During my stay at Montanuniversität Leobenin Austria, supported by the CEEPUS EURO Geo-Sci mobility program, I had the opportunity to benefit from an enriching academic and research experience, for which I am truly grateful. Thanks to the support of this program and the warm welcome from the academic staff, I was actively involved in activities directly related to my PhD studies in Albania. My main research focused on the mineralogical and petrographic analysis of phosphorite samples from Albania, aiming to determine their formation conditions. I attended specialized courses such as Microfacies of Carbonates, Basin Evolution and Sedimentary Environments, and Laboratory Work in Carbonate Sedimentology, which deepened my understanding of carbonate depositional systems and sedimentary basin dynamics. Through hands-on work with carbonate thin sections, I gained valuable experience in on preparation process of thin sections—from cutting and polishing to mounting and photographing samples. A key milestone during my exchange was delivering my first presentation related to my PhD research, which allowed me to share my work, receive constructive feedback, and engage in meaningful scientific discussions. This mobility experience not only enhanced my technical and scientific skills but also boosted my confidence and motivation as a young researcher, playing a significant role in shaping the future direction of my PhD journey.
Msc. Eng. Fatma Sinaj