In England with Michele for research

    In England with Michele for research

    When did you go abroad and where?
    I went to Bath (Somerset, Uk) and I've been there twice, the first for 2 months (February-July 6) the second a month between January and February 2008.

    What project did you start with?
    I went as a visiting researcher within my PhD program (Energy, Nuclear and Environmental Control Engineering Department, Bologna).

    How did you find a home?
    The first time through the university, the second time I took a single room in a friend's house in the city center both times.



    Tell us about a typical day Wake up at 8-830 am transfer in uni on foot (not a big city) or by bus (the service from / to uni is efficient). At 9 we start to work and around 5 it comes off ... in the middle we have a lunch break in front of the PC but being in an open space every now and then we took a tea break (if you are not careful at the end of the day you are stoned with tea). After 5 am we move on to the sports facility on the campus (excellently equipped) then go down to the house, dinner, beer and bed. Regarding beer, beware that pubs close at infamous times (23pm).

    Like the city? did you settle in immediately?
    The city is very beautiful, small and well-kept, you quickly get used to it. The city is home to two universities and is full of young people and very safe.

    They paid you for research, how did you support yourself?
    I had the PhD scholarship which is increased every time you stay abroad. The first time I also enjoyed the Marco Polo scholarship which is an initiative of the University of Bologna. The second time I was paid for accommodation and travel from my host facility.
    In England with Michele for research



    The hardest thing in Bath?
    Personally, I did not have a good knowledge of the English language, the impact with native speakers was not easy

    The easiest thing abroad?
    Find Italians

    A city party you've been to to recommend?
    The roman party which takes place on the first Saturday of April. They are all around in togas (despite the cold) jumping from one pub to another and from one disco to another.

    A typical dish to recommend?
    Full English Breakfast and English beers, if you like beer, are a real find.

    A place to recommend or a nightclub?
    The porter, a nice place (disco pub) with a good movement. In any case it is a city full of pubs and clubs, you just have to try it.


    The most expensive thing abroad?
    Fruits and vegetables for sure and if you are not awake the train too Awake in the sense that if you want to travel at an acceptable price, you have to book well in advance, otherwise there are stones on your back.

    The cheapest thing in Bath?
    Hitech material and beer
    In England with Michele for research
    A positive thing about the experience?
    But… there are many, from the people I met to new friendships to professional growth and the knowledge of a culture relatively different from mine.


    A bad thing about the experience?
    A summer with bad weather

    Would you recommend your experience to a friend or would you do it again?
    I absolutely recommend it and I will do it again (always if I have the chance). Living alone in a foreign country allows you to grow from many points of view and allows you to see your country and the people who live there under different eyes.

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