Sergio Clavero, a PhD student at the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS), University of Navarra, is completing a three-month research stay in the Department of Sociology at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Milan, Italy).

The researcher is completing a double doctorate in Philosophy and Sociology through an agreement between the University of Navarra and the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. As he explained, "One of the main requirements is that Navarra doctoral students who have mostly concentrated on philosophy attend seminars on sociology in Milan. I did so in the first half of this year and, if all goes well, will go back the second half of next year. "

Sergio related that the Italian academic center works with some of the most important texts from the great sociologists (Durkheim, Weber) and he is also working with some professors to implement a sociological element in his thesis. As he said, "Since I just started the PhD I am still in the definition phase, for which I find these professors' advice very helpful." On the other hand, he will have to find a co-director for his thesis at the Italian campus, which is another requirement of the agreement.

An enriching stay

This PhD student is part of the Emotional Culture and Identity project, which is funded by the insurance company Zurich. He highlighted that this research stay allows him to complete his academic training "with a new sociological perspective and a deeper understanding of important authors." In this regard, he noted that he is taking on "a more interdisciplinary approach." He also highlighted that this research gives him the opportunity to "learn a new language firsthand, Italian, and study and read at an unhurried pace."

As Clavero added, "Research stays give you another perspective, especially if you choose a location that allows you to complement what you find at your home university. In addition, you can create contacts with professors and leading researchers with whom you can debate and they give more direct access to recent discoveries, to the great topics of discussion on the international level, etc."

With regard to life in Milan, Sergio emphasized that "it is a pleasant city with wide streets, parks ... it has interesting places to see, without being overbearing. You can visit the sights more calmly than in Rome, for example." It also ensures that "being in a different culture and with different people is enriching."