During the summer of 2024, I embarked on a research internship in Palermo, Italy, immersing myself in the world of vegetation and plant ecology at the local university.

Having recently completed my Bachelor’s degree in Biology, I was eager to gain hands-on experience and explore the Italian research landscape. While I grew up in Rome, Italy, my academic and professional journey had only taken place in Germany. The Erasmus+ program presented an ideal opportunity to broaden my horizons and seek out a internship position that aligned with my interests.

I was particularly drawn to nature conservation organizations, such as NGOs or national parks, as well as research institutes. I hoped to work in regions with unique landscapes and biodiversity, ideally somewhere in the far north or far south of Italy. After some successful networking and a bit of luck, I found a professor at the University of Palermo whose research focus closely matched my own academic aspirations. His immediate support and availability significantly eased the organizational process. Additionally, the Erasmus+ internship office at the Freie Universität was incredibly helpful and made the application process accessible.

For my internship, I had two primary objectives:

1. Exploring Sicilian flora and habitats: I sought to familiarize myself with the region’s diverse plant life and geological formations. This is not an easy task, as the Sicilian flora is full of endemic species due to its long-term isolation from the mainland and its geographically rich heterogeneity. To gain a first understanding, I wanted to spend significant time in the field with experts, observing and learning as much as possible.
2. Understanding the Italian research system: I aimed to gain insights into the country’s research culture and establish valuable professional connections. Even before starting the internship, as I was searching for a suitable position, I had various online meetings and calls with researchers from across the nation, which gave me a preliminary understanding of the research landscape and helped me build valuable contacts for the future.

In the researcher’s life the fieldwork is only one aspect, and a significant amount of time is spent analysing data and writing scientific articles or grant proposals. But these facets are sufficiently deepened during the university courses, and I wanted to spend the summer understanding the natural world first hand. While my supervisor had many office duties, he quickly connected me with colleagues working on interesting projects who were willing to involve me in their fieldwork. For example, he has a strong collaboration with the local Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources of the National Research Council (IBBR-CNR) Palermo unit, and I could participate in most of their fieldwork during the 2024 field season.

The field trips and research projects I part of during my internship were almost as varied as the Sicilian landscapes. I joined student excursions to the Ficuzza forest, the Mount Cofano, and the Mount Pellegrino; research expeditions to the San Pietro forest, near Caltagirone, to the saltworks of Trapani, and to the Peloritani, Nebrodi, and Madonie mountain ranges. I also took part in the establishment of permanent plots to monitor the vegetation on Etna and Mount Cofano. Some of these projects focused on the ecology and conservation of specific species, such as Ptilostemon greuterii, Zelkova sicula, and Calendula maritima, while others explored spatial or temporal ecological processes on a community level, such as the effects of fire or the impact of volcanic activity. Beyond fieldwork, I gained also experience in laboratory techniques, such as specific leaf area (SLA) measurements.

My internship extended beyond the Sicilian island. Together with my supervisor, I joined an international research team to study the grassland vegetation in the warmest valley of the Italian and French Western Alps. Afterward, I attended an international conference on conservation biology in Bologna, where I learned about cutting-edge research and conservation practices. The Sicilian research team also gave me the opportunity to join them on a data sampling campaign in the Sibillini Mountains, in central Italy.

My time in Sicily was not only a rewarding scientific experience but also a cultural immersion. I embraced the vibrant Sicilian culture, savoured the delicious cuisine, and was inspired by the beautiful landscapes. While I encountered some challenges due to cultural differences, I am grateful for the warm hospitality and support I received from my colleagues and mentors. I met many people and gained insights into the Italian botanical academic world, as well as a first-hand understanding of Sicilian flora and habitats.

I wholeheartedly recommend this type of internship to anyone seeking a challenging and fulfilling experience. Be prepared to embrace new cultures, work hard, and persevere through obstacles.

Tips for other Interns

Preperation
Informing me about the general regulation of the internship and contacting the Erasmus+ internship office from the FU.

Visa application
Not necessary for EU citizens.

Internshipsearch
Asking around for a contact, writing a lot of emails and doing online meeting; understanding what exactly I was looking for and my expectation.

Apartmentsearch
Residence for researcher from the professor, some websites, word of mouth and facebook groups for students.

Insurance
Daad, googling around and the end finding the HanseMerkur package for Erasmus student.

Other
Informing about local trasport and possibility to get a car, Sicily is not so good connected.

Formalities on Site

Telephone/Internet
With the roaming offer inside the EU there were no problems. But neither in the house nor in the university there was a Wi-Fi. In Italy is common to have a SIM with more than 100GB or even infinite GB for internet, but is mostly pretty cheap.

Bank/Accountopening
Not necessary, you can pay everywhere by card. I also had no problem withdrawing money because it accepts to do it free of charge in whole Europe.

Other
Not being officially enrolled at the local university, the access to some services is denied, such as borrowing books from the university librarys or covering the cost of reserch trips.

Everyday/Leisure time

Going out options

Vibrant city with active night life. Open and warm culture.

Other
Amazing food, I recommend being open to try the local food.