A Trip to Cardiff

A few months back-been so busy with the PhD to blog-I took a solo trip to Cardiff in an attempt to get a little more confidence travelling on my own. You see I was soon to embark on a 5 week trip to Austria for a PhD placement but hadn’t really flew anywhere on my own before. I know flying from Glasgow to Cardiff is miles different from living in a foreign country but it was a small test to myself. Turns out solo travelling….I LOVE IT!!

PhD Advice: Going on placement

During the course of a PhD most students will have the opportunity to go on placement in industry or in another academic research facility. The perks of working in a well-established research group with international collaborators means that this placement may well be far outside your little bubble you call home. This can be as exciting as it is daunting and I should know-having just completed a 5 week placement in Austria and as I write this I am sitting in a fairly air-conned office in New Jersey. Considering I have lived and studied in Glasgow my entire life it is fair to say I understand the fear and excitement going on placement can bring so I thought I would draw upon my experiences to share a little advice.
  

Walk to Winterfell, Drink the Guinness and Meet a Leprechaun

After being invited to a wedding in Dublin as a plus one I decided to not waste the opportunity and spend a few days living the tourist lifestyle. I don’t think anyone could leave Dublin without a tour of the famous Guinness Factory, experience the wonderful world of Game of Thrones and meet a leprechaun.

Trip to the States #2 Eat ALL the Food

As you will be aware I recently took an all-expenses paid trip to America. Living in a hotel means having to find food…and I do love food! Had I had more time to plan I would have taken a list of places to go but with the help of the locals we found some amazing restaurants and places to eat. And yes, the portion sizes are as big as they say!

Trip to the States #1 Seeing the Sights

When work offers you the chance to go on a week long course to New Jersey you do not say no to that! Most importantly when you find out your hotel is located a mere 50-minute train journey to NYC, you go!! So off I went! Oh did I mention it was ALL EXPENSES PAID.