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Freeze or get frozen by Annemieke Winterink
While I was studying at the University for Professional Education in Deventer on the subject environmental technology I felt I was missing something. Even though I was specializing in nature, environment and landscape I wanted to do something more ecological but still with a link towards to “real” world. After finishing my bachelor in Deventer I came to Wageningen to do my masters in Forest and Nature conservation. There are two different specializations the first is more policy related and the second focuses on ecology. Since ecology has always had my interest I decided to choose the ecology specialization. Within ecology I found I was most interested in forest ecology and forest management. Because I had finished my bachelor in Holland with already a big amount of practical experience I could decide to either do an internship or take courses to fulfil the credits. Internships have always been more interesting for me than courses since you get to go outside and practise what you have learned so far.
Through the IFSA (International Forestry Students' Association) I found an opportunity to do an internship in Iceland. I decided to apply for the internship in Iceland even though the number of places was very limited, and guess what? I got accepted!! On the first of June I got into an airplane which would take me to Reykjavik the capital of Iceland. I really had the most amazing 4 months of my life. I worked for Skógrækt Ríkisins which is the Icelandic Forest Service. My work was very diverse, looking at management plans, planting trees, thinning trees and conducting research. I was working at different field stations all over the southern part of Iceland; this gave me the great opportunity to travel around a lot. I had been to Iceland before with my parents but working there is a bit different from visiting it during a holiday. I was working with students from Denmark, Poland, Germany and Iceland. During this period I got to experience how it is to be a real forester. They taught me how to use a chainsaw which is something they don’t teach you at university.
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While I was in Iceland I had to think about my Thesis. I didn’t know what I really wanted to do but I was always interested in both forest ecosystems and the role of animals in those systems. I talked to Jan den Ouden from the forest ecology and management chair group and he had a great project. During my master thesis I investigated the role of seed dispersal by wood mice and seed predation by wild boar in the “Speulderbos” which is a beautiful forest on the Veluwe. The fieldwork for my thesis was pretty tough. I worked in the forest for 4 months during the coldest period of the year. Rain, snow, frost and wind are some of the weather conditions I had to endure. But after working in Iceland for 4 months I was pretty well prepared for these harsh conditions. While working in the field it wasn’t always fun because of the frozen hands and feet but looking back I really enjoyed the project. The fieldwork was very extensive which meant I couldn’t do it on my own, my family, friends and an intern from Jordan help me with everything which was both handy and fun. I got to spend most of my days outside in this beautiful forest which really is a treat after following classes most of the year.
While I’m writing this I already graduated and I’m looking for a job. Hopefully I’ll find something in my field of interest.
I didn’t only study in Wageningen. While I’m staying here I was actively involved in the student rowing club (WSR Argo). During the first year I was an active rower, training 3 times a week and competing with my team in regional competitions. This last year I decided to become a coach which was the best thing I could have done. Together with Bernd Slesazeck I coached 6 terrific guys. I wasn’t only the coach but also the competitions steer of the guys. At the end of the season we won the highest competition possible; “my” guys won the national title for competition rowers.
After 2 years in Wageningen I’ll probably have to leave this great “city” behind to find a job. I’m a little bit sad to go because I have had a wonderful time here, hopefully so will you.
Many greetings,
Annemieke Winterink
(Ed. Annemieke found a job at Probos in Wageningen) |