My name is Boris Lambrev. I applied for a scholarship in August 2015. I had already been living in the St-Justin hostel in Fribourg for three years while studying at the University of Fribourg. But the master‘s degree I wanted could only be done in Geneva. So I needed accommodation and help. The Œuvre St-Justin agreed to give me a room in the Geneva hostel, as well as a full scholarship, which I applied for a little later.

I was very excited about my move to Geneva because one chapter of my student life had been completed and a new one was about to begin. I wanted to do this second master‘s in neuroscience because I‘m very interested in how the brain works. The psychology I had studied didn‘t give me a satisfactory explanation. After three years in Geneva, I successfully defended my neuroscience work on the effect of sleep deprivation on attention and attention-related brain waves on 28 January 2019.

During those three years, I was a full scholarship holder. In return, I helped to keep the hostel running smoothly. The tasks were fairly easy and didn‘t interfere with my studies. I manned the reception desk once or twice a week, I looked after the telephone so that residents could call in an emergency, I took out the rubbish bins on Sundays, I helped with the recycling and I closed the terrace in the evenings. I also helped out at various events at the home.

I was very happy with my stay, because I was living in a very beautiful city, in a pleasant location, which enabled me to study at a university known the world over. I was also happy to take part in the life of the host family. I made some very good friendships with young people from all over the world, which I hope to keep for life. Œuvre St-Justin also funded my stay in Amsterdam where I went to a conference on sleep. An incredible opportunity, given that the conference focused on the subject of my work with some very renowned professionals in the field of neuroscience. To thank the Œuvre I organised a presentation on sleep at the home.

I am extremely grateful to Œuvre St-Justin. I hope to keep the links I have established in Switzerland with the people in charge and the people at the Charity.

Boris Lambrev