Life at the Institute: Fresh Starts and Team Traditions

By Teresa Hübel

After my parental leave, I am happy to be back at the Institute. Diving into research again feels good, and time away has given me a fresh perspective on my projects. Familiar questions suddenly look a little different, and new angles emerge. I have also missed the everyday side of institute life, above all lunch dates with colleagues and spontaneous conversations in the corridor. I am looking forward to picking up where I left off, with fresh energy and new ideas.

And there is plenty to look forward to beyond our research projects, too! At IPE, our regular team events give us the chance to unwind, catch up, and enjoy Vienna from a different perspective.

In July, we swapped our desks for frisbees and headed to the Prater Disc Golf Course for a few hours of outdoor fun. Located along the Prater Hauptallee and surrounded by beautiful greenery, the public course made the perfect setting for a relaxed summer afternoon. Together, we tackled four baskets and quickly discovered that accuracy is harder than it looks!

The weather gave us a small challenge right at the beginning, with a short rain shower interrupting our plans. Luckily, it turned into the perfect excuse to take a break, enjoy some snacks, and wait for the sun to return. Once the rain passed, we were back on the course for plenty of great throws, a few discs landing well off target, and lots of encouragement and laughter.

Whether catching up over lunch, exchanging ideas in the corridor, or trying something new together outdoors, these moments are an important part of life at the Institute. They remind us that building a great team is about more than working together. It is also about sharing experiences, welcoming colleagues back, and creating new memories along the way.

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