As a software research assistant at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Duncan was given the chance to work on the cutting edge of bio-informatics, a field that focuses on the computer analysis of biological data. "Bio-informatics is sort of a buzz wordright now, and I'm really excited that I had the chance to work in that field,"says Duncan.

Duncan was given the job of writing a new interface for a software program that is used by laboratory staff in the field of bio-informatics. "In simple terms, my job was to make a computer program look pretty so that people wouldn't be confused by it," says Duncan, who found his work very rewarding. "It's outrageous. People in labs are using my interface right now," he says.

The experience of living overseas was a positive one for Duncan, who said he met lots of new people and embraced the local social culture. "The people in Dublin are ridiculously friendly and there are a lot of foreigners. There was a really welcoming pub culture," he says, adding that not having homework was a big plus. During his work term, Duncan also had a chance to rent a car and to drive up and downthe Irish coast. The beautiful scenery and the quaint little towns he came across amazed him.

Now in his final year at UVic, Duncan has continued to work part-time for TCD, and the company has offered him a job once he graduates. He finds the freedom of working from home relaxing, and likes the idea of moving back to Ireland. Though his future plans are still up in the air, Duncan is happy that he was introduced to the field of bio-informatics and is excited about his prospects. He's mulling whether he wants to attend graduate school or to get his career started. Either way, his co-operative education experience has given him the tools he needs totake the next step.

"I'm excited to see what's next," he says.