Since September 2010 Johan van Zyl has been a full time student at the Centre de Geostatistique in Fontainebleau, France, where he aims to obtain a post graduate diploma in geostatistics (CFSG). Johan returned to Cape Town late in March to complete his mini-thesis but will be flying back to Fontainebleau in June 2011 to attend his “soutenance”. Despite a lengthy period away from home Johan has enjoyed being exposed to a different culture and has benefitted greatly from his geostatistical studies. Z* look forward to utilising Johan’s increased skills base in a number of the major projects the company is undertaking.