To better picture the post-graduate student lifestyle for anyone considering this path, we asked the STARSTEM early-stage researchers (ESRs) to provide a snapshot of their plans and summer 2021 frame of mind.
Until now I am still at work, but I am waiting to start my summer holiday.
I like summertime so much because I can spend a lot of time with my family and my boyfriend. We cannot see each other too much during the year because I work in Liguria, and they live in Tuscany.
Unfortunately, also this year we cannot go out of Italy due to the Covid-19 restrictions. So, my boyfriend and I booked a week in Rimini, to spend a lot of time lying on the beach relaxing.
Dr Marta Nardini, Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa
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Life as an early-stage researcher these days is certainly different to how it usually would be. I think for all of us we have been focusing heavily on catching up on the time we missed out on in the lab. Summer, however, is typically a quieter time and so the best opportunity to make time for some holidays or time off to be spent with family and friends. Because travel has been prohibited this year until now, my friends and I have made sure to plan plenty of trips and things to do here in Ireland. Most of these involve site seeing and exploring our local county of Mayo, as well as delving in some new sports such as kayaking. As students in NUI Galway, we are also lucky to have Salthill for the occasional swim, weather permitting!
Niamh Duffy, NUI Galway
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My summer vacation has just started! I am super happy, because I am leaving [Genoa] and I will finally go to see my family, who I have not seen for over a year due to the Covid restrictions. I will spend my holidays in my hometown, in Salento, enjoying the sea, the sun and the crystalline beaches. I can also hug my childhood friends again and spend some time with them. A bit of relaxation after a long year of work in the lab!
Dr Elisabetta Palamà, Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa