Imke Rhoden: Balancing Research, Big City Life, and Kimchi
A research stay abroad is about far more than just a change of scenery or a different desk. It opens up entirely new professional, cultural, and personal perspectives. For Dr. Imke Rhoden, head of the "Spatial Economics" team at the Institute Jülich System Analysis (ICE-2) at Forschungszentrum Jülich, her time in South Korea was exactly that: an enriching experience that deeply shaped both her research and her daily life.
From Jülich to Seoul
Imke’s decision to launch her scientific career at Forschungszentrum Jülich was a deliberate one. She was particularly drawn to the combination of technical excellence and interdisciplinary research. "Since I’ve always been passionate about technology and applied research, working on systems analysis in Jülich offered me the perfect opportunity to help scientifically shape the energy transition, one of the most critical issues of our time," she explains.
In early 2026, her journey took her to South Korea for a research fellowship. The groundwork for this move started long before her departure. Two years in advance, she began establishing contacts with her host institution, the Korea Environment Institute (KEI), networking at conferences, and mentally preparing for the cultural differences. Being well-prepared opens doors. For example, Imke has been learning Korean for a while now. The fact that she wasn‘t fluent didn‘t lessen the positive impact. On the contrary: her efforts to speak the language were seen as a major sign of respect. It didn't just lower the language barrier; it acted as a instant icebreaker, as people immediately felt her appreciation for their culture.
Research at the Intersection of Economics and the Energy Transition
Scientifically, Imke tackles one of the central questions of our generation: How can economic development and climate targets be harmonized? Together with her team, she analyzes how energy transition processes impact different regions and economic structures. "Our goal is to provide science and policy with sound, data-driven strategies for global change," she explains.
What she finds particularly fascinating is the ability to mathematically model complex economic relationships and derive concrete policy recommendations from them.
Her stay in South Korea significantly broadened her scientific horizons, not least because the research priorities there differ noticeably from those in Germany. While Germany already boasts a high share of renewable energy in its energy grid, South Korea is still in the early stages of rolling it out. The country faces unique challenges due to its geography and infrastructure: with its mountainous terrain and isolated grid structure, South Korea is effectively an "energy island." Furthermore, the heavy economic concentration around the Greater Seoul Area presents entirely different opportunities and challenges compared to Germany’s relatively decentralized structure.
The insights into these contrasting framework conditions and policy approaches gave Imke fresh perspectives on issues like the coal phase-out and regional structural policy, knowledge she is now bringing back to her research at Jülich.
A Shift in Perspective with Long-Term Impact
For Imke, international exchange is an essential ingredient of excellent science. "Spending time in such a different culture is like is like a spring cleaning for your mind," she says. It forces you to question familiar thinking patterns and re-evaluate things you previously took for granted.
Of course, managing a research stay while continuing to lead a team back home is a demanding balancing act. On top of that, the cultural differences, despite all the preparation, take some getting used to at first. Yet, it is precisely these challenges that foster personal and professional growth.
Furthermore, the young scientist is convinced that working abroad benefits early-career researchers and established scientists alike. Stepping out of your comfort zone not only introduces you to new methods and perspectives, but also teaches you how to build international networks and hold your own in different academic systems. These experiences are invaluable in today's globally interconnected scientific landscape, whether the stay lasts a few weeks or several months.
Leap of Faith: Thinking Outside the Box
For young researchers aiming for a career in STEM fields, Imke has some straightforward advice: "Just go for it! True progress usually happens outside your comfort zone," especially for those who don’t see themselves fitting into traditional role profiles.
Her conclusion on gaining experience abroad is just as clear: "Seize the opportunity to go abroad. The expansion of your horizons is priceless."
And Imke can highly recommend looking beyond your own horizon in a culinary sense, too. "Korean culture definitely goes through the stomach," she says with a smile. Her personal favorites include street food like Hotteok (sweet pancakes filled with brown sugar and nuts) or Tteokbokki, as well as classics like Gimbap, Kimchi-jjigae (kimchi stew), or Manduguk (dumpling soup).
Despite her intensive workload, she made sure to find time to explore South Korea, discovering not only the country’s diverse cuisine but also its culture and nature. She was particularly moved by the warmth and deep-rooted culture of hospitality in South Korea.
In her free time, she explored Seoul and embraced the Korean national pastime: hiking. While she preferred to avoid overly rugged climbs, she was still regularly overtaken by enviably fit senior citizens, who glided past her with an ease that made it look as though gravity didn't exist.
The necessary fuel for these treks - and for navigating the urban jungle - was provided by South Korea's unofficial national drink: the Iced Americano. True to the local motto "ice-cold works anytime," a cup filled with ice cubes is a constant companion in South Korea, even in the depths of a freezing -15 °C winter.
To learn more about Imke and her research, visit the institute's website:
https://www.fz-juelich.de/profile/rhoden_i
https://www.fz-juelich.de/de/ice/ice-2