Lodž is situated in the midle of Poland. Sadly, the distance from the sea, mountains or a border is quite far so it takes at least a day to make a trip. It is although possible to visit other Polish city for a weekend. We could also attend the IAESTE weekend programes.

Unlike other Polish city, Lodž doesn´t have a proper historic centre. There is no old square, old town or so. As an industrial centre Lodž hosted textile factories for most of its history. Today, the original historic complex of buildings where once the factories were, is nicely renovated and diverse shops and pubs can be found there. It keeps its original brick architecture and it´s a nice spot to stay for an evening. They call it Manufaktura.
There is also a long beautiful avenue leading from Manufaktura - Piotrkowska street. Large amount of bars, pubs, pizza places, coffehouses and shops are situated there. Even though some other nice pubs can be also found around the city, it si basically the only place to hang out for a beer.
There are quite a lot of museums in Lodž presenting history of the textile production, modern art, planetarium etc. I particularly enjoyed the Technology and Science museum which is very interactive.

I made several trips to other cities (Wroclaw, Poznan, Krakow). There are also other very interesting cities that I haven´t visited (Gdansk for instance). But I can´t call it sourroundings. I didn´t find any particullarly interesting place outside the town to go for the afternoon.
With some other IAESTE trainees and our Polish friend we made a trip to Rock´n´Pole festival in Kostrzyn nad Odra. They say it´s today´s Woodstock. It´s one of the biggest festivals in Europe. The entrance is free and there are loads of visitors. Despite that, the atmosphere is very friendly. Also the line-up of the festival is very interesting and the prices of the food and beer are low.

I was employed by the Medical Univesity of Lodž. It has both pros and cons to be employed by a university. During the summer holidays most of the assistants are on the vacation or simply don´t spend much time in the laboratory. As a result, I worked about three hours a day and had some days off. Some of my friends didn´t do an actual work at all. In comparation with those employed by a private company, I had a very simple life.

I worked with several types of cancer cells. I made the passages and changed the medium every day. Once a week we made a cytotoxicity experiment. We tested a compound to verify its inhibitory effects by using a resazurin test.

It was sufficient. If I think of actual time spent in work, it was more than sufficient.

I spoke English in laboratory with my supervisor, although I can also understand some Polish. Everybody in work speaks English on sufficiant level.

I was accomodted in the students´ dormitory right next to my workplace. It was a big advantage for me since I didn´t have to travel to work. The building of dormitory is new and well furnished. There are units of four rooms, each room for two students.There is a fitted kitchen, fridge, two toilets and a shower in each unit. It all is well working and nice.
Behind the building there is a set of outdoor workout machines and tables for table tenis.
The accomodation was for free for IAESTE trainees.

I was picked up at the main station and led to my accomodation. Apart from that I didn´t meet with my buddy much. There was one member of local IAESTE committee who took care of me and my friends very much. She spent a lot of time with us on trips and she was providing everything needed.

I shared a unit with the guys from Austria, Sweden, Equador, Brazil, Kazachstan and Croatia. Not all of them at a time, they changed during the six weeks. There is also another dormitory in Lodž where the students from technical university are accomodated. We visited each other quite often and had a good time together. In Lodž there were about 30 other trainees throughout my stay.

There was a targer range close to my dormitory. Some of my friends went there to try some shooting.
In several city parks there are open air cinemas wich provide spectacles free of charge.
There is a web of city bikes. You can download the app, you pay about 20 zlotys as an entrance fee and then you can borrow the bikes placed in many public placs in the city. The technical state of the bikes is good. First 20 minutes of a ride is free, then you pay 1 zloty for every hour. That means that if you change the bike every 20 minutes, you ride for free.

In Poland Milk bars are very popular. You can get a traditional soup zurek or other specialities for very low prices. Polish people also have their own "fast food" called zapiekanka. it´s a baked baguette with tomatos, onions, mashrooms meat, anything you want. Zapiekankas are sold in several places in every Polish city and they serve as a cheap and quite healthy possibility to eat out.
For Lodž particullary you might try a typical doughnout for 3 zlotys sold in Manufaktura.

In the dormitory there is no wifi provided. However, me and my friends in the unit shared a private wifi router. The phone signal coverage is everywhere.

Museum od Thechnology and Science
Piotrkowska street
Piotrkowska off - a nice hipster spot to hang out
Milk bars - possibility to eat traditional Polish food for low prices

Poland is not wild west. Be prapared for normal central European weather.

I made some international and Polish friends who I keep in touch with. I also get to know Poland and its peolple. And I have some good tips to go in the future.

It was rather poor. If it haven´t been for our Polish friend, the only IAESTE member who took care, I would miss some information.