Being a Visiting Scholar.
This past week has been defined by my role as a visiting scholar at Stanford. To provide some context, my time here involves joining faculty on projects, presentations, or research. However, I am also afforded the ability to “audit” classes if the faculty of said class is happy to oblige.
This means that if there are classes/lectures going on at Stanford, an email to ask if I can sit in usually is met with a gracious acceptance. So far, I’ve only asked to join DataSci112 – an introduction to Data Science.
As a relative novice to Python and Data Science frameworks, this course moves fast! It doesn’t help that I joined at the end of Week 5 of a 10 week course! I’ve spent most of my time trying to catch up so that I can partake on the Lab work in person, but there is a LOT to get through and it builds on previous lessons (as I found out trying to skip ahead).
In addition to my coursework, I’m observing clinical practices here to gather insights that I can bring back to Melbourne. There appear to be some low-hanging fruits that I plan to explore in the coming weeks. I’m also looking for ways to contribute to the AIM Lab, which has graciously supported my visit.
To top it all off, my wife is visiting for the next two weeks, so I’ll be playing tour guide and showing her around. All in all, it’s been a busy and exciting time—much busier than I anticipated!
It’s a bit odd that even though I’ve only been here 3 weeks, I am the “local” and have to show her around! I don’t know too many places or people here!
One thing I realised is just how quickly we become set in our own routines. I have all the flexibility in the world, but I find myself going to the same spot in the same library when I go to Stanford and already getting similar meals/coffee etc.
Being away from the daily grind has made me realise just how much of the “routine” is totally self-imposed. No one is making me do things here, but I suppose I am someone who falls into routines easily…
The things you learn, eh?