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Independent Research: The Best and Most Challenging Endeavor
Conducting research abroad was one of the most rewarding experiences I had during my semester in Nice. I signed up for a Field Research Seminar course thinking it would help me with my degree, but in actuality the course taught me so much about structuring a professional research paper and time management.
My specific project analyzed the economic value of the French Multi-Annual Energy Plan. I researched a wide array of topics specifically pertaining to nuclear and renewable energy usage in France and Germany. I was assigned an IES Abroad advisor that checked-in on me periodically and provided feedback. It was an intense process that spanned the length of the semester, but I learned how to pace myself in the face of a long and technical paper. There were definite challenges, however. I dealt with a lot of self-doubt while I was going through a labor-intensive period of research. I had high expectations for this paper and expected it to be easier than it was. In reality, finding data from French and German sources is difficult, and I had to relearn which sources are credible in Europe. Additionally, it was difficult to develop a timeline for myself when I wasn't even sure what direction the paper was going in. I quickly realized that time management is an extremely useful, but difficult, skill to master. Considering the project was self-paced, I tried to stay on-track with the timeline I set for myself, modifying when needed, but it was challenging. My mentors’ advice boosted my resilience and always gave me new ideas, which kept me going. While I absolutely faced some procrastination, I was still proud of myself for turning in quality work by the deadline. I emerged with more confidence in my analytical skills and learned that I’m capable of quality research.
I believe doing research abroad is an incredible opportunity, and if your center offers it, I would definitely consider signing up! It teaches you useful skills that are applicable to both school and a future career. Here are some tips that helped me manage my time and research successfully:
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Write down a timeline for yourself (yes, physically write it with a pen and paper). Keep it close by and try to have one or two general goals each month.
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Pace yourself. Don't devote 12 hours straight to only research, you will burn out eventually and we don't want that!
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Start writing the paper in chunks. They don't have to fit together right away, but the important part is getting words down on paper.
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Have some trusted loved ones proofread your work. Most likely, they will provide useful feedback without being too critical.
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Turn to an advisor or mentor for advice! That's what they're there for, and a different person’s point of view can be really helpful in refining your work.
Conducting research abroad enriched my study-abroad experience and while it was difficult at times, I don't regret it at all. If you're thinking it sounds interesting, just try it! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
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