What happens when I tell people I study the ocean
Postcard 1st December ‘24: Tiny moments of magic and hope
“I am a marine scientist working with underwater sound.”
I get to introduce myself to a lot of new people recently.
To people at my new workplace. To people in our neighbourhood. At social activities. To random people involved in administrative and logistic elements of moving abroad. During my latest travels.
One thing connects all of them.
No matter if it is the mine worker from Nigeria sitting next to me on an airplane, the grannie I met on the tram, the girl from the apartment building next to us or a car salesman at BMW.
The sudden pure glimmer in their eyes when I tell them I am a marine scientist.
It’s a tiny moment of raw curiosity and joy. It’s funny, but I swear, if the only thing I can ever do as a marine scientist is evoke this kind of reaction in people, I’d be okay with that. Yeah… no. But you get me.
When I would tell people I am a software consultant, there was also some curiosity and “wow, I could not do what you are doing”. But this is different.
I does not feel to be about me. Not like, “Oh wow, you made it; you must be so smart; you are a doctor. A lawyer, etc.” It feels more like the person in front of me is instantly reminded of the fact that marine scientists do exist in real life. And that they feel super lucky to have just met one.
Never ever had I expected anything like this. It’s so hopeful. It shows how much people care about our world. Our oceans. And are fascinated by it. It is a tiny, magical moment I get to share with everyone I just met.
Can stating one’s profession really make someone else’s day better?
Well, all of this simply proves why I also want to write more about my work and everyday aspects here. And I know some of you even have started asking about it.
And do you remember this post from earlier this year? So much has changed!
About this week’s postcard
Please bear with me for a little longer. It has been really a few intense months and weeks, and there are many things competing for all types of capacity (all mostly positive, no worries, even if I have been writing a bit more from my heart lately).
I am unsure how consistent I will be during December since I also feel I need to take a break.
However, I have plans for my postcards, and I want to structure their content more. Right now, I am thinking about 3-4 main themes that could alternate from week to week:
PhD & Academia: Behind-the-scenes stories from the secret world of working at a University, being a PhD student, etc. It could be describing typical days, tools, challenges, and funny and interesting insights.
Marine Research: Starting to write about some of my research in an easy-to-understand language.
Life in Denmark: Insights from our new life in Denmark. Anything related to logistics, administrative things, culture, language, funny stories, weekend trips, etc.
Personal Life Update: A monthly wrap-up of what I have been up to, how I am feeling, and anything I loved, enjoyed, learned, etc., in a given month (or make these aspects again a part of the weekly newsletters?)
Let me know what you think 😊.
Big hug and have a very cosy start into the December month,
Love the themes you've come up with, can't wait to learn more about your research and general PhD day-to-day! 🤩 (after you've taken your well-deserved break!)