- GAME from a Participant鈥檚 Point of View-
Ulrich Kunz, born in 1975, participated in the first GAME project 鈥淚nduction of Chemical Anti-Feeding Defence in Marine Macro Algae鈥� which was sponsored by the Mercator Foundation. Together with his team partner, Olivia Langhamer, he performed experiments at the Tj盲rn枚 Marine Biological Laboratory (Universities of G枚teborg and Stockholm). Here are his suggestions to other students.
Enthusiastic about Teamwork
鈥淲ith GAME, team work prevails. We were given the opportunity to do research as a two person team. I was lucky enough to work with a partner with whom the project work really was fun. In other contexts graduands or PhD students are often left on their own鈥攖hey may be integrated into a working group, but exchange with someone doing the same research work is uncommon. That鈥檚 different with GAME, which I believe is great, since it creates improvements and fresh ideas about the research problem. Beyond being in teams of two, during project preparation and final wrap-up in Kiel all participants work in close cooperation.鈥�
Experience Abroad
鈥淪weden isn鈥檛 as distinct from Germany as other more distant countries may be, but of course still there are differences. I think Sweden is a fabulous country, and people there are very nice. Although almost all Swedes are fluent in English, I acquired a bit of Swedish. During my spare time I took advantage of the whole spectrum of possibilities Sweden provides: diving, mountain climbing, hiking, kayaking, and sailing. I鈥檓 glad I also had time to take photos because Sweden is so rich of beautiful sceneries.
鈥淩esearch in Sweden is very pleasant since people are much more enthusiastic about environmental matters than in Germany. I think because they are more intensely rooted in nature than other folks throughout Europe. What鈥檚 more, they鈥檙e investing a lot in science. Speaking of us, we were at a fantastic institute鈥攕ome of the researchers even helped us on a daily basis. And there was no shortage of boats.鈥�
Science and Communication
鈥淚 also learned some things about science in general from GAME, notably that science is no longer a business of the lone heroic researcher, but a matter of communication between scientists. GAME is very strong about this. Furthermore, watching over the shoulder of the fellow-researchers I came to know a lot about the other projects.
鈥淏ut science also comprises chores like writing down results on paper, and, as the case may be, in English. GAME encourages practicing these skills.鈥�
Building Contacts
鈥淲hile being at GAME I became acquainted with participants from a diversity of countries. Communication during this time was very helpful, especially in the teams of two. I still have contact with some of these people. I hope some day I will go back to Sweden for some time. My team mate has found a job opening in Sweden to do her PhD, on the east coast near Uppsala.鈥�
Oral Presentations of Results
鈥淲e analyzed the experimental results collaboratively before presenting them in talks at four different universities, viz. Bremen, Bremerhaven, Rostock, and Oldenburg. This was especially motivating since besides scientists many students were among the listeners. We related how exciting to us the project was, and we were asked interesting questions.鈥�
Suggestions for Prospective Participants
鈥淧articipation in GAME is worthwhile in any case. You ought to bring along an open mind towards other countries and you should be willing to be cooperative. The team mate may have quite a different perception of the project than yourself. But collaboration is the most exciting aspect, if it work鈥檚 out it鈥檚 terrific and you won鈥檛 forget it. But it can go wrong, though seldomly. Communication is most important.
鈥淥n the other hand expectations shouldn鈥檛 be excessive. Though scientific problem and experiments are predetermined, alertness is always necessary. You cannot just lean back. Notwithstanding excellent supervision and preparation of the experimental design every now and then it鈥檚 necessary to improvise during field work. There are always moments of frustration which the team mates must overcome. I鈥檇 advise participants to consult their supervisors and other scientists quite intensively.鈥�
