PhD on Pause - Part Two
In case you missed my post last month, I am currently taking a break from my PhD. I’m currently in Hamburg at the Institut für Meereskunde on a three month placement. Using photos and short reflections I am documenting my experiences.
To find out more, scroll down…
// Week 5 //
The recent long weekend was a great opportunity for me to visit Bremen and spent time reconnecting with friends I made while I was studying there. It's amazing that even though its been 5 years since I was there last (thanks to the travelling hiatus we all had) I felt very much at home.
Progress on the project feels slower this week. I'm at the stage of sorting and tidying the data which takes time. The perks are that once it's done it'll be much easier for anyone else to use and analyse in the future, so a very worthwhile pursuit despite the slow pace.
Today marks World Ocean Day. This is a particularly special day for me as I am fascinated by our planet's watery environment.
It's definitely my happy place, where I go to relax and refresh. I have been so fortunate to explore many places few will get to see in person from the paradise beaches of Palawan to stunning Greenland and Norwegian fjords and the breathtaking icescapes and sculptures of the Southern Ocean and Nordic Seas.
However, this wonder needs our help. Covering over 70% of the planet's surface, it is warming and absorbing much of the carbon dioxide we are producing. These changes are not far away but already impact millions living around the coast. I am grateful to be able to research a tiny topic of how we can continue to protect large coastal cities from flooding. I am also excited to say that my first paper has been published. Click here to find out more.
// Week 6 //
As I document my time here in Germany, I feel I have to be honest with my experiences. Last week started difficulty as feelings of homesickness and missing family and friends kicked in. It's amazing though how technology is able to bridge the distance and time difference.
The beautiful weather we've got at the moment really helps and I've been spending my free time exploring more of the city. This time I ventured to Blankenese a district described by some as the Beverly Hills of Hamburg. Large while villas overlook the river Elbe and in the sun it was pretty lush.
Sunday brought the IRONMAN European Championship to the city and I went to the city centre to catch some of the atmosphere. I managed to see the end of the running leg and even saw the first German professional athlete who finished 4th overall run past. It was pretty awesome to see so many cheering and encouraging the tough athletes most of whom were swimming, cycling and running for over 8 hours to complete the course. Pretty incredible but not something I think I'd ever be able to do.
// Week 7 //
Travemünde | Lübeck | Stade
This week I've being doing some more exploring. I visited the nearby city Stade and I even made it to the coast. I'm really enjoying venturing new places and exploring the sites.
I'd say that Lübeck had been my favourite city so far. Almost in every direction you look there are beautiful streets, houses or views. The warm weather makes a big difference too.
// Week 8 //
It feels like my perspective has shifted, now rather than counting up the number of weeks I have been here. I am counting down until I have to leave. Maybe that has something to do with being over halfway though my placement. It's already a sad thought that I'll have to say goodbye in a little while to the people I've met and the friends I've made. Here's me hoping for an opportunity to come back again at some point.
I'm still exploring the city and this weekend with the visit of my other half we ventured onto the Elbe and experienced a harbour tour. I have never been so close to such large shipping containers before. The pictures don't really do justice to the shear scale of these vessels and the vast number of containers they have onboard. The job of loading and unloading looks like a huge logistical task. The vehicles used to transport the containers are pretty cool to watch too. I was so fascinated by them I didn't take any pictures. You might also be able to tell that I like photographing the cranes used to unload the container ships. I get the impression that they look like giraffes ;) You might also notice another snap of the Elbphilharmonie, this time standing out against a greyer background.
In terms of the project I am enjoying diving deeper into the topic and learning so much about the circulation (that's the way the water moves) around Greenland and Iceland. I am fascinated how many factors influence the water, this makes it complicated but also much more fun to puzzle out. I'm now looking forward to the weekend catching up with friends from my undergrad days.
// Week 9 //
This weekend my exploring took me to Kiel and I was fortunate to catch the final weekend of the Kieler Woche. This is a week long sailing event with great celebration and attractions spread throughout the city. I loved seeing so many different things on offer ranging from food and drink to music and culture. I even earned myself a Kieler Woche bachelor from the Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel for taking part in their events. Two days wasn’t long enough to take it all in. I think I need to come back another year to venture further and see more of the events and festivities.
The absolute highlight of my week was watching Polarnickzi (Ant/Artic Women) by Kuba Witek and Daga Bozek. This film tells the stories of five incredible Polish women who pioneered polar research in the Arctic and Antarctica. I am also immensely grateful for the opportunity to join a panel discussion after the film, to share my experiences as a female polar researcher.
