Léon Escomel
Current position: Pupil with Civil Servant status at the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon in 4th year (2018-2019) – France.
Internship stay in the research group of Prof Sally Brooker: Oct 2018 – Mar 2019
I undertook a 5-month full-time research project in the research group of Sally Brooker as part of my MSc studies at the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon in France.
My research project entailed the development of synthetic methodologies towards a mixed terpyridine-triazole ligand system that would in the future enable access to a complex showing both redox activity and spin crossover, aiming for each function to be influenced by the other. A key part of the project was the design and multi-step organic synthesis of the required multi-faceted ditopic ligands.
My first few days in the lab with this impressive and busy research group were a little bit daunting. But Sally, her team, and the other members of the department were very welcoming hosts, providing me with a trusting environment which allowed me to adapt quickly to this new place and earn quickly some confidence.
Furthermore, before my arrival in New Zealand, Sally was very helpful and reactive to sort all the types of paperwork I dealt with (internship agreement, accommodation etc.). All these aspects were very reassuring and comforting.
The research group of Sally is very international. This aspect gave me the opportunity to discover other cultures and to have animated chats with all the members of Brooker’s Bunch. From this internship, I learnt a lot both professionally and personally from everyone, and I can say I had a very enriching experience, which will be valuable for my future in research.
Regarding my accommodation, I stayed in a homestay. I found this accommodation option by dealing with the accommodation office of the University of Otago Language Centre. To get a suitable homestay, I filled a form where I indicated my preferences and what would be my ideal family to live with. Afterwards, by a matching concept, the university provided me a homestay proposal and I accepted it. Not only was it cheaper than staying in a flat or residential college, but I also had the privilege of living with a very nice and benevolent family. It also gave me a good chance to interact with English-native speakers in the evenings and the weekends, which allowed me to improve my English level, to build confidence, and to become more comfortable with this language. The family I stayed with was also an invaluable guide during my stay in New Zealand, and gave me a lot of practical and helpful advice.
Throughout my kiwi stay, I devoted most of my weekends to exploring the countryside and wildlife of this country (especially the south island). The wonderful and atypical landscapes of New Zealand gave me a strong feeling of peace. Each place I saw was – for different reasons – a gateway to paradise and an oasis of calm. In the Dunedin area, I would mention the Otago peninsula and its wildlife, which is a unique and very beautiful region. The uniqueness of this country’s environment was for me a veritable source of inspiration regarding all the aspects of my life.
To sum up, my stay in Brooker’s Bunch and in New Zealand is unforgettable. From this experience, I know that I will come back to France more mature and enriched, both professionally and personally. I am sure that this stay was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.
