Macau is the Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is an autonomous region on the western side of the Pearl River estuary in East Asia. Macau was colony of Portuguese Empire from the mid-16th century until 1999, when it constituted the last remaining European colony in Asia.

Population of city is 650,900. The population density of Macau is 21,411/km2, which is one of the highest in the world. Macau consists of the Macau Peninsula itself where most of the people live and the islands of Taipa and Coloane, which are now connected by landfill forming Cotai, where the newest casinos are built. Peninsula borders the Zhuhai Special Economic Zone in mainland China. In Macau Peninsula, you can find most of the historical monuments. In the island, you can find a lot of world known casinos and interesting nightclubs. Besides casinos, there are few small hills, suitable for hiking and great temple. On south of the island are two beaches. It is great place for BBQ, not for swimming - the sea is muddy because of river. Weather is quite hot with high humidity around 90% in rain season. In summer temperature is around 30°C and in winter temperature drastically decrease to 28°C. Summer is partially rainy (Sunny - one-hour strong rain - sunny), frankly it is refreshing sometimes. Local currency is Macau Pataca. It is valid only in Macau. You can pay also with Hong Kong dollars (1 HKD = 1,03 MOP). Surprisingly casinos in Macau accept only HKD. Almost everything important from Macau can be seen in one weekend.

This is absolutely the best of Macau. You have lot of opportunities to travel. Macau is only 65 km far away from Hong Kong, one of the greatest cities in the world. The best way how to get there is to take speed ferry. It departs every 15 minutes and the journey takes only 50 minutes. Cheapest price I've seen was 165 MOP single journey. They are also building bridge across the sea, so maybe in next year will be even faster connection to HK. HK is great for its skyscrapers, historical monuments, wild nature, beaches, sea. I was there for 4 times.

We also travelled to mainland China. I recommend getting VISA in advance in your country. Chinese are changing rules every year, so this year, we couldn't get an ordinary visa in Macau. At least you can get special visa in the boarders, which is reduced only for Zhuhai city for 3 days. It costs approximately 150 Chinese yuan. Be aware, that prices are different for each nationality. We went to Zhuhai and Guangzhou. I recommend seeing Guangzhou at least once in your life. It is quite shocking and fascinating.

Another great thing is that you can find cheap flights from Macau and Hong Kong. We did a trip to Hanoi in Vietnam and to Taipei in Taiwan.

After end of my internship I had two weeks of holidays in Krabi and Bangkok in Thailand.

University of Macau, Faculty of Science and Technology, Automotive Engineering Laboratory

Research of optimal engine's parameters for racing cars. Replace of original ECU with new MoTec ECU and developing of new software for setting and controlling these parameters. Laboratory assistant

6400 MOP. Totally sufficient even for travelling around.

Medium communicative English. In university, professors, doctors, lab assistants and administrative workers could speak fluently in English. Also, security (mostly from Philippines) could speak in English. The rest of Chinese university staff had horrible English. In the city almost nobody could speak English except casinos staff. However, it wasn't any problem to order in restaurants, shop in shops or travel by busses. Most of Macau signs have English version.

The accommodation was provided by University of Macau. I lived in university campus. My room was situated in postgraduate house. I shared it with one roommate. The rooms have AC, fridge, wardrobes, beds, tables... and their own toilet with shower.

The accommodation was for free. They charge people only after outreach electricity or water limits. So, don't use AC all day. We used it only during the night and we payed nothing.

Local IAESTE leader Patrick and his assistants must care about even more groups of interns. So, their IAESTE work is just one part of their job. Patrick is paid and kind person. We were always in touch by messenger. He also helped me when I needed to visit a doctor during the weekend.

They sent us to guide documents for basic information and arrival instructions. That helped a lot, and I didn't need any pick up at the ferry terminal.

This year IAESTE organized one traditional lunch (and one dinner after my leave) with all trainees and our supervisors.

It was easy. We had a group chat together from beginning. We were accommodated in three neighbor buildings, so we met every evening after work. This was the best thing about internship. We became best friends and we did everything together (trips, parties, BBQs, sports and so on).

Campus had big sport centre. You can find there a big swimming pool, gym, table tennis room, playground for basketball, football, badminton, squash and everything you can imagine. Really great equipped facilities for free.

Food in campus is nothing special. I preferred eating outside in the city. There was plenty of good Chinese food. Prices are little bit higher than in Czech Republic.

Via internet, WIFI. I also sent postcards from campus. One for 5 MOP.

I highly recommend thinking about what you want to see. You should plan your trips in advance. Because you can buy return fly ticket from different place. That is how I spent two weeks in Thailand and my friend one month in Philippines. I bought fly ticket to Hong Kong, then after end of my internship, I bought ticket to Thailand. I returned from Bangkok and it was even cheaper (emirates) than return ticket from HK. You can also pick a different time of flight from your stopover destinations. I chose 18 hours stop in Dubai instead of 3 hours. So, you can enjoy visiting Burj Khalifa as I did. However, be prepared for desert's heat in summer.

About your luggage. In HK airport you don't need to collect it. You can just pay for ferry and go directly from airport to Macau. Then you will get your luggage in Macau. However, ferries are leaving every 2 hours and the first one is on 11 AM. So, you can consider passing passport control and collecting your luggage. Then you can take bus A11 from airport to Macau Ferry Terminal stop in center of Hong Kong. Only 4 stops and 50 minutes to get there. It costs (40 HKD exactly, no change or return of money in bus - Once I told my friends it costs 4 HKD...they still hate me for it :D ). From this terminal ferry leaves every 15 minutes nonstop.

Consider apllication for China visa in your homecountry. (Macau, HK and Tai-wan are without visas for us).
Think about hiking in Hong Kong nature....it is awesome!

Traditional souvenir from our country for your colleagues. I took cookies and bottle of griotka to my supervisor.

Take bottle/bottles of good Czech alcohol. Your future friends will appreciate it for sure. Pro-tip number 1: Airport in HK allows to bring with you only 1-liter alcohol with strength above 30%. Nobody controlled me, so it is up to you, but I followed the rules. I took 1 litre of 40% Slivovice and other 4 bottles of weaker stuff... Yeah, my suitcase weighed 28 kg, but you don't have to be that extreme. :D

Beers are generally good, mostly only in cans and little bit expensive. So, be prepared!
Take umbrella! It is rainy season in summer.
Take sport shoes, you will love sport center in campus.
Do not forget one sweater, because all Asians are crazy about air conditioning. I had 20° in my lab. Also take long pants and I recommend one shirt with long sleeve - You want to look cool in casinos and clubs.
Take sunscreen and swimsuit! HK's beaches are waiting!
Money! You need to survive somehow before your first payment.
Probiotics. The food in Asia is different than in Europe.

Oh man, everything! I got new amazing friend, awesome experience from travels and parties, which I will never forget. It was the best summer ever!!!
You can experience Chinese culture and discover difference between mainland China and two other cities influenced by Europeans for hundreds of years. You can earn money, sufficient for following travels. You can taste local food and beverages. You can train your English and get better. You can try how it feels to play in world-famous casino, or if you are brave enough, you can try highest bungee jump in the world!
Everyone took something slightly different from this internship, but you can be sure it is worth it!

Awesome! Without reminders.