Michal is one of the roughly 200 Polish students who participated in exchange studies in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the Polish Scholarship programme last year. Read more about his experience below:
Why did you decide to participate in the exchange?
I decided to participate in the exchange through the Scholarship Fund because I knew that it would improve my skills and give me more opportunities to find better job in international market. Additionally, the participation in the exchange program allowed me to discover the beautiful country of Norway, especially Trondheim and its surroundings.
What knowledge and skills do you feel that you gained during your exchange that you wouldn’t have otherwise?
The most important skills I learned during my exchange were controlling and carrying out the experiments on the modern test facility, the R744 transcritical refrigeration system with multi-ejector expansion pack, in SINTEF/NTNU laboratory. I was able to use my knowledge in practice on the real system, which is impossible to do on my home institution. I have likewise been in contact with the biggest world leading companies in refrigeration specification such as SINTEF Energy Efficiency, Danfoss, and Enex during my traineeship at NTNU. After I graduate from my master’s programme, I will be a PhD candidate in an international project funded by the Norwegian Research Council, an opportunity I would not have had without the participation in this exchange program.
Do any events or experiences from your stay really stand out in your memory?
My most interesting story happened on 10 May, when my girlfriend arrived to Trondheim to visit me. I was very happy that she was visiting and she did not know that I had planned a surprise. We walked through the centre of Trondheim, along the coast to the really beautiful port, where we found docked yachts and an amazing old-fashioned lighthouse. After that we hiked up the hills on the Bymarka - one of the highest mountain in Trondheim area. Unfortunately, the shelters were closed on the way, so we were hungry and exhausted. Then, I found a beautiful place on the lake Baklidammen. We were alone, the place was wonderful, so I decided that it was the best place. I fell down on my knee and asked her if she wanted to marry me. She was shocked, but with tears in eyes she said yes and it was the most beautiful day in my (and her!) life.
Did you get involved in any extra-curricular activities or pursue any special interests while you were there?
I participated in some events lead by the DNV GL- Fuel Fighter company about the new prototype car for the Eco-Shell Marathon race which was designed and assembled at NTNU. I likewise attended student social events like the international food festival.