Kevin Sours - Welcome Portal Saarland « Welcome Portal Saarland

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Dr. Kevin Sours (38)

Post-doctoral researcher at the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research

„You'd fit in at our laboratory really well“ - that was all that my professor said to me at the time. Today, 18 months and 8,100 kilometres later, I have turned my back on my home town of Denver, Colorado (USA) and moved to the Saarland, in order to work at the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research. I already knew a little about European culture. What happened to me on the first day, however, was quite new: when we arrived in Saarbrücken on a public holiday my wife Kelly and I had absolutely nothing, no food, nothing for our one-year old baby. All the shops were closed. Luckily we found a bakery where we were able to buy the essentials. That saved the day for us.

07:00 h

Wednesday morning, our little Ivy (3) is a reliable alarm clock as always. I enjoy the early morning at the breakfast table with her and Kelly before I take the bus to work. On the way I'm already thinking about my research project: we are looking for a remedy for tuberculosis.

08:00 h

Unlike in the US, I rely heavily on public transport with which I always get to work on time. But besides that, I can get anywhere and everywhere by bus and train. It's really very well organised in Saarbrücken - much better than in most American cities. When I arrive at the Institute, I meet my colleagues, some of whom have become good friends. The things they did for us when we moved into our flat - not everyone would do that! They were a great help. Another reason why we feel so at home here!

„I love the interplay of cultures - multicultural Saarland!“

17:00 h

Another day in the fight against disease is over - and every day I am grateful for the fantastic opportunities that are presented to me here: the Helmholtz Institute matches my research interests perfectly.

17:30 h

My day is far from over - now it's time for my German course at the university, which I go to twice a week. A good way to learn the language and get a better understanding of German culture.

18:00 h

My wife Kelly and daughter Ivy are already waiting for me. They have come straight from children's dancing, where the two have quickly come into contact with other mothers and children. Ivy has learned German very quickly - she can also speak a bit of the Saarland dialect. Soon she will attend a Franco-German kindergarten. I think it's great having the opportunity to learn several languages!

Some Franco-German nurseries

18:30 h

Time for dinner together. Today we don't want to cook, but will go to one of the many fine restaurants instead. The wide range of international cuisine in a small area doesn't make the choice easy.

20:00 h

Völklinger World Heritage Site

Ivy goes to bed. Time to make plans with Kelly. We love getting to know the region and its cultures. After visits to Metz and Luxembourg City we will look around the World Heritage Site at Völklingen. The cultural diversity is awesome - a place to live and relax.