Name: Cristina Martinez Gil
Organisation/Co-ordinator: Erasmus & Faro
Nationality: Spanish
Dates of Visit: 03/10/2003 – 28/08/2004
About
why I came:
I decided to do my final project of my degree in another country
with an Erasmus schoolship. So, my university chose a destiny (Thurso).
Erasmus is a resource that allows the students to finish or follow their
studies in other countries. When I finish this schoolship I started other
one called Faro from the University of Valladolid because I wanted to
expand my knowledge.
I decided to go to Thurso because I wanted to learn English and to know
other cultures, also to know myself.
About
my project & working at the ERI:
I worked on three differents projects:
- Phytoplankton Chemotaxonomy of North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean during June 2002.
- Phytoplankton Chemotaxonomic studies: Mesocosm Bergen 2003 and Antarctic Coastal Waters 1999-2000.
- Antibiotic Production by Surface Associated Marine Bacteria
My supervisors were Stuart Gibb and Kenny Boyd. They supported me in everything and they gave me their help in every moment.
The environment of the ERI was fantastic, I did not have any problem with the people or the installations.
The first months were difficult, the communication among the people because I did not know very well the language but after the situation got better.
About
living in Caithness:
Caithness is a great place to visit and live. I develop different
activities: I travelled around Scotland (Isle of Skye, Orkney, Edinburgh,
Stirling,…..), I learnt to dance Salsa, I played football, I studied
English, and I enjoyed with my friends in pubs, barbecues and meetings.
I did not like the weather, it was raining a lot, foggy and sometimes
winter days were very sad.
About the future:
After my stay in Thurso I looked for a job in Scotland and in
Spain and finally I got a job in Zaragoza (Spain) like engineering. Also
I left in Thurso great friends that I would like to see them very soon.
I learnt to have confidence in myself and to know my personal limits.
In summary, after my stay I knew that I love the research and I be able
to live or work in Scotland or anywhere.
