During my PhD, I had the incredible opportunity to complete a secondment at INRAE in Narbonne, an experience that has left a lasting impact on me both professionally and personally.
From a scientific perspective, this secondment was an intense and rewarding learning journey. I significantly deepened my practical analytical skills and expanded my knowledge in environmental research. Working alongside colleagues from diverse scientific backgrounds allowed me to view my research through new lenses and engage in valuable interdisciplinary discussions that both challenged and inspired me.
Beyond the lab, the setting itself played a powerful role in shaping my experience. INRAE is surrounded by nature, and being immersed in such an environment helped me build a deeper connection with the natural world I aim to protect through my research. It was a daily reminder of why environmental science matters.
Thanks to my fantastic colleagues, especially Erika, from both INRAE and our INLUE project, the work was carried out at the highest professional level. At the same time, secondments are inherently intense: the time is limited, the expectations are high, and the pace is demanding. Yet, this pressure became a strength. It taught me invaluable lessons in time management, prioritisation, and focus. The knowledge gained during this short period is profound and will stay with me through the next chapter and the paths that follow.
Outside of work, we also found moments to breathe. Exploring Narbonne and the landscapes of southern France, walking through some of the most beautiful paths, and sharing these experiences together made this chapter even more special. These moments of connection, beyond research, are what truly transform a professional stay into a meaningful life experience.
I cannot speak about my secondment without expressing my deepest gratitude for the support and mentorship I received. First and foremost, I want to thank Julie Jimenez, followed closely by Dominique Patureau. Working alongside two such strong, intelligent, and highly disciplined women has been incredibly motivating. As a researcher and as a woman in science, I consider them role models. They were always there, professionally and personally, whenever support, guidance, or encouragement was needed.
To everyone I met at INRAE: thank you. To those I could help, those I could teach, and those who taught me, both inside and outside the laboratory, on both scientific and human levels, I am deeply grateful. Every single interaction contributed to my growth, not only as a researcher but also as a person.
I am excited to see what this chapter will eventually produce in terms of scientific publications and results, but regardless of outcomes, the experience itself has already been invaluable. I would like to sincerely thank the MSCA program and all the amazing project partners who make such secondments possible and who continuously foster international collaboration, personal development, and professional networking.
These are the experiences that shape us as researchers, experiences that push us forward and to our limits, teach us resilience, and remind us why we chose this path.
Thank you for every encounter, every lesson, and every moment along this PhD journey.
Well, let’s not forget to mention the improvement within my French speaking skills; to keep it short to everyone always wishing a good BONAPREAM and CE SOIR for the work
I look forward to many more inspiring experiences ahead.