Goodbye Garvan Institute

Friday was my last day at the Garvan Institute. (Though, I still needed to present my presentation on Monday). I was having a goodbye lunch in the cutest Japanese restaurant with all my lab colleagues and several friends from other labs at Garvan. My supervisor Kylie said the most lovely words about my dedication and had spoken out her appreciation. It was really a compliment to me to receive those words as a student from a well-established Post Doc scientist in the field of Immunology. It was very thoughtful of them to purchase me typical Australian goodbye gifts: Sydney Recipe Book, two boxes of delicious Tim Tams, and a tube of Vegemite. I also happily received a card with goodbye messages from my fellow scientists. After unwrapping my gifts, I was sort of expected to give a little Speech. Scarily, under the full attention of every customer in the full house restaurant I might add. Off course, I hadn't prepared anything. But because I was so grateful to their kindness and helpfulness throughout the entire course of my internship, I really did wanted to say a few spontaneous words as a token for my appreciation. It was one of those moments, that when I look back to it I was really surprised that the words came out of my mouth so fluidly and smoothly. For once, my English wasn't limiting the rapid pace of my thoughts as it often does when my brain waves get too excited. Afterwards, we went for drinks in the pub Greenhotel. It was nice to get drunk with my colleagues. As my internship was terminating anyway, I did not had to maintain much dignity. And I surely didn't. Don't tell the Garvan Institute, but I kind of threw up in the toilets there.

All weekend I was preparing for my final presentation, which I had to give on Monday. I must say, normally, I am not that nervous when it comes down to presenting. But also normally, I present to fellow students who have relatively the same knowledge as I have. Now I was presenting in front of my lab colleagues who have been in the field for many years. Compared to them, I know peanuts! Therefore, I was nervous. I slept really badly that night, waking up in the middle of the night to write down nice phrases for my presentation. It was like I was still working on my presentation in my dreams. However, once I started presenting I was actually feeling quite calm and relaxed. I was taking control. I knew my project, and I was talking the talk. I was confident. It was quite scary, though, to be presenting my results in front of prof. Jonathan Sprent, head of the department, and a very respected Immunologist. But he was really friendly and it seemed like I had caught his interest. He, of course, gave great suggestions about my projects, and made me think about things that left me wondering: Why didn't I think of that!? Eventually, he complimented me about my presentation, and he thought that I did a lot of work for such a short period of time. That was a compliment! Because normally, I always have the feeling like you never have done enough experiments. He also asked me when I was coming back again, ha-ha. Finally, my supervisor showed me the assessment form she filled out for me. My final report, presentation, and most of my lab skills were graded with excellent, except for my common knowledge and creativity, which was graded with very good. I was filled with happiness! Overall, my project should be receiving the grade: 9.5 - 10. That would be just the perfect ending of my internship!

I enjoyed working at the Garvan Institute so much. The people are really friendly. The vibe is good. I had the most amazing supervisor. The best colleagues. My project was challenging. Everyday, I was looking forward to be going to the lab. At home, I kept thinking about how to improve my project. When I look back at what I knew before I started my internship, and what I know now after my internship ended: there's a big knowledge gap. I've been taught so much. And it just makes me realize more and more how much I want this, how much I enjoy being in the field of Medical Research. When I get back home to the Netherlands, there is an awesome graduation project waiting for me, which will be a collaboration with Leiden, Amsterdam, and Toronto. Something to be looking forward to!

But until then,

I am going to travel and explore the beauties of down under'!

I am going to swap my medical journals, with good books.

My chemicals, with cocktails.

My pipettes, with a compass.

My laboratory, with beaches and mountains.

My mice, with wildlife.

I am liking this...