October Update: Germs, Paperwork, and ISSTA!

October was a whirlwind month filled with adjusting to local germs, navigating paperwork, and, most notably, submitting my first first-author paper to ISSTA.

Work-Life Balance for the Win!

One of the aspects I cherish most about working in Germany is the strong emphasis on work-life balance. This job allows me to take leisurely walks with my kids around the neighborhood or in the nearby forest. The cold weather only adds to the experience, making these moments even more enjoyable. I am also fortunate to have an advisor who genuinely cares about our growth and well-being, and I can confidently say that moving here has been one of the best decisions I’ve made (and I hope it stays that way).

Tackling the Bureaucracy

As anyone familiar with European systems knows, bureaucracy can be challenging. Having lived in Europe and experienced the Swiss system, I believe Germany still has room for improvement. However, I’m not here to criticize; instead, I want to contribute to positive change while respecting local norms. Understanding these processes takes time and observation, and only then can I form a well-rounded opinion. My initial takeaway is that some steps may have once been relevant but now seem outdated. With time, I hope to gain a more informed perspective.

ISSTA Submission Accomplishment

Submitting my first-author paper to ISSTA was a significant milestone. It was the result of collaboration with great colleagues, and we completed it in a remarkably short time after my arrival. The experience provided me with invaluable insights from the first-author perspective, and I am genuinely proud of the work we submitted. I am grateful for the learning opportunity and look forward to more exciting submissions in the future.

Looking Ahead: The Best is Yet to Come

Marcel, the team, and I are crazy ideas (yes I choose to be vague again) that I’m excited to share as we reach key milestones. There’s a lot in the works, and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.

Plans for November

Our to-do list for November includes exchanging our driver’s licenses for German ones, arranging Carly’s German classes, and completing more paperwork. I also plan to dedicate more time to learning German and, hopefully, start learning how to drive a manual transmission. It looks like the end of the year will be hectic.