Week Three: What does a typical day look like this summer? Aside from a narrative description, upload a photo, video and/or other media submission!
I wake up, take the Paris Metro (40 min, two trains, plus some walking...) to the American Library in Paris. I arrive and receive a project - usually, something to do with donor outreach, or updating the newsletter, or researching upcoming art-related events. I work, then take a break at 1 or so to walk to a boulangerie to buy the most interesting-looking sandwich I can find. Then I head back and keep working until around 5, when I leave and head to Reid Hall to continue working or to attend the ongoing events (some examples: a talk with artist Anselm Richter, a book launch, a concert!). I meet some people in the Columbia Neuroscience program for dinner, or I go for a jog and stop at a crepe place along the way. I get back to my dorm and read one of the four books I have checked out from the library at the moment, and then I fall asleep (way too late!). The weekends are mostly spent at museums (up next this weekend: Picasso, the Pompidou, and maybe the Petit Palais if I have time). Here's a photo of me on the way back from the library, waiting for the bus next to the Eiffel Tower:
That's so cool that you are able to meet up with some of the people in the Columbia Neuroscience program! Did you know anyone from the program beforehand or did you just meet them while in Paris?
Week Four: What challenges and/or difficulties have you encountered and how did you go about resolving them? Speak to a specific challenge you have encountered and some of the ways that you tackled the problem.
One challenge that I have encountered a bit is the cultural difference. While Ireland isn't incredibly different from the States, at times the cultural differences can be a little jarring. This is especially noticeable when I am working on collecting literature for background information for the literature review I am working on because it is specific to Ireland and Irish history regarding mental health. It is also quite noticeable socially as well. For example, if I go to a more rural part of Ireland, their accents are usually pretty thick and some even speak Irish Gaelic, so it can be a bit difficult to understand.
I've found the most helpful approach in these situations is to be patient with myself and be willing to ask questions. I will often speak with my Research Advisor about specifics of Ireland's mental health history or Irish culture. She has also been incredibly helpful in explaining certain Irish colloquialisms that confused me at first and has given me a lot of recommendations for places to go or fun events in the area that have helped me become more familiar with Ireland and Irish culture.
My research advisor is really flexible, so I typically work Monday-Thursday from roughly 9 AM to 4:30 PM (but this is VERY flexible). However, this past Monday was the Bank Holiday in Ireland, so I had a longer weekend. :) But my typical day mostly consists of independent research - looking up articles, reviewing them, taking notes, etc. Several times a week I will meet with my research advisor to check-in and she will offer some advice and guidance on next-steps and research strategy. Additionally, since I am working at a mental health charity, there are numerous volunteering opportunities and events- so if I want a little research break I will help one of my colleagues with preparing for these events.
Around 11 AM everyday, everyone in the office stops work and sits down in the break room for tea time, where we discuss just about anything ranging from the finale of Succession to what mental health work we are currently working on. Roughly around 1 PM I will have my lunch break. Since the Mental Health Ireland HQ is located in Dun Laoghaire, it is right along the coast, so I will often take a walk along the coast for my lunch break.
Additionally, at Mental Health Ireland they are really big proponents of Co-Production, so at every stage of the development of mental health campaigns, programs, research, etc. they consult those that it directly impact, those with lived experience. They really emphasize doing research with others, not for others. So, I am currently involved in a handful of Co-Production groups that I meet with periodically to review and discuss my colleague's work.
Also, since the office is along the coast, we have a really nice view of the coast from the office (I often get distracted looking out)
Photos of Dun Laoghaire/Mental Health Ireland HQ: https://photos.app.goo.gl/LuLrQcJLv115Diag8
Yes! I occasionally meet up with some of the other student interns outside of working hours and ironically, they are both from the U.S. as well. I also typically use my three-day weekends for little trips around Ireland- such as Galway, Belfast, etc. or honestly, even just exploring more of Dublin because there is a lot to see and do!
My research advisor is really flexible, so I typically work Monday-Thursday from roughly 9 AM to 4:30 PM (but this is VERY flexible). However, this past Monday was the Bank Holiday in Ireland, so I had a longer weekend. :) But my typical day mostly consists of independent research - looking up articles, reviewing them, taking notes, etc. Several times a week I will meet with my research advisor to check-in and she will offer some advice and guidance on next-steps and research strategy. Additionally, since I am working at a mental health charity, there are numerous volunteering opportunities and events- so if I want a little research break I will help one of my colleagues with preparing for these events.
Around 11 AM everyday, everyone in the office stops work and sits down in the break room for tea time, where we discuss just about anything ranging from the finale of Succession to what mental health work we are currently working on. Roughly around 1 PM I will have my lunch break. Since the Mental Health Ireland HQ is located in Dun Laoghaire, it is right along the coast, so I will often take a walk along the coast for my lunch break.
Additionally, at Mental Health Ireland they are really big proponents of Co-Production, so at every stage of the development of mental health campaigns, programs, research, etc. they consult those that it directly impact, those with lived experience. They really emphasize doing research with others, not for others. So, I am currently involved in a handful of Co-Production groups that I meet with periodically to review and discuss my colleague's work.
Also, since the office is along the coast, we have a really nice view of the coast from the office (I often get distracted looking out)
Photos of Dun Laoghaire/Mental Health Ireland HQ: https://photos.app.goo.gl/LuLrQcJLv115Diag8
My research broadly connects with the research I did last summer in that they are both related to cognitive processes and their impact on beliefs/actions. This project allows me to explore the cognitive processes I researched last summer in a more practical setting, in a different stage in development- in a mental health setting. My understanding of cognition has evolved given that I have been looking into the implications of negative beliefs on a given population, how it impacts and environment, and potentially makes it an unsafe environment for discussion and the sharing of ideas.
So, this is a bit belated considering that I am well onto my third week, but that being said, when it was my first week I did have some worries about the nature of my research, especially regarding the repetitious nature of it. I am currently working on creating a literature review regarding stigma and mental health in Ireland for the charity, Mental Health Ireland. Since it is a literature review, the point is for it to be a little repetitive but in a more clear and concise manner to help the charity I am working at (and potentially others) to determine what is needed to best measure and consequentially address mental health stigma in a given population. For me, in addressing these insecurities, it has been the most helpful to think of the larger picture of what my work has the potential to do in terms of its potential application to mental health movements encouraging increased awareness. It has also been helpful in increasing my own awareness of mental health concerns, especially considering the different views and issues that Ireland has had regarding mental health in comparison to the States.
This project does differ from my work last summer, in which I worked in Columbia's Social and Moral Cognition Lab researching moral cognition in children. There is some overlap between the subject areas of this summer and last summer's projects, given that they are both psychological research based, but they are vastly different approaches to research in vastly different settings. However, I have been able to carry over some skills that I developed last summer into this summer. My willingness to ask questions when I don't understand or when I am merely curious about something has been incredibly helpful to me thus far, especially given that I have to adapt to a different countries research practices and standards.
We and selected partners, use cookies or similar technologies as specified in the cookie policy and privacy policy.
You can consent to the use of such technologies by closing this notice.
Cookie Control
Customise your preferences for any tracking technology
The following allows you to customize your consent preferences for any tracking technology used
to help us achieve the features and activities described below. To learn more about how these trackers help us
and how they work, refer to the cookie policy. You may review and change your preferences at any time.
These trackers are used for activities that are strictly necessary to operate or deliver the service you requested from us and, therefore, do not require you to consent.
These trackers help us to provide a personalized user experience by improving the quality of your preference management options, and by enabling the interaction with external networks and platforms.
Recent Comments
Week Three:
What does a typical day look like this summer? Aside from a narrative description, upload a photo, video and/or other media submission!
I wake up, take the Paris Metro (40 min, two trains, plus some walking...) to the American Library in Paris. I arrive and receive a project - usually, something to do with donor outreach, or updating the newsletter, or researching upcoming art-related events. I work, then take a break at 1 or so to walk to a boulangerie to buy the most interesting-looking sandwich I can find. Then I head back and keep working until around 5, when I leave and head to Reid Hall to continue working or to attend the ongoing events (some examples: a talk with artist Anselm Richter, a book launch, a concert!). I meet some people in the Columbia Neuroscience program for dinner, or I go for a jog and stop at a crepe place along the way. I get back to my dorm and read one of the four books I have checked out from the library at the moment, and then I fall asleep (way too late!). The weekends are mostly spent at museums (up next this weekend: Picasso, the Pompidou, and maybe the Petit Palais if I have time). Here's a photo of me on the way back from the library, waiting for the bus next to the Eiffel Tower:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QeaD7iMZ12sgV1CttqQEx6f746f6EEuz/view?usp=sharing
That's so cool that you are able to meet up with some of the people in the Columbia Neuroscience program! Did you know anyone from the program beforehand or did you just meet them while in Paris?
Week Four:
What challenges and/or difficulties have you encountered and how did you go about resolving them? Speak to a specific challenge you have encountered and some of the ways that you tackled the problem.
One challenge that I have encountered a bit is the cultural difference. While Ireland isn't incredibly different from the States, at times the cultural differences can be a little jarring. This is especially noticeable when I am working on collecting literature for background information for the literature review I am working on because it is specific to Ireland and Irish history regarding mental health. It is also quite noticeable socially as well. For example, if I go to a more rural part of Ireland, their accents are usually pretty thick and some even speak Irish Gaelic, so it can be a bit difficult to understand.
I've found the most helpful approach in these situations is to be patient with myself and be willing to ask questions. I will often speak with my Research Advisor about specifics of Ireland's mental health history or Irish culture. She has also been incredibly helpful in explaining certain Irish colloquialisms that confused me at first and has given me a lot of recommendations for places to go or fun events in the area that have helped me become more familiar with Ireland and Irish culture.
Week 3:
My research advisor is really flexible, so I typically work Monday-Thursday from roughly 9 AM to 4:30 PM (but this is VERY flexible). However, this past Monday was the Bank Holiday in Ireland, so I had a longer weekend. :) But my typical day mostly consists of independent research - looking up articles, reviewing them, taking notes, etc. Several times a week I will meet with my research advisor to check-in and she will offer some advice and guidance on next-steps and research strategy. Additionally, since I am working at a mental health charity, there are numerous volunteering opportunities and events- so if I want a little research break I will help one of my colleagues with preparing for these events.
Around 11 AM everyday, everyone in the office stops work and sits down in the break room for tea time, where we discuss just about anything ranging from the finale of Succession to what mental health work we are currently working on. Roughly around 1 PM I will have my lunch break. Since the Mental Health Ireland HQ is located in Dun Laoghaire, it is right along the coast, so I will often take a walk along the coast for my lunch break.
Additionally, at Mental Health Ireland they are really big proponents of Co-Production, so at every stage of the development of mental health campaigns, programs, research, etc. they consult those that it directly impact, those with lived experience. They really emphasize doing research with others, not for others. So, I am currently involved in a handful of Co-Production groups that I meet with periodically to review and discuss my colleague's work.
Also, since the office is along the coast, we have a really nice view of the coast from the office (I often get distracted looking out)
Photos of Dun Laoghaire/Mental Health Ireland HQ: https://photos.app.goo.gl/LuLrQcJLv115Diag8
Yes! I occasionally meet up with some of the other student interns outside of working hours and ironically, they are both from the U.S. as well. I also typically use my three-day weekends for little trips around Ireland- such as Galway, Belfast, etc. or honestly, even just exploring more of Dublin because there is a lot to see and do!
Week 3:
My research advisor is really flexible, so I typically work Monday-Thursday from roughly 9 AM to 4:30 PM (but this is VERY flexible). However, this past Monday was the Bank Holiday in Ireland, so I had a longer weekend. :) But my typical day mostly consists of independent research - looking up articles, reviewing them, taking notes, etc. Several times a week I will meet with my research advisor to check-in and she will offer some advice and guidance on next-steps and research strategy. Additionally, since I am working at a mental health charity, there are numerous volunteering opportunities and events- so if I want a little research break I will help one of my colleagues with preparing for these events.
Around 11 AM everyday, everyone in the office stops work and sits down in the break room for tea time, where we discuss just about anything ranging from the finale of Succession to what mental health work we are currently working on. Roughly around 1 PM I will have my lunch break. Since the Mental Health Ireland HQ is located in Dun Laoghaire, it is right along the coast, so I will often take a walk along the coast for my lunch break.
Additionally, at Mental Health Ireland they are really big proponents of Co-Production, so at every stage of the development of mental health campaigns, programs, research, etc. they consult those that it directly impact, those with lived experience. They really emphasize doing research with others, not for others. So, I am currently involved in a handful of Co-Production groups that I meet with periodically to review and discuss my colleague's work.
Also, since the office is along the coast, we have a really nice view of the coast from the office (I often get distracted looking out)
Photos of Dun Laoghaire/Mental Health Ireland HQ: https://photos.app.goo.gl/LuLrQcJLv115Diag8
Week 2:
My research broadly connects with the research I did last summer in that they are both related to cognitive processes and their impact on beliefs/actions. This project allows me to explore the cognitive processes I researched last summer in a more practical setting, in a different stage in development- in a mental health setting. My understanding of cognition has evolved given that I have been looking into the implications of negative beliefs on a given population, how it impacts and environment, and potentially makes it an unsafe environment for discussion and the sharing of ideas.
Week 1:
So, this is a bit belated considering that I am well onto my third week, but that being said, when it was my first week I did have some worries about the nature of my research, especially regarding the repetitious nature of it. I am currently working on creating a literature review regarding stigma and mental health in Ireland for the charity, Mental Health Ireland. Since it is a literature review, the point is for it to be a little repetitive but in a more clear and concise manner to help the charity I am working at (and potentially others) to determine what is needed to best measure and consequentially address mental health stigma in a given population. For me, in addressing these insecurities, it has been the most helpful to think of the larger picture of what my work has the potential to do in terms of its potential application to mental health movements encouraging increased awareness. It has also been helpful in increasing my own awareness of mental health concerns, especially considering the different views and issues that Ireland has had regarding mental health in comparison to the States.
This project does differ from my work last summer, in which I worked in Columbia's Social and Moral Cognition Lab researching moral cognition in children. There is some overlap between the subject areas of this summer and last summer's projects, given that they are both psychological research based, but they are vastly different approaches to research in vastly different settings. However, I have been able to carry over some skills that I developed last summer into this summer. My willingness to ask questions when I don't understand or when I am merely curious about something has been incredibly helpful to me thus far, especially given that I have to adapt to a different countries research practices and standards.