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Student Experiences

My placement with the University of Georgia Marine extension and Georgia sea Grant

28 November, 2024

Erin Murphy, marine biology student, shares her experience of travelling to America for her placement year.

 

I really enjoyed my placement because I got to try out a lot of things that I hadn't done before and I wasn't sure where I wanted to go with my career so working with animals and getting those certificates has really helped me to lean towards that way.

I did my placement at the University of Georgia Marine extension and Georgia sea Grant. The main role of my job was teaching K through 12 kids in America marine education on their field trips. I also got to spend a lot of time doing animal husbandry, working in an aquarium, and a lot of outreach events in the local community.

 

 

What were some practical things you had to consider?

In preparation for my placement I had to get J1 visa from the US Embassy, which was a pretty simple process because UG sponsors you for it. I also had to sort out some health insurance so that I was covered in America.

 

Were there any challenges?

At the start it was kind of difficult because I was under 21, so socializing was kind of hard, but I overcome this by joining different things in the community and going to little events that everyone could go to. 

 

Do you have any advice?

I would advise any future students to say yes to as many things as you can while you're there. I got to do so many cool experiences that I had never even thought to do before.

 

 

Erin Murphy

MSci Marine Biology
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