Timing and decisiveness
I believe success in any area of life is 90% timing and 10% hard work. If one thing defines my journey so far, it's decisiveness. Before I applied to JYU, I knew I wanted to work where cancer diagnostics meets therapy, and I had already identified the people who could help me get there.
In my first few weeks in Finland, I emailed professors in my department working on cancer research. I talk about it with my colleagues whenever I get the chance. It's basically my reality, so I've tailored every course I take towards it.
Building Essential Skills for a Career in Cancer Research
One of the best things about JYU is the flexibility to choose the courses you really want, within and outside your faculty.
I'm in the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, yet I took an Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology course from the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences.
I then added from my faculty; Structural Biology, Practical Work in Protein Chemistry and Advanced Bioinformatics: Genes and Gene Expression, Sequencing Technologies Now and in the Future, and many more that align with my future aspirations as a cancer researcher.
Altogether, the courses cover how cells work and how to read the data behind them. Structural Biology and Protein Chemistry also give me insight into the therapy side. Studying how proteins are built and handled in the lab is the foundation for understanding how drugs find their targets.
The course that stood out most was Cell Biological Imaging. I love microscopy, and I got to see impressive microscopes I had never seen before. I also operated them myself, and even the sample preparation turned out to be fascinating.
Taking My Studies Around the World
What surprised me most is how possible it is to go abroad.
One of my goals is to travel the world to visit research facilities (and football pitches, of course). Money is a big factor, but studying at JYU makes this realistic.
In my first year, I went on exchange to two countries outside Finland, Romania and Germany. I was privileged to visit top-class research facilities, especially the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research at JGU in Mainz. I was also able to get credit from my work experience in Nigeria, and the credits transferred into my degree.
What studying at JYU looks like?
I'm working towards a goal I plan to reach within two years. That makes the workload moderate somewhat, though there are busy days. Overall, it is pretty decent.
Courses at JYU tend to emphasize independent study rather than group work; common learning activities include learning diaries, independent study, and writing tasks. I think the idea is that teachers want you to find things out yourself and understand the technicalities and the science behind each experiment.
Group work is also included, mostly inside a course. You might share a lab experiment with a partner or team or prepare and deliver a group presentation. It's a good balance of learning to think alone and learning to work with others.
I've grown a lot here. Presenting in class improved my communication, and my scientific and research skills have developed a great deal. I've also developed a strong understanding of research ethics, lab safety, and the careful handling of reagents and samples.
It's been a fun and challenging journey. I know everyone's experience is different, and bringing your own perspective is what makes you stand out.
All I can say is: come and see for yourself!
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