'It's great how our research is aligned with what society needs'

Sohrab Pahlavan grew up in the busy streets of Mashhad, Iran, where he first discovered his passion for materials science, and later green energy technologies. A PhD research opportunity drew him to Leuven, where is currently working for imec in collaboration with KU Leuven. This article will take you on a short trip down (Sohrab’s) memory lane and show you how he lives his life in Belgium and what his experiences here are, going from sharing his national delicacies to the change in mindset and finally the challenges and opportunities he encountered along the way.

Life in Iran and moving to Belgium

Growing up in Mashhad, Iran, Sohrab Pahlavan spent most of his days with the same or similar traditions Europeans have. After a full day of school, he went to visit his grandmother and played with his friends or took some language or calligraphy classes.

After completing a bachelor's and master’s degree in materials science at the Iran Ferdowsi University in his hometown Mashhad, he applied for PhD positions. Sohrab’s aim was to work at companies in which he would be able to study green energy technologies, motivated by the positive impact they can have on our environment and society. Those were the attractive factors imec offered. Another benefit was the prime location of Leuven, in the heart of Europe, making it the perfect starting place to explore the subcontinent’s finest.

After getting accepted at imec and KU Leuven in November of 2021, Sohrab booked a one-way ticket to Brussels, and then a one-way train ticket to Leuven, where he is currently cohousing with Belgian as well as other international students.

Home sweet home

He doesn’t really experience homesickness, as video calls instantly bring him back to the livelihood of his childhood home. Besides, after going on holiday to Rotterdam during the Christmas break and driving back to Belgium, he experienced a sense of relief as he crossed the border and entered Leuven, saying “home sweet home”, so it seems Leuven has already established itself as a home in Sohrab’s heart.

“If I could choose any place in the world, it would have to be someplace calm, as I am a rather introverted person,” Sohrab answered when dwelling on where he would most like to live. That’s what he enjoys so much about Leuven and its ancient buildings and cobblestone roads along the Dijle river. The city makes you feel safe in a heartbeat. However, sometimes Sohrab craves the crowds and busyness of the city, as life was in Mashhad. Whenever this nostalgia kicks in, fortunately, it’s only a 30-minute train ride to the bustle of Brussels.

Delicacies here and there

Upon arrival in Leuven, Sohrab felt a bit like a food newbie. Luckily, after figuring out how to combine recipes he found online with his mother’s cuisine, he quickly found a way to bring his own Iranian and Persian dishes to the table. His favorites are Fesenjan and Qorme Sabzi, stews with lamb, steamed greens, nuts, and lots of saffron.

Sohrab’s overall experience with Belgians, when not at work, is that they’re kind of timid people, like Iranians.

As one could imagine Belgian food tasting somewhat bland compared to the wealth of spices that can be found in Sohrab’s national cuisine, you would be surprised to learn he quite enjoys the dishes of the lowlands, especially the abundance of chocolate during Easter, vol-au-vent and Flemish stew. Even more so, he is planning on introducing the food to his Iranian friends. But he also enjoys doing things the other way around, introducing Iranian food and culture to his co-workers. This happens on the 21st of March, the spring equinox, which announces Nowruz. Sohrab then proudly puts out a richly laid table full of his national delicacies and counts down to the new Persian New Year with his friends in Belgium. 

The Belgian mindset

Sohrab’s overall experience with Belgians, when not at work, is that they’re kind of timid people, like Iranians. They tend to sugarcoat their message and care not to offend anyone.

In the office, on the other hand, experience tells Sohrab Belgians are much more straightforward. When discussing a topic in a meeting, for example, he finds it easy to grasp the core of the message. This efficiency could also be a trait that characterizes the imec mentality rather than being something typically Belgian. Other than that, he enjoys the proximity between employee and superior, whereas in Iran the interaction between those two is more a case of one-way communication.

Challenges and opportunities

The hardest parts about moving to Belgium for Sohrab were figuring out a way to approach people and make small talk, especially in an unfamiliar language, and adapting to a new culture.

These difficulties are relative, though, considering the opportunities he was offered. Working in an international team with people from across the world, he is glad to be getting an ever-broadening perspective on lots of things, but especially on life. Adding to that, he loves how the research in Belgium is aligned with what society needs, like the green energy technologies he is currently developing.

To conclude, Sohrab suggests some measures we could implement in our daily lives to help and make future integration easier for newcomers. It would be a good idea to give an introductory meeting to all staff about the new employee and offer everyone a chance to get to know them, as well as remind people to talk a tad slower.