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Bc. Anna Klouzkova, UCT Prague,

ročník 1

About the country

Location of the place

Aristotle University, on the center of Thessaloniki

City

Thessaloniki

Surroundings (possible trips, ...)

Thessaloniki itself is beautiful, with the beaches of Epanomi, Peraia, Halkidiki, Mount Olympus nearby, and Lake Kerkini to the north. Further around, Vergina and the Meteora monastery.

Employer

I worked in a lab in AuTh with my supervisor and other PhD students or PostDocs. Honestly, I've never had such a great team of colleagues.

Work description

The work was focused on a preparation and characterization of catalysts with various zeolitic support materials, basic characterization and testing. As a chemistry student, I had the opportunity to try out the practical knowledge gained at the Czech university. In general, the working hours ranged from nine to five.

Salary (sufficient for local conditions?)

The rent was three-quarters of my salary, leaving a hundred euros a month for pocket money.

Language requirements

I would say B2, but what was needed is the ability to communicate with a supervisor and be able to get the job done. So the C2 makes the process easier.

Accommodation (price, who provided it)

The price was 294 euros per month. IAESTE members found it for me and help me to get there the first day. It was an apartement little bit far form the city center but very nice, calm, clean and with a very kind landlady.

Social life

Meeting IAESTE members (pick-up at the airport, organized events...)

IAESTE members, Nathalia and Chloe, were the first people I met in Thessaloniki. They helped me find accommodation, picked me up at the airport. They showed me the city, we went to Mount Olympus together. All in all, I met with IAESTE members at least once a week for coffee or a drink.

Meeting other foreign students

I also joined ESN in Thessaloniki. This year there are about 500 international students, mainly from Europe. They organized a lot of events in the city, but not only there.

Sport and culture

There is no denying that the coastline from the center to the concert hall in Thessaloniki is the best place. Culture = amazing. The city is full of historical monuments surrounded by contemporary Greek life, ironic but impressive.

Food, local specialties

Wonderful. There are tavernas, pubs, bars or cafeterias everywhere. Greeks are foodies, and so will you be as well when you've been here two months.

Other information

Possibilites to communicate with the Czech Republic

It's not so far :) the flight from Prague takes around 90minutes. A few friends came to visit me. If not, phone calls were always an option.

Recommendations for students who will go to the same place

Besides everything I have already written, I can only recommend it for longer time than two months.

What not to forget with you

Revolut card :D and swimming dress

Benefits of the internship

Advantage to meet local people and other foreign students, to get to know life in a foreign country, to live by the sea for a while when we don't have it in the Czech Republic.

Cooperation with IAESTE in the foreign country

without any problems

Overall experience with IAESTE

I waited almost three months for the Czech answer whether I was accepted or not. I was looking for a job at the time and it got a bit complicated. But in the end I am glad that everything worked out well and I thank IAESTE.