Almost one year ago, I embarked on one of the greatest experiences of my life. Ever since I started my PhD, my wife Renata and I had hoped that I could spend some time abroad to further my studies. However, many things happened in the first two years of my PhD that made me question my ability and the feasibility of this happening.
In May 2023, I decided to take the risk and apply for a government-funded scholarship in Brazil (Capes). To do this, I sent an email to Professor Johanna Kujala, not knowing if I would even receive a response, let alone a positive one, to my request to spend six months conducting my research in Tampere. Much sooner than anticipated, I received Johanna's positive response.
On November 11, 2023, I left for Finland. I could never predict that over the course of six months, so much would happen. In terms of academic development, through valuable feedback, and participation in research groups and events, I not only advanced on my PhD project, but I also had the opportunity to get in touch with a network of professors and colleagues that broadened my perception of what being a researcher is and could be. I remember a particular experience at the Responsible Business Research Conference 2024, where I was exchanging ideas and experiences with some of the most important names in stakeholder theory worldwide – at a sauna. This kind of opportunity can’t be measured.
I remember a particular experience at the Responsible Business Research Conference 2024, where I was exchanging ideas and experiences with some of the most important names in stakeholder theory worldwide – at a sauna.
At the end, I revised the theoretical and methodological chapters of my PhD project, submitted the project to the Research Ethics Committee, and began the data collection stage. Additionally, I developed and submitted an article to the Journal of Social Entrepreneurship (published in September 2024), an article to the Gestão e Regionalidade Journal (published in August 2024), and a chapter on Social Enterprises to the Elgar Encyclopedia of Innovation Management (to be published).
If predicting the benefits such an opportunity could bring on the academic side was impossible, imagine what it brought in terms of personal experience. Much to my surprise, I found myself incredibly at home in a country that warmly welcomed me. Finding my “inner Finn” was no battleship: there were about 10 Tappara hockey games (including the national championship), countless sauna sessions (with avanto), long walks, or weekend runs to explore as much of Tampere as possible. From the northern lights to Vappu, horseback riding in Turku, and trying (and liking) Mämmi and Salmiakki, I loved the country and especially the people who made this experience so unforgettable.
I arrived in Finland with a draft PhD project to refine, articles to revise and submit, some ideas, and many doubts about my academic performance. But I left with so much more. For all of this, I will always be grateful. I can only hope that now, back in Brazil and finishing my PhD, I will contribute further to the people and environment that gave me so much.
Filippe Delarissa Barros
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