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Hi there, my name is Spyros from Thessaloniki, Greece and had been trainee at the JRC during the 2012.

 

At social level, as a trainee at the JRC I had the opportunity to make friends and to meet people from different cultural backgrounds. Such interaction helped me to gain better understanding of myself and of the others.

 

At professional level, as a trainee at the JRC I had the opportunity to partake in a highly advanced, innovative, and truly international learning and working environment. Such an environment provides me with import_ant scientific and technical skills that helped significantly afterwards to obtain a Ph.D. scholarship at JRC.

 

It was an unforgettable social and working experience!

 

- Spyros

 

 

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I arrived to Ispra to start my traineeship on November 1st and after 8h of driving from Rome, I was welcomed by a mist of fog and sluggish rain. I thought to myself, this is such stereotypical weather of the North of Italy (me being from the South). I didn’t let that discourage me, so I made my way to my new future house. A flat in an apartment building, and there I was welcomed by silence and emptiness….all my flatmates where on vacations for the 3-day weekend. This was the last time that house has been so quiet! :D  On my first day of work I already met many people from different countries and already enlisted myself to play football, basketball and follow a yoga course! There are so many sports activities that one can join and in the winter there is snowboarding and skiing!  Also of course various social dinners, watching champions league matches with people all over Europe (you’ll always find someone supporting the same team ;)) and also some quality time with flatmates.  

 

Workwise I have had a very rewarding time, as a matter of fact I am still here (as of 2014 :D) with a different contract. As a trainee I joined a very new project and so I was given many responsibilities and had the chance to test myself. It does take some time to realize how and what you are supposed to do on the job, and sometimes the bureaucratic red tape can get a bit tiring, but other than that if you are an active person you will be able to join and contribute plentifully.

 

All in all, my experience as a Trainee in Ispra has been great. Having a car does help in moving around, but it’s not a problem if you don't have it as there are plenty of fellows that can give you a lift.

 

Enjoy your time!

 

- Alessandro