Further there follows information supplied by a former post-graduate student who shares his experience in doing research at one of the British universities.

I did my research on the REAP scientific exchange programme. I arrived in Britain for a 3-month visit which took place in February. It was my first experience in the country. I couldn’t help thinking of what my stay in Britain would be like and whether my knowledge of English would be sufficient.

At Gatwick airport I was met by Prof. Flowers, the programme’s coordinator from Kingston University.

From Gatwick airport the car brought us to the very center of London where we had a very pleasant walk, then we drove to the hotel where I was to stay.

The next morning Mr. Flowers arranged for me a visit to the University. He introduced me to the staff of the Law School. I was shown round, visited the local library.

Mr. Flowers himself is an excellent man, a capable and competent researcher. We spent a lot of time discussing different problems of mutual interest.

Law School was not very large. I found our research topics almost identical, but we used different approaches. It was as if we were doing the same by different means. Though I was practically given a free hand in the research, I tried to maintain permanent contacts with the Law School staff.

I must say I had a very busy time there. I was totally absorbed in my work. Time and efforts were necessary for writing reports and articles, getting the material ready for publication.

During the final weeks of my stay in England I worked against time trying to solve the remaining problems.

On the last day of my stay there my British colleagues gave a little farewell party for me. My supervisor made a speech. He spoke in very flattering terms about our collaboration.

I was glad to hear about the prospects of a series of exchange visits between our two Universities.

At the end I expressed my deep gratitude to all people who had worked with me for their valuable advice and assistance.

Notes:

REAP – Regional Academic Partnership Programme

Check your knowledge of the useful vocabulary on the topic in question.

научная стажировка

программа обмена

достаточные знания

останавливаться в отеле

организовать посещение

представить коллегам

компетентный исследователь

работать в сотрудничестве (с)

проблемы, представляющие взаимный интерес

проводить совместные исследования

применить иной подход

предоставить полную свободу действий

быть поглощенным работой

тщательно анализировать

готовить материал к изданию

просматривать периодические издания

работать не покладая рук

прощальная вечеринка

лестно отозваться

выразить благодарность

Any research visit is finalised with a report on the visit’s outcomes. The report is to contain answers to the following questions.

1. When did the visit take place? Where to?

2. What was the visit’s duration?

3. What was the visit aimed at? (to develop some issue, to study related problems, to test a new approach)

4. What activities were accomplished? (lectures/reports delivered, articles published, joint papers produced)

5. Any follow-up activities? (the results reported, presentations made, new developments in progress, the latest papers in the submission stage)

Reports on Studies

Read the following report. Pay attention to the verb forms
that are used.

I am studying for the Diploma in Economic Development at the department of Economics. It is a one-year course which consists of lectures, seminars, essay writing, and an examination at the end. I started the course at the beginning of October this year; it will finish in June next year.

So far, I have enjoyed the course. However, I have had two kinds of difficulties: one is following some of the lecturers – they speak quickly and not very clearly; the other difficulty is caused by the use of mathematics in economics. I have difficulty in understanding and doing some of the equations.

This term I have done two essays: they were quite long, and required a lot of reading in the library. Although I found it rather difficult to write the essays, I learned a lot, and received good marks for them. Next term I shall have to write another essay.

Study the following reports. Complete the reports by writing one or two words in each space.

A report on my studies

I am (1)_____ for an M.A. in (2)_____ in the Department of (3)______ . It is a one-year course which (4)_____ of lectures, seminars, essays, an examination, and a (5)_____. I (6)_____ the course at the (7)_____ of October last year; the examination will be in June this year, and the dissertation must be (8)_____ in September this year.

Generally, I have enjoyed the course and I feel that I (9)________ a lot, especially from the reading that I have (10)________ to do. At (11)________ I had some difficulties in (12)________ some of the (13)________: they spoke quickly and not (14)________ clearly. The main difficulty that I have this term is (15)________ my essays on time. There is so (16)________ reading to do for them and I still read (17)________.

I am not looking (18)________ to the examination as I have difficulty in writing quickly and (19)________ all the necessary facts. (20)________ I do not mind doing this dissertation (21)________ I have already (22)________ a subject that interests me.

Report on my research

I arrived at the university (1)________ the beginning of October last year to (2)________ my studies. I am (3)________ for a Master’s degree in Economics – M/A/ (Econ.) – by research. It will take me (4)________ one or two years to complete.

At the beginning of last term I discussed my research with my (5)________, Dr. M. Jones, in the Department of Economics. He (6)________ me to draw up a research outline in the area I had (7)________ for my research – ‘A case study in foreign aid to developing countries’. After further (8)________ with Dr. Jones my outline was approved and accepted by the Faculty of Economics.

My next (9)________ was to begin reading appropriate books, journals and reports (10)________ the background section of the research ‘A Study of the Literature’. My supervisor’s (11)________ was to keep a set of index cards and write the details of each (12)________ I read on a card. Thus I have started making a (13)________ which will be very useful for future reference. It will also (14)_______ me a lot of time when I need to provide one at the (15)________ of my thesis.

This term I have (16)_______ reading and have also made a draft of the first section of the (17)________, summarizing views on foreign aid to developing countries. I have also started to read (18)________ on the country I have chosen for my case study – Utopia. I have (19)________ that many of the World Bank and UN publications are (20)_______ to my research.

I am quite pleased with the (21)_______ I have made so far, although the reading is taking me longer than I (22)________. My supervisor asked me to present a paper on my research findings up to the present, to a small (23)________ of research students in economics. He was (24)________ with the paper and said that it was a good seminar as it had (25)________ a number of questions and a lot of discussion.