Breaking Barriers with EUTOPIA: Laura Gabor's Journey

© Nathan Lindstrom

From tackling fake news in Barcelona to exploring artificial intelligence in Paris, Laura Gabor, a master’s student in Complex Data Analytics at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, has embraced some of the opportunities that EUTOPIA offers across Europe. We spoke with her about her experiences at the EUTOPIA Innovation Challenge and the CY Tech Summer School, and how these international opportunities have shaped her academic journey and outlook.

How did you first hear about EUTOPIA and what made you get involved?

A few years back, during Covid, I was searching for international opportunities. I randomly found the EUTOPIA website and subscribed to the newsletter. Later I saw a post about the Innovation Challenge in Barcelona and thought, why not? So I applied.

The topic was fake news, which really interested me. My background is in psychology, but I’d started moving into data analytics, and this challenge combined both. It was something I had never explored before and this Innovation Challenge sparked my curiosity and felt like the perfect opportunity to try something new.

What did the experience teach you—about misinformation, but also about working internationally?

I learned how easy it is to fall for fake news and how quickly it spreads. It’s not just the responsibility of the people creating it, but also of the people who share it. Both sides play a role.
And on the international side, honestly, I was scared at first. It was my first academic experience abroad, and I worried about my English and my skills, whether I’d be a good fit. But everyone was so welcoming. I realised it wasn’t as hard as I thought.
 

© Maud Simon

You’ve just completed the CY Tech Summer School in France. How did that opportunity come about?

In Barcelona I met other students and EUTOPIA staff, and later I saw the list of summer schools on the EUTOPIA website. I was already planning to travel to Paris this summer, so it felt like perfect timing. And it was one of the few programmes that accepted Master’s students, so I applied.

One of my teachers was amazing, he really supported us, answered all our questions, gave constant feedback. It was intense for me because I come from a social sciences background, and here I was surrounded by students with more technical experience. But everyone encouraged me and helped me adapt. I learned so much in just three weeks.

How would you describe the kind of opportunities EUTOPIA offers students?

Honestly, they’re outstanding. At my university, I haven’t seen anything quite like what EUTOPIA provides. The events are high quality, the people are experts in their fields, and you can see they really care about what they do. It’s not just work for them—they believe in it.

The biggest benefit I gained from these EUTOPIA experiences are the new connections and friendships I’ve made. And also the travel opportunities—like going to Barcelona, which was fully covered for us students. Plus, of course, the expertise from professors and staff.

Before, I was very introverted and a bit scared of this kind of collaboration. I doubted my skills a lot. But I found that working internationally was actually easier than I expected because people were so supportive. It changed how I see myself in those environments.

 

© Maud Simon

What skills or insights will stay with you from these experiences?

I gained more expertise in machine learning and data modelling, which I want to keep pursuing. But also, I learned how to network. Before EUTOPIA, I never really approached new people or started conversations. Now I feel more confident doing that.

I definitely want to pursue a PhD in the future, perhaps even abroad, and EUTOPIA has really opened my mind to those possibilities.

What would you say to another student who’s never heard of EUTOPIA?

I’d say follow them on Instagram, it’s definitely worth it!

Personally, I know that I definitely don’t want my EUTOPIA journey to end here. If there are more opportunities, I’ll apply. I’ve already seen some programmes for researchers that I’d love to try once I do a PhD.

If you had to sum up your EUTOPIA experience in one sentence, what would it be?

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, you don’t want to miss it!
Laura’s journey shows how EUTOPIA connects students to opportunities they might never find on their own—whether it’s tackling pressing global issues or gaining new skills abroad. Her path reflects the alliance’s core mission: empowering students to learn, collaborate, and grow across borders.
 

Interview by Nathan Lindstrom 

If you want to find out more about the Innovation Challenges in Barcelona, visit our article: Unmasking the Truth: EUTOPIA Students Join Forces to Tackle Fake News at the Innovation Challenges Hosted by Pompeu Fabra University - Barcelona