Hi there!!
It has been a long time since I last wrote. To tell you how long, I was surprised to find out that my previous blog doesn’t exist anymore.
I was an undergrad writing about my research experiences back then, today I’m a graduate student in perfumery and whoa! life is exciting here.
After a brief stint as an Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, University of Colombo (where I met and tutored an amazing bunch of students), I’m here as a graduate student at ISIPCA (Institut Supérieur International du Parfum, de la Cosmétique et de l’Aromatique alimentaire) the famed Perfumery School in France.
It has been a life changing experience to be studying in France with an awesome set of fellow students from all over the world and to get to know more about the perfume industry by living it! Even though I’m based in Versailles which is a royal city in France I’m constantly exposed to the GLAM in Paris and unforgettable experiences at shopping malls (Not to shop really, but to visit all the perfume stalls just to smell all my favourite perfumes on the strips)!
It was as a kid that I developed a subconscious interest in perfumery, smelling my mom wearing all the perfumes my dad used to get her. Eventually when I made it to university to study chemistry, I learned that pH chemistry was not in the schedule and was not taught in any of the course work (an area very important in perfumery). Therefore I knew I had to figure out my way if I needed to go forward in the field. I took to Organic Chemistry and now I’m so happy that I’m continuing my studies in perfumery which is very much related to chemistry and a perfect blend between science and creativity!
However it has been quite tight regarding the course work. Heaps of reports and bundles of papers and of course lots to memorize! Including smells of raw materials and 100s of famous perfumes!! :-D Well it’s not so much fun when you need to smell accurately at an exam! All you’ve to blame is your poor nose at the end. Ha ha!
It has been an amazing 5 months so far! And I’m ready to go ahead. But I have to admit I miss home and my part time job as a radio host!
Will keep you posted on the latest from France :-D In perfumery studies of course!
Ready to go out for a jog in the cold in my new sweater from Decathlon,
Melani Fernando 
