Embarking on a PhD at Estonian Business School (EBS) is more than just academic research—it is a transformative journey filled with international collaborations, professional growth, and meaningful global impact. In this article, Hira Wajahat Malik shares her experiences from 2024, highlighting her research secondment at Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT) as part of the EU-funded MOCCA project. From developing groundbreaking research on Uzbekistan’s Green Transition to fostering academic exchanges between institutions, her story exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-cultural engagement.