[PORTRAIT] Enkhtuul Batbold, PhD student at the Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1

Why did you choose Université de Lyon for your studies/research?

I chose Université de Lyon because I learned back home that it had a renowned research potential and multiple disciplinary scientific laboratories, one of which is mine called Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL). The reason I chose the Université De Lyon is related to my background as a hepatologist, and my professor Fabien Zoulim is also very renowned. The translational research in this field is performed very well at the Inserm 1052 and the Lyon Civic Hospitals [“Hospices Civils de Lyon”] and it impressed me a lot, so I chose to come to Université de Lyon, and my laboratory also has very well-experienced and international researchers.

How have you heard of Espace Ulys and why did you ask us for help?

I heard from my lab colleagues, and I think that the first one who told me was my secretary and my supervisor Birke Bartosch supported me to write to Espace Ulys. At that time, I had a student residence permit and I had to change my status to scientist researcher [“Passeport talent chercheur”] to be able to stay with my family in France. My supervisor and professor helped me a lot with the documentation and Espace Ulys provided me through all the steps with the necessary information and they responded to my mails very quickly and guided me without any delay nor problem. Espace Ulys also helped us get the documents [necessary to get the “passport talent” status] by contacting the prefecture during very time sensitive situations.

In your opinion, what are the advantages for international PhD students and researchers to registering to Espace Ulys?

It is not easy to adapt in a new country, especially since the administrative process can be very time consuming and problematic, and Espace Ulys made everything clear and easy through all the steps, so I definitely recommend it to people who do not know where to ask.

What would be your advice to new international researchers / PhD students arriving in Lyon?

A new country and language help us look through a broader lens and it enriches our mentality, and in this sense, Lyon has a lot of historical and artistic places like the amphitheater that I really liked. I also received several emails from my secretariat about events organized by my university for international students [Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1] which can really help with networking and having many memorable moments with other international students.

You came to Lyon with your husband and child, so how was your installation process like?

At first, it was very problematic to find an apartment since the ones that Espace Ulys could provide [through CROUS] are not suitable for families. I was looking for an apartment in Lyon for 3 months and at the end we found one in Saint-Priest, so we got lucky. It was easier to find something outside of the city.

What according to you symbolizes Lyon?

When I was still in Mongolia, I saw the fountain of Jacobins [a statue of four famous local artists] online, and the picture I saw was covered by roses. I have not seen it yet with roses, but I am looking forward to it. For me, that fountain is what symbolizes Lyon.


Photo credit - Université de Lyon