_tablet=\u00bbinherit\u00bb row_position_phone=\u00bbinherit\u00bb overflow=\u00bbvisible\u00bb overlay_strength=\u00bb0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=\u00bbleft_to_right\u00bb shape_divider_position=\u00bbbottom\u00bb bg_image_animation=\u00bbnone\u00bb][vc_column column_padding=\u00bbno-extra-padding\u00bb column_padding_tablet=\u00bbinherit\u00bb column_padding_phone=\u00bbinherit\u00bb column_padding_position=\u00bball\u00bb flex_gap_desktop=\u00bb10px\u00bb column_element_direction_desktop=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_element_spacing=\u00bbdefault\u00bb desktop_text_alignment=\u00bbdefault\u00bb tablet_text_alignment=\u00bbdefault\u00bb phone_text_alignment=\u00bbdefault\u00bb background_color_opacity=\u00bb1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=\u00bb1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_shadow=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_border_radius=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_link_target=\u00bb_self\u00bb column_position=\u00bbdefault\u00bb gradient_direction=\u00bbleft_to_right\u00bb overlay_strength=\u00bb0.3&#8243; width=\u00bb1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=\u00bbdefault\u00bb animation_type=\u00bbdefault\u00bb bg_image_animation=\u00bbnone\u00bb border_type=\u00bbsimple\u00bb column_border_width=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_border_style=\u00bbsolid\u00bb][vc_column_text css=\u00bb\u00bb text_direction=\u00bbdefault\u00bb]My name is Paula, and I am <strong>currently pursuing a PhD in Physics at <a href=\"https:\/\/home.cern\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CERN<\/a><\/strong>, in Geneva. I have been living here for three years now, but <strong>my journey began at the University of Cantabria<\/strong> (Spain), part of the European university consortium EUNICE.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=\u00bb\u00bb text_direction=\u00bbdefault\u00bb]I studied a Double Degree in Physics and Mathematics at the University of Cantabria. I started in 2017, almost ten years ago now. And yet, I remember it as if it was yesterday \u2014 the nerves of the first day, the first exam. The fiftieth exam too, because experience never really made me calmer. I remember the overwhelming arrival of COVID, and afterwards, the strong desire we all had to leave home, to step outside our comfort zone. A desire that, at least for me, never went away.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=\u00bb\u00bb text_direction=\u00bbdefault\u00bb]I remember the moment I chose the topic for my Bachelor&#8217;s thesis in Physics \u2014 high-energy physics. Without a doubt, a decision that brought me closer to the life I have today. It was encouraged by the fact that my university has a strong High Energy Physics research group, closely collaborating with CERN.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=\u00bb\u00bb text_direction=\u00bbdefault\u00bb]But what I remember most is seeing, in a remote corner of the university website, a small note: \u00abOpportunities abroad \u2013 CERN Summer Student.\u00bb <strong>CERN\u2026 does this really exist as a possibility?<\/strong> I had always dreamed of visiting it, even before deciding to study physics. Well\u2026 once I had seen it\u2026 how could I not try?[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=\u00bb\u00bb text_direction=\u00bbdefault\u00bb]I remember submitting my application with a mix of nerves and hesitation, telling as few people as possible. Months later, I was in a lab class when I received an email from CERN. My first thought was: \u00abWhat a terrible day to receive a rejection,\u00bb as I looked out the window. It was raining, I was exhausted, and I did not even want to open the email. Finally, encouraged by a classmate who had noticed the notification, I opened it. I jumped in the middle of the classroom\u2026 <strong>I had been accepted. My dream, since forever.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=\u00bb\u00bb text_direction=\u00bbdefault\u00bb]As I said before, I have now been here for three years, and I do not know how long I will stay. That is why I know I have to enjoy the journey as much as possible. <strong>No matter what happens, this experience brings you international connections, and, more importantly, friendships. Each of us here has arrived by a different path, and understanding this has shown me how important it is not to give up. International experiences open many doors, and having the courage to walk through them always strengthens you.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=\u00bb\u00bb text_direction=\u00bbdefault\u00bb]I am very grateful that I came across that announcement, and it is so important that universities promote opportunities like this. <strong>Stay attentive, and look for your own path!<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=\u00bbin_container\u00bb full_screen_row_position=\u00bbmiddle\u00bb column_margin=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_direction=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_direction_tablet=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_direction_phone=\u00bbdefault\u00bb bg_color=\u00bb#CAD9BA\u00bb scene_position=\u00bbcenter\u00bb top_padding=\u00bb1&#8243; bottom_padding=\u00bb1&#8243; left_padding_desktop=\u00bb1&#8243; right_padding_desktop=\u00bb1&#8243; text_color=\u00bbdark\u00bb text_align=\u00bbleft\u00bb row_border_radius=\u00bbnone\u00bb row_border_radius_applies=\u00bbbg\u00bb row_position_desktop=\u00bbdefault\u00bb row_position_tablet=\u00bbinherit\u00bb row_position_phone=\u00bbinherit\u00bb overflow=\u00bbvisible\u00bb overlay_strength=\u00bb0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=\u00bbleft_to_right\u00bb shape_divider_position=\u00bbbottom\u00bb bg_image_animation=\u00bbnone\u00bb gradient_type=\u00bbdefault\u00bb shape_type=\u00bb\u00bb][vc_column column_padding=\u00bbno-extra-padding\u00bb column_padding_tablet=\u00bbinherit\u00bb column_padding_phone=\u00bbinherit\u00bb column_padding_position=\u00bball\u00bb flex_gap_desktop=\u00bb10px\u00bb column_element_direction_desktop=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_element_spacing=\u00bbdefault\u00bb desktop_text_alignment=\u00bbdefault\u00bb tablet_text_alignment=\u00bbdefault\u00bb phone_text_alignment=\u00bbdefault\u00bb background_color_opacity=\u00bb1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=\u00bb1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_shadow=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_border_radius=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_link_target=\u00bb_self\u00bb column_position=\u00bbdefault\u00bb gradient_direction=\u00bbleft_to_right\u00bb overlay_strength=\u00bb0.3&#8243; width=\u00bb1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=\u00bbdefault\u00bb animation_type=\u00bbdefault\u00bb bg_image_animation=\u00bbnone\u00bb border_type=\u00bbsimple\u00bb column_border_width=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_border_style=\u00bbsolid\u00bb][vc_column_text]\n<h4><strong>ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<\/strong><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_direction=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_direction_tablet=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_direction_phone=\u00bbdefault\u00bb top_padding=\u00bb1%\u00bb bottom_padding=\u00bb1%\u00bb left_padding_desktop=\u00bb1%\u00bb right_padding_desktop=\u00bb1%\u00bb text_align=\u00bbleft\u00bb row_position=\u00bbdefault\u00bb row_position_tablet=\u00bbinherit\u00bb row_position_phone=\u00bbinherit\u00bb overflow=\u00bbvisible\u00bb pointer_events=\u00bball\u00bb][vc_column_inner column_padding=\u00bbno-extra-padding\u00bb column_padding_tablet=\u00bbinherit\u00bb column_padding_phone=\u00bbinherit\u00bb column_padding_position=\u00bball\u00bb flex_gap_desktop=\u00bb10px\u00bb column_element_direction_desktop=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_element_spacing=\u00bbdefault\u00bb desktop_text_alignment=\u00bbdefault\u00bb tablet_text_alignment=\u00bbdefault\u00bb phone_text_alignment=\u00bbdefault\u00bb background_color_opacity=\u00bb1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=\u00bb1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_shadow=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_border_radius=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_link_target=\u00bb_self\u00bb overflow=\u00bbvisible\u00bb gradient_direction=\u00bbleft_to_right\u00bb overlay_strength=\u00bb0.3&#8243; width=\u00bb1\/5&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=\u00bbdefault\u00bb animation_type=\u00bbdefault\u00bb bg_image_animation=\u00bbnone\u00bb border_type=\u00bbsimple\u00bb column_border_width=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_border_style=\u00bbsolid\u00bb][image_with_animation image_url=\u00bb64562&#8243; image_size=\u00bbthumbnail\u00bb max_width=\u00bb100%\u00bb max_width_mobile=\u00bbdefault\u00bb animation_type=\u00bbentrance\u00bb animation=\u00bbNone\u00bb animation_movement_type=\u00bbtransform_y\u00bb hover_animation=\u00bbnone\u00bb alignment=\u00bb\u00bb img_link_large=\u00bbyes\u00bb border_radius=\u00bbnone\u00bb box_shadow=\u00bbnone\u00bb image_loading=\u00bbdefault\u00bb][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=\u00bbno-extra-padding\u00bb column_padding_tablet=\u00bbinherit\u00bb column_padding_phone=\u00bbinherit\u00bb column_padding_position=\u00bball\u00bb flex_gap_desktop=\u00bb10px\u00bb column_element_direction_desktop=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_element_spacing=\u00bbdefault\u00bb desktop_text_alignment=\u00bbdefault\u00bb tablet_text_alignment=\u00bbdefault\u00bb phone_text_alignment=\u00bbdefault\u00bb background_color_opacity=\u00bb1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=\u00bb1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_shadow=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_border_radius=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_link_target=\u00bb_self\u00bb overflow=\u00bbvisible\u00bb gradient_direction=\u00bbleft_to_right\u00bb overlay_strength=\u00bb0.3&#8243; width=\u00bb4\/5&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=\u00bbdefault\u00bb animation_type=\u00bbdefault\u00bb bg_image_animation=\u00bbnone\u00bb border_type=\u00bbsimple\u00bb column_border_width=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_border_style=\u00bbsolid\u00bb][vc_column_text css=\u00bb\u00bb text_direction=\u00bbdefault\u00bb]\n<p style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>Paula Desir\u00e9<\/strong>.<br \/>\nUniversity of Cantabria graduate. PhD candidate at CERN.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=\u00bbin_container\u00bb full_screen_row_position=\u00bbmiddle\u00bb column_margin=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_direction=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_direction_tablet=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_direction_phone=\u00bbdefault\u00bb scene_position=\u00bbcenter\u00bb text_color=\u00bbdark\u00bb text_align=\u00bbcenter\u00bb row_border_radius=\u00bbnone\u00bb row_border_radius_applies=\u00bbbg\u00bb row_position_desktop=\u00bbdefault\u00bb row_position_tablet=\u00bbinherit\u00bb row_position_phone=\u00bbinherit\u00bb overflow=\u00bbvisible\u00bb overlay_strength=\u00bb0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=\u00bbleft_to_right\u00bb shape_divider_position=\u00bbbottom\u00bb bg_image_animation=\u00bbnone\u00bb gradient_type=\u00bbdefault\u00bb shape_type=\u00bb\u00bb][vc_column column_padding=\u00bbno-extra-padding\u00bb column_padding_tablet=\u00bbinherit\u00bb column_padding_phone=\u00bbinherit\u00bb column_padding_position=\u00bball\u00bb column_element_direction_desktop=\u00bbdefault\u00bb column_element_spacing=\u00bbdefault\u00bb centered_text=\u00bbtrue\u00bb desktop_text_alignment=\u00bbdefault\u00bb tablet_text_alignment=\u00bbdefault\u00bb phone_text_alignment=\u00bbdefault\u00bb background_color_opacity=\u00bb1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=\u00bb1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_shadow=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_border_radius=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_link_target=\u00bb_self\u00bb column_position=\u00bbdefault\u00bb gradient_direction=\u00bbleft_to_right\u00bb overlay_strength=\u00bb0.3&#8243; width=\u00bb1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=\u00bbdefault\u00bb animation_type=\u00bbdefault\u00bb bg_image_animation=\u00bbnone\u00bb border_type=\u00bbsimple\u00bb column_border_width=\u00bbnone\u00bb column_border_style=\u00bbsolid\u00bb column_padding_type=\u00bbdefault\u00bb content_layout=\u00bbdefault\u00bb gradient_type=\u00bbdefault\u00bb][vc_gallery css=\u00bb\u00bb type=\u00bbflexslider_style\u00bb images=\u00bb64666,64668,64667,64669&#8243; onclick=\u00bblink_no\u00bb img_size=\u00bb360&#215;450&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A journey to transform the higher education landscape in Europe has begun with the launch of the European Universities Initiative&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":64563,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[252],"tags":[4341,4342],"class_list":["post-64558","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-blog","tag-cern","tag-university-of-cantabria"],"acf":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil.jpg",800,1067,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil-225x300.jpg",225,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil-768x1024.jpg",768,1024,true],"large":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil-768x1024.jpg",768,1024,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil.jpg",800,1067,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil.jpg",800,1067,false],"portfolio-thumb":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil-600x403.jpg",600,403,true],"nectar_small_square":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil-140x140.jpg",140,140,true],"portfolio-thumb_large":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil-800x604.jpg",800,604,true],"portfolio-thumb_small":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil-400x269.jpg",400,269,true],"portfolio-widget":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil-100x100.jpg",100,100,true],"wide":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil-800x500.jpg",800,500,true],"wide_photography":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil-800x600.jpg",800,600,true],"wide_small":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil-670x335.jpg",670,335,true],"regular":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil-500x500.jpg",500,500,true],"regular_small":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil-350x350.jpg",350,350,true],"tall":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil-500x1000.jpg",500,1000,true],"wide_tall":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil-800x1000.jpg",800,1000,true],"large_featured":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil-800x770.jpg",800,770,true],"medium_featured":["https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/foto_PaulaDesire_CMS-lil-800x800.jpg",800,800,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Ana Lezama Arrieta","author_link":"https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/es\/author\/uc_comms2\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"A journey to transform the higher education landscape in Europe has begun with the launch of the European Universities Initiative...","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64558","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64558"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64558\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64675,"href":"https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64558\/revisions\/64675"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64563"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64558"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64558"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64558"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}