I am Federica Perazzotti, I am attending the second year of PhD in Sustainable Development and Climate Change. I focus my study in Past Climate Change fluctuations, in particular reconstructing the Last Interglacial period events of some k-areas comprised between Lat 44° and 34° over the Mediterranean area using methodology as Luminescence dating, sedimentological study and marine fossils classifications (micro and macro fauna). I casually discovered this PhD some days after my master degree and I was immediately very interested in this innovative and multidisciplinary PhD.
My host university is Sassari (Sardinia, Italy). For my first part of my period abroad I spent three months in Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Islands,Spain). The choice of this area involved a preliminary analysis in order to understand the opportunities it could offer me in terms of geological outcrops characterizing the time period of interest for my PhD thesis.
As soon as I arrived, I had a very positive impression of my supervisor and the research team. They immediately integrated me and made me feel part of the team. It is a multidisciplinary team that includes several people, professors, researchers and PhD students. The team is characterized by a balanced gender presence and the members come from different parts of Spain.
About adversity of course, like any new experience, there can be complicated situations to deal with. It is about becoming part of a new reality outside one's comfort zone. However I have to admit that I have a rather developed adaptability, so I have not been affected by this problem and I feel very privileged to have met people who have enriched not only my personal background but also, and more importantly, a life experience like this. As for the administrative paperwork, unfortunately it takes some time for it to be accepted, so I recommend those who will be coming after me to do it a little in advance.
As for my future plans at the end of this experience, I will return to Italy with a greater awareness of my capabilities. Without any doubt, these months have enriched me both professionally and on a personal level. A synergy and an exchange of knowledge and expertise on both sides was created (e.g. Analysis techniques, interpretations of data, preparation of scientific articles).
I have been lucky to meet people from all corners of the world. I have been able to engage with them, with different cultures and customs. In my free time I visited the beaches, the hinterland, I participated in city events, seminars, cultural processions and much more.
It was a mind-opening experience and I strongly believe I want to come back and finish the last three months. For my research, I think this island can offer me a lot and can enrich my knowledge.