Finding “Hygge” During My Summer in Denmark with the BRAVO! Program

Aug. 2, 2024
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Picture of Erin Schuette standing in front of colorful houses along a canal in Copenhagen, Denmark

This summer, I had the pleasure of being one of the 2024 BRAVO students, and I collaborated with the Churko Lab at the University of Arizona and the Ochala Group at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. My project focused on studying myosin function and ATP metabolism in stem cell derived cardiomyocytes with various sarcomeric protein knockouts I had grown and differentiated in the Churko Lab. While in Copenhagen, I developed a new technique utilizing Mant-ATP chase experiments to measure myosin super-relaxed and disordered-relaxed states in single cardiomyocytes. 

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Picture of Erin with a group of friends in front of windmills

Denmark in the summer was gorgeous, especially when I hopped on my bike and found new places in the city to be lost in for a few hours. I loved being in the park around Rosenborg Castle, at the beach, or along the canals on any day it was sunny. When I wasn’t dodging the rain, I could also be found studying at the Royal Library or grabbing food at Reffen, an amazing street food market with many cultures represented in the different types of cuisine. Throughout my trip, I also had the wonderful opportunities to visit the Netherlands, UK, Sweden, Czech Republic, Germany, and Switzerland on weekend trips with friends and family. 

Despite having traveled to Europe for a family vacation once before, this experience was completely different and at times, very challenging. During all the excitement I felt during the planning of my trip, I underestimated how it might feel to acclimate to life in a big city where the first language is foreign to me. Thankfully, I got to know the wonderful students in my lab, and they were vital to my exploration of Copenhagen. I also got used to making more decisions solely for myself, regarding travel and free time, instead of having a busy schedule determined by friends and activities. Through these challenges, I found new perspectives on my goals for my future in science, as well as how important a balance in my life is for well-being and productivity. 

The term “hygge” is a Danish word that broadly describes creating a soulful atmosphere surrounded by the important people and experiences in your life. As I have reflected on my time in Denmark and thought about my desire to pursue the medical field, I realized that this idea of hygge can exist even when you face hardships and setbacks. I am confident that when I go back to Arizona, I will have a better appreciation for the friends and activities that provide this for me during the ups and downs of my rigorous coursework and research endeavors. 

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Group photo

Overall, the BRAVO program has been one of the biggest contributors for my mindset towards continuing my education in the medical field. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to immerse myself in a new culture within the familiar scientific field at such a young age. Seeing new perspectives from across the world and seeing my own life through these lenses has been pivotal in how I think the medical and scientific fields and what I want my role to be in them. Finally, I would like to thank all the donors for their financial support and belief in this incredible program that provides invaluable life experiences and new learning opportunities for young scientists at the University of Arizona.