Well my master's graduation from Utrecht University has come and gone. My father was able to fly over for a few days and experience his first time in mainland Europe! Of course I did put him on a bike and ride all around Utrecht, even in his nice suit. Graduation in the Netherlands is a bit different than America, for one thing there are no robes (only when you get your PhD) and you get to sign your own diploma right there!
I was able to obtain a visa to stay in the Netherlands for up to another year while I determined my next step. While waiting, I made a trip back to New Jersey as well as attend a good college friend's wedding in the Dominican Republic. This was a lot of fun as I was able to catch up with friends I had made in the Geology bachelor's program. It has be awhile since some of us had been together! You guys have to come to Iceland now :)
Once back in the Netherlands, I went back to considering my options, mainly whether to pursue academia or industry. With this in mind I applied to various positions at companies in Europe, Australia and North America and two PhD positions in Europe. In the meantime I went to visit some friends in Berlin and London and had the opportunity to go to Israel for a Dutch-organized water challenge program called Wetskills. This was a wonderful two week trip to do some sightseeing and work with other Israeli students on water issues. At the end of the program we presented our ideas at an official Dutch-Israeli conference, where we also got a chance to briefly meet the Dutch Prime Minister - nice guy! The participants I met were really great and can only hope that I am able to see some them again in the future!
I went home again to New Jersey for the winter holidays and to Queens, NYC for an impromptu party to celebrate the New Year at one of my best friend's, Liza, apartment. It was also a mini high school reunion with Josh in from California (thanks for all those movie dates!) and Jon up from South America - so nice to see them! The rooftop was a fantastic way to ring in the New Year, with a view of Manhattan, watching the various fireworks throughout the city, drinking champagne and dancing!
Of course I had some big news just in time for Christmas as I was interviewed for a PhD position at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik and was then accepted!! The position came fully funded by the EU for 3 years and is a part of a larger research network within Europe and all I had to do was submit all the visa paperwork and move. Well 3 months later, I was finally able to get on a plane with 4 pieces of luggage and 5 boxes sent via post. While waiting for this process, I was able to hang out with friends in Utrecht for awhile more and also go to the Canary Islands to meet the people in my Europe research network, CO2-React.
As I have already written a post about my meeting there, you can read it HERE. It was a nice (quite social) introduction and really got me motivated to start my new life!
So come mid-March, landed in Iceland for the first time; I seem to like to move to new countries without knowing much about them beforehand. Luckily I found a splendid apartment near downtown Reykjavik with roommates that turned out not to be creeps, plus the graduate students at the university are a very welcoming supportive crowd! Therefore it goes without saying, that the transition to Iceland was not very tough (of course some normal Icelandic paperwork hassle) and I was able to purchase a car, find a bike in addition to making some lovely friends!
More to come about my PhD project, life in Iceland and anything else going on! TTFN, ta ta for now!
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