{"id":64558,"date":"2026-06-23T12:46:42","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T10:46:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/paula-desire\/"},"modified":"2026-08-10T10:27:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T08:27:52","slug":"paula-desire-uc-graduate-at-cern","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eunice-university.eu\/pl\/paula-desire-uc-graduate-at-cern\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8222;CERN\u2026 does this really exist as a possibility?&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; column_margin=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_tablet=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_phone=&#8221;default&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; row_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; row_border_radius_applies=&#8221;bg&#8221; row_position_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; row_position_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; row_position_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; flex_gap_desktop=&#8221;10px&#8221; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; column_element_spacing=&#8221;default&#8221; desktop_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8221;none&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_position=&#8221;default&#8221; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; animation_type=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; border_type=&#8221;simple&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]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=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]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=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]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=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]But what I remember most is seeing, in a remote corner of the university website, a small note: &#8222;Opportunities abroad \u2013 CERN Summer Student.&#8221; <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=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]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: &#8222;What a terrible day to receive a rejection,&#8221; 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=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]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=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]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=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; column_margin=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_tablet=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_phone=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_color=&#8221;#CAD9BA&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; top_padding=&#8221;1&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;1&#8243; left_padding_desktop=&#8221;1&#8243; right_padding_desktop=&#8221;1&#8243; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; row_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; row_border_radius_applies=&#8221;bg&#8221; row_position_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; row_position_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; row_position_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; gradient_type=&#8221;default&#8221; shape_type=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; flex_gap_desktop=&#8221;10px&#8221; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; column_element_spacing=&#8221;default&#8221; desktop_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8221;none&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_position=&#8221;default&#8221; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; animation_type=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; border_type=&#8221;simple&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_column_text]\n<h4><strong>ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<\/strong><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_tablet=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_phone=&#8221;default&#8221; top_padding=&#8221;1%&#8221; bottom_padding=&#8221;1%&#8221; left_padding_desktop=&#8221;1%&#8221; right_padding_desktop=&#8221;1%&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; row_position=&#8221;default&#8221; row_position_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; row_position_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; pointer_events=&#8221;all&#8221;][vc_column_inner column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; flex_gap_desktop=&#8221;10px&#8221; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; column_element_spacing=&#8221;default&#8221; desktop_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8221;none&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/5&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; animation_type=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; border_type=&#8221;simple&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8221;64562&#8243; image_size=&#8221;thumbnail&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221; max_width_mobile=&#8221;default&#8221; animation_type=&#8221;entrance&#8221; animation=&#8221;None&#8221; animation_movement_type=&#8221;transform_y&#8221; hover_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; alignment=&#8221;&#8221; img_link_large=&#8221;yes&#8221; border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; box_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; image_loading=&#8221;default&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; flex_gap_desktop=&#8221;10px&#8221; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; column_element_spacing=&#8221;default&#8221; desktop_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8221;none&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; width=&#8221;4\/5&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; animation_type=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; border_type=&#8221;simple&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]\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=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; column_margin=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_tablet=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_phone=&#8221;default&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; row_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; row_border_radius_applies=&#8221;bg&#8221; row_position_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; row_position_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; row_position_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; gradient_type=&#8221;default&#8221; shape_type=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; 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