Erasmus+ Internship at the University of the Azores

<!-- wp:divi/text {"module":{"decoration":{"layout":{"desktop":{"value":{"display":"block"}}}}},"content":{"innerContent":{"desktop":{"value":"\u003cstrong\u003ePlanning of the Internship\u003c/strong\u003e\r\nStarting my BSc in Biology at the University of Bremen, I was keen to supplement the knowledge acquired in university courses with practical research experience. When I discovered that external internships could be integrated into my bachelor’s program, I planned to undertake one or more, even though it meant prolonging my studies. Since my main area of interest is coral reef research, I wanted to dive into the fascinating ecosystem of cold-water corals (CWC).\r\n\r\nThe OKEANOS institute at the University of the Azores has a strong focus on deep-sea research and is perfectly located on Faial Island, where the surrounding waters drop down to 3,000 meters. The Azores Exclusive Economic Zone harbours large CWC ecosystems, which allows for regular coral sampling by researchers at OKEANOS.\r\n\r\nThe research of my supervisor focuses on the impacts of fisheries and the prospective effects of deep-sea mining on CWCs. I found her research especially interesting as it aims to guide sustainable marine resource use and the designation of marine protected areas, while including close collaboration with local fishers. When I contacted her to express my interest, she replied quickly and positively, and my very good impression was confirmed during a short meeting where we discussed project details.\r\n\r\nIt took me a while to collect all the necessary documents for the ERASMUS+ application, but once everything was submitted, the process went smoothly. I was also able to secure a place at the local student accommodation for the time of my stay.\r\n\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eArrival and First Days\u003c/strong\u003e\r\nIn the student accommodation, I shared a flat with two others, which was a great opportunity to connect with fellow interns from the beginning. On my first day, I had a meeting with my supervisor, who introduced me to the lab team. Everyone was very friendly and made the work environment enjoyable from the start.\r\n\r\nDuring the internship, I learned a lot about flow-through aquarium systems and how to handle CWCs. The main part of my internship focused on a simulated deep-sea mining stress experiment, where I conducted respiration measurements and prepared a scientific report based on the collected data.\r\n\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFree Time Endeavors\u003c/strong\u003e\r\nIn my spare time, I went hiking frequently. The Azores are volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, which results in mild winters and high humidity. This makes them green paradises with diverse vegetation and beautiful rocky coastlines (fig. 1).\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nFigure 1: Volcano of Ilha do Pico, coastline of São Jorge, caldera of Ilha do Faial and murey in shallow water.\r\n\r\nTo get around the islands, I was told that hitchhiking is relatively safe. I had never hitchhiked before and felt a bit unsure about it at first. But after giving it a try, I found that with an open mindset and some flexibility, it’s not only a reliable way to travel, but also a great way to meet and talk to locals. My Portuguese is very basic, so my conversations were limited to the English level of the people I met, which turned out to be surprisingly high.\r\n\r\nBesides hiking, I also went snorkeling regularly (fig. 1). My workplace was right next to the sea, so it was easy to go for a swim during lunch breaks or after work. My internship started in the winter months, so the water was still quite cold, but that didn’t stop me. Due to nutrient upwelling, the surrounding waters of the Azores have an impressive abundance of fish. In some diving spots, you can even see black corals - this was a personal highlight for me, as these CWCs usually occur in the deep sea and only rarely in shallow waters.\r\n\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eOverall Impression\u003c/strong\u003e\r\nTo sum up, my internship at the University of the Azores was an incredible experience that went beyond my expectations. I gained valuable research skills and worked in a very welcoming and supportive environment. Outside of work, I enjoyed the beautiful nature and unique atmosphere of the islands. I can highly recommend this kind of internship experience to anyone interested in marine research and looking for a friendly and inspiring place to grow, both professionally and personally.\r\n\r\n\u0026nbsp;\r\n\r\n "}}},"builderVersion":"5.0.0-public-beta.1"} /-->