Currently in her fourth semester of the Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology bachelor degree programme at IMC Krems, Sara Barta has already carved out an impressive academic and personal trajectory that spans multiple countries and cultures.
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From competitive swimming to cutting-edge research: Sara Barta’s journey from Hungary to Harvard
Raised in a small town in Hungary, Sara’s early interests in Mathematics and Biology were paired with her dedication to competitive swimming. Travelling for competitions gave her a taste for international experiences early on, something that would shape her future academic decisions.
Studying the Scandinavian Way
This past semester, Sara spent her exchange term at Linköping University in Sweden. Her decision was driven by the university’s strong academic reputation and its vibrant international community. What she found there was a refreshing approach to learning: “The university’s teaching style is academically rigorous and encourages collaboration among students through hands-on projects,” she shares.
One of the highlights was a group project in the Pathology and Disease Models course, where students tackled a medical case study together. “One of my favourite experiences was working on a medical case study in a group as part of our Pathology and Disease Models course, where we had to brainstorm different approaches and solutions, this really highlighted the power of teamwork, diverse perspectives and also improved our communication skills,” says Sara.
Student life
Outside of the classroom, she immersed herself in student life and made the most of her time in Sweden. “There was never a dull moment, between international dinner nights, bowling, pub crawls, sports events and running clubs, it was easy to connect with people from all over the world and make lasting memories, even during a short stay,” she recalls.
Next stop: Harvard University
Sara’s next chapter is one that fills us with pride: she will be continuing her academic journey at Harvard University. In the Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, she will be taking over a research project initiated by fellow IMC Krems students. The focus is on investigating the roles of GDF8 and GDF11 in heart conditions such as atrial fibrosis and myocardial infarction, using mouse models. It is an ambitious step forward and a testament to Sara’s dedication and the strong foundation built here at IMC Krems.
Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology bachelor degree programme