Episode 9: Robin from England

About this episode

Robin shares his unexpected journey from the UK to Prague, discussing his PhD experience and life as a foreigner in Czech academia.

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

People in this episode

Guest: Robin

Topics covered

• foreign talent in Czech academia
• PhD research
• PhD funding in Czech Republic
• Czech work culture
• building a life in Prague
• making friends abroad
• community through hobbies
• dating during lockdown

Keywords

• Prague
• UK
• PhD
• Brexit
• COVID
• community
• hobbies

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: PhD

Places: England, UK, Prague, Czech Republic

More episodes of Xuxu - The Prague Expat Podcast

• S2: Episode 1 - Charlanne from USA · April 1, 2026 · 33 min
• Episode 12: Closing season 1 with Xuxu · February 28, 2026 · 43 min
• Episode 11: Constantine from Greece · January 31, 2026 · 38 min
• Episode 10: Maria from Ukraine · December 31, 2025 · 31 min
• Episode 8: Anaïs - "I was 2 when I moved to Prague". · October 31, 2025 · 29 min
• Episode 7 : Giza from Turkey · September 30, 2025 · 49 min