Why did you choose this institution?
I saw the stay as a good opportunity to gain academic inspiration, meet other researchers and PhD candidates, and get to know people from different academic fields and countries. I had also previously spent time at UDC and had a very positive experience there, so it felt natural to take part when this opportunity arose.
What have you learned and done during your stay?
I took part in the academic programme, which offered a good mix of academic and more career-oriented activities. Among other things, we had presentations from various companies and university partners, which gave us insight into career opportunities outside academia. There were also academic workshops, including one on what to consider when developing and writing applications for research projects.
In addition, there were good opportunities to get to know the other participants and discuss research and experiences across different academic fields and countries. We also had the opportunity to experience local culture, including the San Juan celebrations (Noite de San Xoán), which can be compared to the Norwegian Midsummer celebration, with bonfires and festivities on the beach. This was a very enjoyable cultural experience and added an extra dimension to the stay.
Is there anything you would like to bring back to INN after your stay?
My main takeaway is that mobility programmes like this provide an excellent opportunity for both academic development and networking. I believe that more Norwegian PhD candidates and researchers should make use of such opportunities. There were relatively few participants this time, particularly compared with previous stays I have had at the same institution. I therefore think it could be useful to raise greater awareness of these opportunities at INN and encourage more people to take part.