How did you discover the Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard University (RCC)?
Through the vice-principal's office of International Relationships of the Universitat de València, which sent a proclamation about an informative session in order to get to know the RCC at Harvard.  In this session, Manuel Guillén, who is the representative of the Universitat de València in this institution, talked about the different possibilities that the RCC would offer to the University staff and about the grants to do research stays in centres of the Harvard University.

What led you to apply for the grant of long-term stays in the RCC at Harvard?
After attending this session, for me, applying for this grant was almost an imperative.  The requirements of the convocation matched with my academic profile and with my qualifications, so it seemed to me that I could not waste an exceptional opportunity. From my point of view, doing a research stay in a so prestigious university like Harvard, was the culmination of the research activity which I carried out for years.

Could you explain to me the main points of your research?
I was developing a research focused on the participative democracy and on the citizen’s collaboration with the public powers in the exercise of their functions and I had already published works about this topic.  That was the reason of my interest in analysing the direct democracy mechanisms stipulated in the USA legislation, since this country has a long-term tradition on citizenship initiatives and referendums as a way to pass, modify and derogate norms.  In particular, I was interested in the application of initiatives and referendums in localities, because at this level the democratic mechanisms have existed even before they were recognised and applied by the State. As a result of the diversity and the scope of the regulations in the different states, I focused my research on the legislation of Massachusetts.

What your stay at Harvard University could have contributed to your research?
Well, overall, it helped me to have a widener and more empiric perspective.  I did my research activity as a visiting researcher in the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation. This centre is absolutely active and many worldwide relevant scholars and figures go through it.  When they participated, each of them gave their personal point of view of the challenges of democracy in their countries and of the circumstances that currently erode the performance of their democratic systems.  Somehow, that allows you to broaden your horizons and to apply the theoretical knowledge to reality.
My stay allowed me to get in touch with the lecturers and researchers whose works I had already read as they are referent in the democratic government field and the participative democracy, and I had as well easy access to the legal documents and the bibliographic material related to the topic of my research.   The Library System of the University of Harvard is absolutely efficient, the different centres are well connected, the access to the materials is easy and simple, and, of course, the Widener Library is legendary.

How would you assess your grant in the RCC in general terms?
It was an extraordinarily positive academic and life experience, which allowed me to satisfy an aspiration and a personal challenge, of whose achievement I am proud. I am also grateful to the Universitat de València and to the RCC.

What was the most positive of your stay?
It is difficult to choose the most positive facts, because, as I said, It was a comprehensive experience.  If I had to point out something, I think that the most positive fact would be the perception of taking part in an university community so prestigious like Harvard, a university of the "ivy league”, and awareness that I could not have been in a better place for my research and my professional activity.  Apart from that, the complete immersion in the legal English was also an important point of my stay.

I el més dur?
The hardest part was the preparation of the scholarship. The call was very specific on the requirements to obtain the help, and I had to work very hard for them during the previous months.  On the one hand, I had to prepare for an English exam (TOEFL) which I needed to pass with a high mark. The way it works alone is difficult, so one needs to prepare for it very thoroughly. In addition to it, in order to be able to compete in the scholarship, I had to first obtain the condition of “visiting fellow” in a centre or faculty at Harvard.  In order to do so, I had to prepare a research project which I submitted, along with my CV, to the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation.
It also comes with great responsibility because, even though I was doing the residence as an individual researcher, I was somehow representing the Universitat de València and I wanted to meet expectations.
On the personal level, it goes without saying that distance and separation from family entail a relevant emotional implication.  In despite of that, I must admit that academic and cultural activity at Harvard is unceasing and that helps in filling that void.

Would you repeat the experience?
Of course, out of hand.

What would you say to the colleges who are thinking about applying for grant like yours?
Well, I would say to them that we are privileged since we have the institutional support guaranteed by the agreement between the Universitat de València and the Real Colegio Complutense. Thus, we could opt to develop our research in a so prestigious university like Harvard.   Without any doubt, I would say to them the same that I said to me then: we cannot lose opportunities like this one.

What future perspectives has the grant given to you?
This grant has allowed me to include a very important distinction in my curriculum, as well as in my academic and professional career.  People pay you more attention when they read that you have had the opportunity of being in Harvard. Actually, thanks to this fact I have been able to take part in an international project that otherwise would have been inaccessible for me.  Additionally, thanks to the grant I have known a large number of researchers and I have had the opportunity of being in contact with prestigious academicians of fields that I find very interesting. They have told me about their opinions and ideas, and I will take advantage of them in the future. Academically speaking, I has been immersed in legal English, which will be very useful for any plan that I have in the future.