Here, participants in the Voluntary Scientific Year (FWJ) report on their experiences in the Perioperative Inflammation and Infection working group at the University of Oldenburg.

Where are you employed and what are your areas of responsibility?

We work in the "Perioperative Inflammation and Infection" working group under the direction of Prof Theilmeier. As our laboratory is not yet fully completed, we are currently mainly working on the computer and carrying out measurements. However, we have already been on business trips to Groningen and Göttingen, where we were able to familiarise ourselves with working in the laboratory.

Why did you decide to do a Voluntary Scientific Year?

We decided to do the Voluntary Year of Science in order to become more confident in our choice of academic appointment or study programme.

What do you think you will gain from this year?

The year has enabled us to gain a better and more authentic insight into everyday scientific life.

What have you learnt so far during your voluntary service?

We have been able to improve our language skills by attending the English course and reading papers in English. We are now also more familiar with the thematic aspects of atherosclerosis.

Why are you doing your voluntary service at the University of Oldenburg of all places?

The University of Oldenburg is one of the few universities that offers this kind of voluntary service. We also found the various projects very interesting and appealing.

What advice would you give to future volunteers?

Exchange ideas with other volunteers and work colleagues to make new contacts and gain lots of new impressions. We would also recommend that you take advantage of the university's programme to gain an initial insight into university life.