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Name: Francisca Leite
Year of Birth: 1974
Place of birth: Évora, Portugal
City of residence: Cambridge, MA
Years in the US: 7.5
Personal webpage: www.mit.edu/~fpl
Undergraduate Degree: Licenciatura in Physics and Engineering, IST
Post-graduate Degree:PhD in Medical Physics, MIT
Current professional status: Post doctoral researcher
Research interests: Medical imaging
Best career achievement: Surviving the PhD… |
To be or not to be an immigrant in the US
What brought you to the USA?
The opportunity to study and do cutting edge research in a world wide leading university. I was also extremely curious about the country, the people, and wanted to experience living in a multi-cultural environment.
Name the three most valuable lessons you have learned in this country (at work or not).
If you think positively, you can do anything you set up to do. There are no stupid questions. No pain no gain.
Are you planning to go back to Portugal? Why/Why not?
Yes. I had this amazing opportunity to come to the States, where I learned so much, and I feel I have the responsibility to contribute to my country’s development, hopefully in the field of education. In addition, I miss my family, my friends, the afternoons spent at the beach, and the sun setting on the ocean.
What conditions (other than salary) do you have here that you do not have in Portugal?
In my research center alone we have better MRI scanners than in most European countries, and I am surrounded by a large number of extremely bright, proactive, and motivated people, always willing to establish valuable collaborations, to help, and appreciate the success of colleagues.
What do you think Portugal is still better at?
Portugal has a lot to offer: amazing cuisine, great wines, a culture influenced by centuries of rich history, a marvellous weather, warm and friendly people, and plenty of growth opportunities.
What would you like to see changed in the Portuguese educational system?
I would like to see a system based on a culture of meritocracy, where people are proud of the institutions they work at, team work is valued and people are not too self centered.
The daily life in the US
| Favourite news from Portugal: |
www.publico.pt
www.dn.pt
my father! |
| Favourite Website/Blog: |
www.wikipedia.org
www.oxigenio.fm |
| Ideal weekend program in your city: |
During the winter, drive 1.5 hours NW to go skiing. Year round, have brunch at the Paramount in Charles Street, walk across the Commons and down Newbury Street, especially beautiful that one week in the Spring when the magnolias are blooming. If frostbite is not an issue, go rollerblading at the Esplanade, or sailing on the Charles River. At night, have dinner at the Green Street Grill, go out dancing to Middlesex, and end the night at a friend's house, talking until the first hours of dawn. |
| Portuguese neighbourhood: |
Cambridge Street
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