Lodz is centrally located in Poland, making it an ideal base for exploring the country. Its central position allows for convenient travel to major cities like Warsaw, Krakow, and Wroclaw, all within a few hours by train.

Lodz is a dynamic city with a rich industrial heritage. It offers a mix of historical architecture and modern developments. The public transportation is efficient, making it easy to explore different parts of the city. There are plenty of cultural attractions, parks, and dining options to enjoy. Overall, Lodz is a vibrant and convenient place to live and work.

The surroundings of Lodz offer many opportunities for day trips and exploration. Piotrkowska Street, one of the longest commercial streets in Europe, is a must-visit with its shops, restaurants, and lively atmosphere. Manufaktura, a large shopping and entertainment complex, provides a variety of activities including shopping, dining, and cultural events. Additionally, the nearby areas offer beautiful parks and as I mentioned earlier, the city is also well-connected to other major Polish cities, making it easy to explore more of the country during weekends.

I was employed by the Medical Univesity of Lodz, more precisely by the Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. I was very satisfied with the employer, I was given meaningful tasks that allowed me to develop my skills and gain valuable experience.

My work was focused on the analysis of factors related to cancer at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels. I was able to try out several different molecular techniques, from nucleic acid isolation to their analysis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time quantitative PCR. Another interesting task was the determination of vitamins A and E in serum and plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Most of my time was spent on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), often followed by the western blot technique. I worked with one colleague from Poland, with whom we soon formed a good team, and with the occasional help or advice from our supervisor, we succeeded with every task.

Sufficient, especially since the accommodation was free.

English was sufficient for all professional interactions and daily tasks. I can also understand some Polish, so there was no problem in communication.

The accommodation was provided by IAESTE and was a dormitory with a room for two. It was free of charge, which was a great benefit. The facilities were adequate and contributed to a comfortable living experience during my internship.

I was picked up at the train station and led to the dorm. Later I met other members, mostly on the IAESTE meetings.

I met other international students in my dorm and also at some events/meetings.

There are numerous gyms (the dormitory gym was for free), also many parks for outdoor activities. The city has many theaters, museums, art galleries. There are many options.

I tried a few local specialties, and they were all delicious. Pierogi and zapiekanki stood out as my favorites.

Facebook, Whatsapp and other apps without any trouble.

Enjoy every moment and try to see everything you can.

Maybe some kitchen equipment, but it depends on the accomodation.

Great professional experience, amazing people, new friends.

Everyone was helpful, answered every question and solved every problem.