I was 20, but it was the first time I'd ever been to Boston.
Kirsty, Paul and another student from England.
Had just arrived at Logan airport.
They were about to embark on a new adventure, living in a new city, working with a very important Harvard professor.
We stepped off the plane still a little bit Jack, lad, very disorientated.
Going up to this prestigious academic institute that's famous all over the world.
Kirstie could think of only one thing to keep her nervousness in check.
She had corresponded with a graduate student, Maureen Brinkworth.
And Maureen was to be her supervisor and her mentor.
Maureen was also going to be Kirstie's lifeline, someone who would help her navigate not just the halls of Harvard, but the streets of Boston.
So we stumbled to the place where she said she was going to be.
So she said she'll be in Harvard Square opposite a certain restaurant.
And so we find it and then we see her and we're just so nervous.
But she just.
Maureen just had this massive big smile and she just kind of puts you at ease straight away.
And she was like, I'm so excited to meet you, you know, welcome.
Like.
And then she took us around and.
With that, the ice was broken.
Over the next few months, Maureen became.