Shane Lubold is a 2017-2018 American Fulbright student researcher to the University of Luxembourg in Esch-sur-Alzette. A recent graduate of Arizona State University, Shane spent the year researching in the university’s mathematics department. Below, Shane describes a typical day as a Fulbright student researcher.
As Fulbright research grantee in Luxembourg, working with Ivan Nourdin in the math department at the University of Luxembourg, most of my days are spent on or near the campus in Belval, in the southwest part of Luxembourg. Before going to work, I usually start my mornings with a pastry and a coffee from my favorite café, La Fournée Luxembourgeoise!
After that I take the bus into campus, where I have an office in the math department. Most days, I tend to divide my time between reading papers, talking with Ivan or others in the department, and writing code or trying to prove statements Ivan and I have talked about. My project focuses on using Mallivian Stein techniques to understand quantitative central limit theorems for particular types of random variables, known as Multiple Wiener-Itô integrals. My days are also occasionally interrupted by classes (I’m currently taking one with Ivan on Mallivian Stein methods), constant coffee breaks at the Golden Bean coffee shop on campus, and seminars organized by the math department. I have also really enjoyed the general-audience lectures given at the university that deal with non-probability related math research. Last week, for example, they gave an interesting talk on prime numbers and their applications!
For the past nine months I have lived in university housing in Esch-sur-Alzette, and while the town may seem small, there are plenty of great restaurants, cafés, and other attractions to keep my busy. I have found that the best way to explore Esch-sur-Alzette is by running. In particular my favorite area is the forested area that overlooks the town – there is the Escher Déierepark, which is a park home to many deer, goats, and rabbits, as well as running trails with great views of the town.
When I return to the U.S., I will continue to use the skills I developed here in Luxembourg. Being an active member of the math department at the University of Luxembourg allowed me to further home my skills as a researcher and provided me with the opportunity to explore a research topic I had never interacted with before. I also had the chance to improve my French as well as learn a few words of Luxembourgish! In September I will begin my PhD in statistics at the University of Washington, and I am looking forward to this exciting opportunity.
The opportunities available for Fulbright researchers are invaluable to anyone considering a career in research or academia, and the cultural opportunities have broadened my horizons and given me the chance to interact with Luxembourgish culture. I urge anyone interested in Fulbright to apply to this amazing experience!
Articles are written by Fulbright grantees and do not reflect the opinions of the Fulbright Commission, the grantees’ host institutions, or the U.S. Department of State.