I had never left Madagascar. And suddenly, I found myself standing in a conference hall at this prestigious university in Cambridge, surrounded by people from all over the world.
This wasn’t just a trip, it was my first time leaving my country, traveling alone, and facing myself.
As I boarded the plane, my mind was spinning with questions. Would I be good enough? Would I find my place? But once I landed, those doubts started to fade. I knew I was exactly where I needed to be — ready to learn, to challenge, to grow.
This wasn’t just a trip, it was my first time leaving my country, traveling alone, and facing myself.
As I boarded the plane, my mind was spinning with questions. Would I be good enough? Would I find my place? But once I landed, those doubts started to fade. I knew I was exactly where I needed to be — ready to learn, to challenge, to grow.
Bangor: Between the Sea and the Mountains
My first stop was Bangor, a quiet town in North Wales, surrounded by the sea and the mountains that give its landscape a magical feel and its air a crisp freshness. The two weeks I spent there with kind and welcoming people made it easy for me to feel at home.
Picture in front of the historic Main Arts Building, Bangor University
At Bangor University, I worked with Dr. Neal Hockley on the MiRARI project. We used data I had collected in Madagascar on the Community Governance Convention (CGC) to process and establish a baseline.
I was also welcomed into the conservation research group with friendly and passionate people who made me feel included from the start. I rehearsed my conference presentation with them and received valuable feedback. We also interacted, exchanged ideas and shared meals that turned into meaningful conversations.
My time in Bangor gave me more than just academic input. It taught me how to adapt to a new culture and environment. And through that process, I grew in confidence.
Hiking through the mountainous landscapes in Llanberis with Julia Jones and Sarobidy Rakotonarivo
Sharing dinner with the Conservation group in Bangor
Cambridge: Where Dreams Turn Real
The highlight of my journey was attending the Student Conference on Conservation Science (SCCS) in Cambridge. Being in Cambridge, walking its streets, admiring the stunning architecture, crossing these old colleges felt surreal.
Walking through the streets of Cambridge near St Chad’s
At the courtyard of the famous King’s College during visit tour of Cambridge
Visit to the Natural Reserve RSPB Lakenheath Fen with friends delegates who received bursary
Thanks to the bursary, I arrived a few days early and took part in a few guided tours. Most importantly, I had the chance to attend an in-depth training session on social science design, followed by a mentoring session with Dr. Freya St John. The session emphasized the importance of ethics in research and gave us practical tools for organizing data collection in social sciences — especially when studying human behavior and its role in conservation. These insights are incredibly relevant to my work and studies, and I know I’ll rely on what I learned throughout my career.
Then came the conference day. It opened with a plenary and an inspiring talk by Dr. Sarobidy Rakotonarivo, a Malagasy woman leading in this field. Seeing her speak made me believe: I can do this too. Her final quote still stays with me: “Tsy misy mafy tsy laitran’ny zoto” — nothing is too hard if you’re determined.
My presentation came on the final day. It was my first time standing in front of an international audience of professors, students, and conservation experts from around the world. Standing there was intimidating, and I was feeling nervous, which was probably obvious. But I presented my research on perception of climate-smart agriculture, drawn from my master’s thesis. And when it ended, the applause felt like a quiet but powerful message: you did it.
That day I learned something I’ll never forget: fear is normal. Everyone feels it. What matters is doing it anyway.
My talk at SCCS: Perception of Climate-smart agriculture
SCCS reminded me why I love this world of research. I was amazed by the creativity and energy in every presentation and poster. Everyone was doing such original and inspiring work. It showed me how much I know, and how much more I still have to learn.
Looking Back
I often think of people I met. They pushed me to dream bigger, aim higher, and persevere.
Now I’m back home. If before I wasn’t sure what came next, I now have a new perspective and new energy for the next step.
This journey didn’t just take me beyond borders. It brought me closer to the kind of researcher, and person, I want to be.
