Stepping Out, Growing Within: how a research stay can enrich your PhD journey

Irene Otamendi Urroz, visiting PhD student from the University of Almería (Spain)

Introduction

Embarking on a research stay as a PhD student is more than just changing your physical location—it is about shifting perspectives, challenging routines, and discovering new ways to grow, both professionally and personally. As someone researching how biocultural diversity is perceived, conserved, and transmitted in rural communities—through participatory methods and spatial analysis—this journey has been deeply meaningful to me. In this post, I would like to share what I have learned during my time as a visiting PhD student from Spain at the University of Turku, where I joined the Sustainable Landscape Systems Research Group. From sauna heat to ice-cold waters, every contrast has been transformative in ways I never expected. And maybe, just maybe, it might inspire you to take that leap too. 

Stepping out

Coming from a small village in Spain, arriving in a Nordic city like Turku was a big leap—not into the unknown, though I was, for the most part, Frozen (yes, like the movie). Nevertheless, I have never really liked the phrase “stepping out of your comfort zone.” It sounds as if we should escape it, when in fact; our comfort zone often holds things we value: routines, people or familiar landscapes. What I believe in, instead, is expanding that zone. We, as adults often forget how naturally children do this: trying new things, asking questions or approaching everything with curiosity.  

A research stay, for me, was about reclaiming that spirit of exploration, that sense of wonder. It meant learning to navigate a new city, a new research environment, facing cultural differences, and sometimes even just figuring out how to buy groceries in a new language. The cold, the darkness, the silence (yes, I decided to do a research stay from January to April—perfect timing, right?) might sound like a nightmare for a Spaniard. But instead of shrinking, my world expanded. I was not leaving my comfort zone—I was redrawing its borders. That is where real learning begins. And honestly? It was not that cold or that dark. 

Growing within

Each stay abroad brings a different kind of growth. Years ago, during my first research stay in Australia, I learned the importance of taking initiative: if you want to do something, just go for it—even if it means doing it alone. In Finland, I learned something equally valuable: that how you experience a place is shaped not just by your surroundings, but also by how you choose to engage with them. When the weather is cold, it is the warmth of human connection that keeps you going. And, when the sun sets at 3 p.m., it is your mindset and attitude that can light up the rest of the day. 

These are not just personal lessons. They are deeply professional ones, too. Being in a new academic environment has made me more independent, more resilient, and more conscious of how I use my time. Finland is a country full of natural wonders, and there is time for leisure, travel, and getting inspired beyond the desk. In fact, some of the best ideas I have had for my thesis recently came to me while staring out the window of a bus, watching the snow-covered forests of Lapland. 

Figure 1. Irene in Lapland. 

In addition and most importantly, I have realized that no matter how many stays you have done—Erasmus, internships, conferences—there is always room to grow a little more. Every place teaches you something different, and expands your comfort zone. 

New ideas and perspectives

One of the biggest gifts of this stay was being welcomed into the Sustainable Landscape Systems Research Group. The working atmosphere is as open as it is inspiring. I had the opportunity to share ideas with people from a wide range of academic and cultural backgrounds—each one bringing a new lens to look at the world. 

Leaving your home university and research group can be scary at first, but it is also incredibly enriching. You get to see how other departments are run, how people collaborate, how meetings feel and how discussions flow. These are not just observations—they are seeds of ideas for improvement you take back with you to your home university or research institute. 

Figure 2. The Sustainable Landscape Systems Research Group.

I was also invited to participate in the department’s “Thursday Talk” session, where I shared my research with others. Preparing for that talk was a great challenge—it forced me to distill my thesis into something clear, engaging, and accessible to people unfamiliar with my specific topic. It made me reflect more deeply on the “why” behind my work, and led to conversations with other colleagues that pushed my thinking in new directions. 

I also learned about new methodologies and engaged in discussions that are now shaping the final chapters of my thesis. These are the kinds of connections that do not just broaden your research—they deepen it. 

Some final thoughts

If you are thinking about doing a research stay, especially at the University of Turku, I can only encourage you to go for it. Whether you are coming from near or far, you will find a place where your curiosity is welcomed, your questions are valued, and your growth is supported. So, take the leap, redraw your borders, and let the journey shape you—both as a researcher and as a person. 

I encourage you to approach the stay as a “scientific traveler”, not a “scientific tourist.” A tourist moves quickly, collects snapshots, and remains mostly on the surface. Nevertheless, I believe we grow the most when we become scientific travelers—people who take the time to understand the culture, the people, and the rhythm of a place. Travelers seek connection, not just completion. They engage with their surroundings, give back, and stay open to being changed by the experience. That is when true growth happens—not just in your research, but also within yourself. 

Finally, I can highly recommend the Sustainable Landscape Systems Research Group as a host for your research stay, based on their warm atmosphere, insightful conversations, and the encouragement that truly makes a difference in the everyday life of a PhD student. 

I will carry all of this with me—and I know these lessons will be with me in my upcoming thesis defense. Kiitos, Turku. 

P.S. If you are looking for your next personal challenge to expand your comfort zone… try learning Finnish. Trust me, you will grow.