International Coffee Hour Brings Postdocs and Graduate Students Together
Career and professional development is at the heart of Einstein’s mission to help graduate students and postdoctoral fellows make the most of their tenure at the College of Medicine. The Career & Professional Development Program sponsors a variety of events that encourage professional networking and foster collegiality among its global community.
One such event is the International Coffee Hour, a monthly coffee/snack break for graduate students and postdocs. The event is funded the Belfer Institute for Advanced Biomedical Studies and organized by the Einstein Postdoctoral Association (EPA), which provides coffee and tea, and it is hosted by one or more postdocs or graduate students who share favorite snacks, desserts, and fun décor representing their home country.
A Coffee Break with a Twist
Thus far, 40 countries have been represented since the event’s inception in 2009. The event was introduced by Joerg Schlatterer, Ph.D., then a research associate at Einstein, and now manager of the graduate and postdoctoral scholars office at the American Chemical Society.
“The idea was that Coffee Hour would be an educational networking event for Ph.D. students and postdocs,” said Dr. Schlatterer by e-mail. “During a short break, participants can expand their network and learn about new cultures, foods, and science going on around the world, all while enjoying coffee with colleagues. It is an ultimate learning experience about one specific country featured by the host(s)."
“Einstein is home to a diverse, international community. The Coffee Hour is a great opportunity to meet new colleagues and those from your own country while tasting delicious treats from different parts of the globe,” agreed Tanara Peres, a former postdoctoral fellow who served as an event coordinator.
The current organizers of the event are Cinara Goncalves and Ashleigh Paparella. Ashleigh noted, “Events like the Coffee Hour helped me feel more at home after arriving here from Australia last year. Moving to a new country is not an easy task. This event provides a platform for graduate students and postdocs, alike, to meet and network, and it helps create a good sense of community at Einstein.”
Sharing a Taste of Home
The last several coffee hours have featured the United Kingdom, France, and Russia. “It’s always fun sharing some of our favorite snacks that we each miss from home,” said Kathy Potts, Ph.D. “I always look forward to this event because it offers a great opportunity to take a break from the bench, chat with colleagues, and share some international treats.”
Posted on: Thursday, January 03, 2019