The overseas placement at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in 2019 was a highlight of my 2-year journey. I had the privilege of meeting some of the most distinguished researchers in the field of neuropsychology. I remembered myself marveling at the works of these professors when I was going through the readings after I met them earlier that day. It was really my honor to attend group supervision meetings every week with the professors and psychologist trainees. The in-depth and fruitful discussions allowed me to gain exposure to a variety of clinical profiles and deepened my understanding of the etiologies and risk factors related to neurocognitive disorders. Other than the regular meetings, we took the initiative and reached out to other professors in the faculty for observational and volunteer opportunities. Their doors were always open and all we needed was taking the first step.  One of the inspiring moments for me was participating in the support group for people with mild cognitive impairment. The atmosphere was dynamic. Even the patients were proactive in sharing with fellow group members what they learned about managing their daily lives. Another inspiration for me was the researchers’ dedication to research and application. This experience serves as a reminder that we should embody the role of a scientist-practitioner to better our applied practice. For prospective students: I’m sure you would enjoy California sunshine and Taco Tuesdays as much as I did. But do remember your sunglasses! I hope you’ll have a rewarding experience just like me.

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