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Frederik Novak Stenstad is a PhD student at the Research Unit of Neurology, at Department of Regional Health Research and Esbjerg Hospital. That part of his story is typical. What sets him apart is that he’s currently spending a year on a research stay in Barcelona – together with his wife and their four children.

– We’d always dreamed of living abroad, but we weren’t quite sure how to make it work, says Frederik Novak Stenstad.

– I happened to meet a professor from Barcelona at a lecture in Kolding, of all places. I got in touch with him afterwards, introduced him to my research, and asked whether there might be opportunities for a research stay at his centre. He connected me with my current supervisor there.

In Barcelona, Frederik is joined by his wife and their four children, aged 7, 3, and 11-month-old twins. His wife was on maternity leave during the first few months of their stay, but she now works remotely for her Danish employer. The children are enrolled in local school and childcare.

Figure out what you want

One of Frederik’s key pieces of advice when planning a research stay abroad is to reflect on why you want to go – and what you hope to get out of the experience.

– It has to make sense. I wanted to be somewhere I could make the right connections and be part of something exciting that would help me grow professionally, he explains.

– My PhD project focuses on immunological research, but here I’ve joined a group that’s among the leading experts in MR diffusion research. So, I’ve also gained valuable experience in that field.

Frederik also stresses the importance of involving your main supervisor early in the process. He credits his own supervisor, Tobias Sejbæk, as a key reason the stay has been such a success – offering support and guidance every step of the way.

Challenges are meant to be solved

Before going abroad, Frederik attended a career course where several speakers shared how their time abroad – and the international networks they built – had been some of the best decisions of their careers. Still, the idea of moving abroad sparked plenty of discussion among the participants, most of it focused on the challenges involved.

– Of course, it’s a big decision and it hasn’t always been easy. But it’s doable – and worth it. It’s a life-changing experience for the whole family, says Frederik.

– Sure, you can always find reasons not to go – but why would you? We look for solutions. The worries are often bigger than the actual obstacles once you’re in it.

His wife travels back to Denmark roughly once a month for in-person work, and the whole family joins when needed.

– Be open. If you make arrangements in advance, most workplaces are actually quite understanding, Frederik says.

Be generous with your time

Being part of a centre with a strong track record of attracting international researchers has been a real advantage for Frederik Novak Stenstad. The centre has welcomed researchers from abroad many times before, and he now shares an office with colleagues from Argentina, Colombia and Italy.

– The COVID lockdowns taught us what can be done remotely – and what really can’t. Sure, it’s easy to work from your laptop, but you miss out on the moments that matter: showing up at the office, saying good morning, grabbing a coffee or a beer after work, or inviting colleagues over for dinner, he says.

– I can really feel the value of being physically present – of investing my time and sharing my knowledge. I get so much in return.

Frederik has become a fully integrated member of the team. Recently, he even travelled to Japan with his Spanish research group to attend a conference.

He’s also keen to remind fellow researchers that Danish academics are highly skilled – and that international colleagues are genuinely eager to collaborate with us.

Start early

– I was surprised by how tricky the practical stuff turned out to be. The Spanish system is very different. Everything is done on paper, so applying for health insurance was an absolute nightmare, says Frederik.

– On top of that, very few public employees speak anything other than Spanish. In the end, we had to pay someone to help us navigate the system.

To help cover these kinds of expenses, Frederik applied for funding from several foundations – some of which specifically supported practical assistance.

– My salary was already covered, so I focused on applying for travel grants. ÌǹûÅÉ¶Ô gave me great advice, and I also got support from the local research office at Esbjerg Hospital, he explains.

Because applying for funding can be time-consuming, Frederik encourages others to start the process early. He and his wife handled housing, school and childcare arrangements themselves – a lot of work, but worth it to find the best fit for their family.

An experience of a lifetime

Despite the time and effort it took to secure funding, make plans and deal with the paperwork, Frederik has no doubt that going abroad was the right decision.

– It’s been an incredible gift for us as a family. We’re fully immersed in a new culture, my children now speak both Spanish and English, and we see this stay as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, he says, and adds:

– In many ways, this stage – during the PhD – is the perfect time to go. The further you move up the career ladder, the more expectations and responsibilities you take on. A PhD is a training programme, and right now, I have the chance to focus on learning.