In this episode of Xuxu Podcast, we welcome Robin, who takes us through his unexpected journey from the UK to Prague — starting with a fully-funded interview trip for a PhD that changed everything.

Robin shares the story of arriving in Prague for the first time, discovering the city’s open spaces, forests, and hidden corners, and how a simple Twitter post spotted by his dad ended up shaping the next five years of his life.

We talk about:
🌍 What it’s like to be “foreign talent” in Czech academia
🔬 His PhD research — from genetic mutations linked to ALS and epilepsy to early-stage drug development
💸 The surprisingly chaotic reality of PhD funding in Czech Republic
🚧 Moving labs, navigating Brexit and COVID, and adapting to Czech work culture
🌞 Why he left the UK, and how long it really takes to build a life in Prague
🤝 Making (and losing) friends abroad, finding community through hobbies, and dating through lockdown