Exploring new skills, facing challenges, and immersing themselves in a different culture: these were some of the experiences lived by a group of Sorbonne Université master’s students during their time at the Universidade de São Paulo (USP).
Through an academic mobility program carried out between Sorbonne Université, the Faculdade de Medicina da USP (FMUSP), and the Comprehensive Center for Precision Oncology (C2PO), students Alanna Dorsey (United States), Antoine Voslamber (Germany/France), Margaux Beze (France), Shubhdeep Kaur (India), and Yaroslava Shevchenko (Ukraine) spent six months in Brazil — except for Shubhdeep, who stayed for one year. During this period, they completed their internships at the Center for Translational Research in Oncology (CTO) of the São Paulo State Cancer Institute (ICESP) (LIM24 at FMUSP), where they engaged in both practical and theoretical activities.
The students dedicated themselves to challenging projects, honing their skills in areas such as cancer biology, immunology, bioinformatics, and data analysis.
C2PO asked the group how the experience of studying at USP and living in Brazil shaped their training. Below, the students share their accounts of the program, the impact of their time at USP on their academic paths, and the personal lessons they will carry into the future.
Alanna Dorsey – Immunology Program
Studying at USP was integral to my path in becoming a physician-scientist, because it was the perfect training environment. I had incredible mentors, Dr. Luciana Andrade and Dr. Renata Saito, who bolstered my scientific thinking and skills in planning experiments. They and all the other lab members were very approachable, so I was not afraid to make mistakes and ask for help. The team was exceptionally patient with me, describing in detail the protocols, experiments, and results until I could explain it myself. In addition, the classes in the program were well-organized to foster student growth. It was an invaluable experience to get highly personalized, small classes with Professor Chammas and four other students. I was new to the fields of cancer and immunology, so it was crucial for me to be able to ask questions and check my understanding with an expert in the field.
In addition to the educational training I received in the lab and in classes, the experience of studying in São Paulo fostered my development. Cultural humility is a priority of mine, and I hope to become a physician who provides empathetic, culturally-sensitive care to people of all backgrounds. Therefore, it was invaluable for me to spend half a year in Brazil, where I was fully immersed in a new culture. There were lots of students in the lab, and they were all very friendly and became great friends of mine. As we went to Bandejão (university cafeteria) for lunch every day, they introduced me to Brazilian traditions and taught me useful phrases in Portuguese. I will cherish my memories of going with them to art museums and Festa Junina celebrations, where I learned about the art, food, and history of Brazil. I loved exploring the rich culture in Brazil, and the friendships and lessons I gained were foundational in my personal growth.
In total, studying at USP was the perfect balance of challenging myself with a new field and a new culture, while being in a welcoming environment that became my new home.
Antoine Voslamber – Bioinformatics Program
My semester abroad at USP has been a very interesting and enriching experience, both for my personal development and my skills as a scientist. Before coming to São Paulo, I had never been to Brazil before, so the large cultural shift compared to France or Germany meant that I had to learn to adapt to a completely different environment. Challenges I had to overcome, that made me grow as a person, included for example the language barrier, having to communicate in Portuguese with little to no previous knowledge and the navigation in a very differently structured city than what I had been used to all my life.
The lab experience and classes also taught me specific skills that I am sure will be of use in the future. Due to the school of immunology seminars and the Cancer Biology classes, I not only learned to attentively follow scientific presentations for extended periods of time, but also to visualize my own data and communicate it to an audience in a comprehensive manner. Furthermore, the review we wrote on one of the seminar subjects was also excellent training for improving my bibliographical research skills and my scientific writing and reasoning.
Another thing my time in Brazil taught me is that not everything in life goes as planned and that unforeseen circumstances can be used as opportunities for growth. Upon my arrival, I opted for a wet lab. Later, I integrated into the bioinformatics subgroup of the CTO under the direction of Dr. Luciana Barros, which gave me the opportunity to learn things I would’ve normally never encountered, had I stayed with a wet lab only internship. In this way, I was able to hone my data analysis and visualization skills and learn coding using the language R. Considering the rise of high throughput data in the biomedical sciences and especially in immunology, I am thankful for this experience and the skills it has taught me.
Margaux Beze – Onco-Immuno-Hematology Program
Studying at USP has been a defining step in my education and training. Being part of the onco-immuno-hematology group at ICESP exposed me to a dynamic clinical-research environment where science and patient care are closely connected. I had the chance to learn from experienced supervisors, benefit from excellent laboratory facilities, and participate in projects that challenged me to grow both technically and intellectually. What stood out most was the mentorship style: I received close guidance at the beginning, but was gradually given independence, which helped me gain confidence and develop my own scientific judgment. In parallel, I also took part in stimulating classes, such as a journal club with Professor Chammas, where we discussed recent publications, and a cancer cell biology course with USP students, both of which encouraged critical thinking and scientific exchange.
Beyond the lab, this experience was equally enriching. Living in São Paulo challenged me at first, but I quickly came to appreciate its vibrant culture, dynamic nightlife, and the warmth of its people. Traveling across Brazil and experiencing events such as Carnaval gave me a deeper connection to the country and its diversity. I leave USP not only with stronger scientific expertise and a clearer vision of my future career, but also with meaningful friendships and unforgettable memories.
Yaroslava Shevchenko – Immunology Program
My experience at USP, particularly the internship at the Center for Translational Research in Oncology at ICESP, was a big step forward in both my professional and personal development. I took on the challenge of diving into a completely new field of computational biology, and I felt constantly supported and guided throughout the process.
For me, this experience wasn’t just about a great academic system (the lectures really were amazing), but also about being in a space where I felt safe to ask questions, offer ideas, and share insights. The supervisors weren’t just there to teach, they were open to listening, exchanging ideas, and learning together with us.
My time in Brazil was truly special, mostly because of the incredible people I met — many of whom were my colleagues and supervisors. And I think that says a lot about the place. At the end of the day, the people you meet along the way are one of the most valuable parts of any professional journey, and it’s clear that the community at USP and ICESP really understands and values that.
Special thanks to Prof. Roger Chammas, Dr. Alexis Germán Murillo Carrasco, Dr. Renata de Freitas Saito, and Dr. Luciana Nogueira de Sousa Andrade, for your support, guidance, and for making this experience so meaningful.
Shubdeep Kaur – Immunology Program
My time at USP in Prof. Roger Chammas’s lab has been one of the most important and formative experiences of my academic journey. In the lab, I had the chance to work on projects that really pushed me to grow. I wasn’t just following instructions; I was encouraged to think, to design, to ask questions, and to troubleshoot when things didn’t work out. I learned quickly that experiments rarely go perfectly the first time, and that persistence, patience, and creativity are just as important as technical skills. What stood out to me about the lab was the way ideas were shared so openly. Discussions were never about who was “right,” but about how we could collectively move the science forward. That atmosphere gave me the confidence to speak up, to share my own perspectives, and to engage with the work more deeply.
The mentorship offered by Dr. Luciana Nogueira de Sousa, my supervisor, and Prof. Roger Chammas, my co-supervisor, was a highlight. They didn’t just guide me technically; they encouraged me to think about the bigger picture, how the biology we were exploring connects to patients, and why our questions matter beyond the bench. I learned that good science isn’t just about producing results; it’s about asking meaningful questions and finding ways to make discoveries useful to others.
Living in São Paulo and studying at USP gave me an entirely new outlook on life. Adapting to a new culture and a new language was challenging, but it also made me more resilient. There were moments of struggle, from navigating everyday life to missing home — but those were the moments that taught me the most. They forced me to step out of my comfort zone, to find my own voice, and to embrace change with openness. I also found joy in the little things: sharing meals, exploring the city, learning Brazilian expressions, and feeling the warmth of the people around me. Most importantly, Brazil is magnificently beautiful.
I became more confident in setting up experiments, analyzing data, and managing projects. But more importantly, I grew into someone who is not afraid of challenges, who sees value in collaboration, and who understands that science is a journey of both success and failure. My time in Brazil gave me perspective; it reminded me that research is not just about isolated discoveries, but about connection: between ideas, between people, and between science and society.
In many ways, USP gave me the skills I need for the future, but also the confidence and motivation to pursue science with purpose. I carry with me not only what I learned in the lab, but also the resilience, friendships, and cultural experiences that came with living in Brazil. For that, I will always be grateful.
