My name is Beatriz and, since 2022, I am a PhD candidate from the Pontificial University of Madrid in the Faculty of Law, specifically, in the field of Employment Law. Since the very beginning of my research I intended to do some kind of research in a foreign university because I have always had a deep belief in the personal and professional growth of working abroad. After researching for the last four months (Feb.-May 2024) in Maynooth University, I have been more convinced of that. By the time I write this it has almost been a month since I have come back from Ireland to my home University. I think I have had time enough time to assimilate properly how my experience as a visiting PhD student was.
In my thesis, I will consider whether the state of health of a worker should be considered a protected ground covered by the Non-discrimination right. Once this purpose has been reached, I will explain the consequences of the application non-discrimination prohibition at the different stages of the employment relationship. For instance, questions such as “can a worker be dismissed for getting sick?” or “can a person be excluded from a recruitment process because they are ill?” will be answered. In doing so, I study the legal framework of anti-discrimination including at international and European level. My research in Maynooth has been extremely productive. Not only because of the quality of the academic literature I have read, but also because of the richness of discovering different perspectives of study on the same topic.
Moreover, the academic life is very active. I found that there were an incredibly high number of academic events to attend. Considering I was only in Maynooth for a few months, there were a wide variety of activities, including workshops, academic conversations, conferences, all of them with exciting topics. I even had the chance to present a brief review of my thesis! Furthermore, PhD student life is also full of initiatives which allowed me to meet with other young researchers and fight against the solitude that is sometimes implied when writing a doctoral and theoretical dissertation.
Maynooth University is located in the historical city of Maynooth, not so far from Dublin. There, the working atmosphere is an excellent result of the harmony that is created between the university buildings and the surrounding nature. It is equipped with many academic facilities that make the day-to-day life very comfortable. Nonetheless, if I had I to single out one thing about Maynooth University, it would be is its personnel who kindly helped me at all times.
Last, but not least, and linked with my previous words about the enjoyable experience I had, I must mention how friendly and warm the PhD students were. I always counted on them and I felt that I was never felt alone. It was not just the social aspect, I am pretty sure that the fellowship also contributed to a great academic experience.
On the whole, if you are thinking on visiting a foreign university as a PhD student visitor, do not hesitate to do so, especially considering the academic and personal value it will bring. In my experience, Maynooth University and its Law Faculty may be the perfect host university for it.
