“For me, Heidelberg is the perfect place where I want to live”
Marina Serrano Marin, Romance scholar at Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid/Spain
Research stay at Heidelberg University’s Department of Romance Studies from October 2015 to January 2016 as a fellow of the Centre for Ibero-American Studies (IAZ); return to Heidelberg with HAIreconnect in late June/early July 2017.
Why did you decide to come to Heidelberg University?
There were three important reasons for my decision to do research at Heidelberg University: First, the core themes of my doctoral thesis were directly related to the research of Professor Sybille Große at the Department of Romance Studies. Second, I needed the library collections of the Department of Romance Studies and of Heidelberg City Library for my work. And third, I wanted to get in touch with research groups in the French and Italian sections of the Department of Romance Studies to learn about new approaches to corpus linguistics.
What did you like best about your stay, and where do you see room for improvement?
The working climate was exciting and stimulating and the atmosphere in general incredibly welcoming, which allowed me to make optimal use of my time in Heidelberg. In terms of improvements, I would like to suggest a colloquium for international scholarship holders.
How has Heidelberg impacted your career?
My career has progressed nicely since my time at Heidelberg University: in May 2018 I successfully completed my doctoral thesis. Also, my experience in Heidelberg has obviously added value to my CV. In the next two years, I will be a contributor to the ALDICAM-CM project (Atlas Lingüístico Diacrónico e Interactivo de la Comunidad de Madrid). And I have just seen the publication of a study in which I was involved about documents of the Spanish inquisition.
How do you rate the German scientific community compared to your home country or other countries in which you have conducted research?
When I compare the German scientific community to the Spanish one, there is not much of a difference—the synergies are similar. Nevertheless, my experiences at Heidelberg University and at the University of Oxford have shown that research groups receive more and better support there. At Alcalá University, things are a bit different—there, the principal investigator of the research group must be the driving force.
How important do you think international exchange is for scientists?
I think international exchange is particularly important, as it makes it easier for researchers to share experiences, which really helps their work.
How do you rate the opportunities offered by the Research Alumni Network?
The Research Alumni Network creates a platform for exchange and discussions between Heidelberg researchers and their international colleagues. It also helps introduce the work of junior researchers to a wider audience.
Why did you apply to HAIreconnect and what did you do during your stay in Heidelberg?
I applied for a HAIreconnect grant because I especially value this exchange of ideas between Heidelberg University and other universities outside of Germany. At the same time, it was a unique chance for me to demonstrate how useful and important my previous stay in Heidelberg has been for me. During my HAIreconnect stay, I taught a language history course for one day and took part in the colloquium for doctoral researchers.
You are a Research Alumni Ambassador for Heidelberg – what are your future plans in this context?
I am currently helping to set up an Erasmus arrangement between Heidelberg University and the Universidad de Alcalá. I also organise events where people can learn about the academic possibilities offered by Heidelberg University for international students.
