Education fairs in Kiev 2013

This year I had one more chance to participate in Education Fairs in Kiev and represent my university. We did a great job – it was quite hard, but what I saw is that my University is advertising itself with the reputation and long history. It felt extremely nice when people were starting the question with the remark “my friend is already studying at UE Katowice… and I would also like to join, what should I do?”. And as I know only UE Katowice has the program to give the scholarships to Ukrainian students – well good students should be rewarded. I hope that in year 2014 even more Ukrainians will start their studying path with us. That’s what I did over 5 years ago – and it was worth it.

Of course Kiev is not only working for us – afterwards we went to see the ballet by Prokofiev “Romeo and Juliet”. Kiev is an amazing city – the cradle of orthodoxy. And it’s one of my favorites. This year unfortunately I didn’t have chance to visit the city, I did it two years ago. And great memories remained.  

Event at BASF “Reality Loves Visionaries”

One thing that made me extremely upset is that I was the only representative from Poland – the only, only. There were numerous people from Germany, France, Spain, Italy, UK, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary. The diversity of nationalities was even bigger, cause representative from EU universities were out of EU – so was I and: guy from Cameroon, girl from Colombia, some Americans, Canadians, some girls from Mainland China, Taiwanese, Indians, Ukrainians, Russians.
This was one of the greatest conference I have ever participated – not only because all costs were covered – but the main reason is that I saw how many opportunities students from UE have. It is so easy to reach the goal and find a dream job – easier than ever. During the event we met top managers, board of directors members. People were great, welcoming and told us everything about the company. Those kind of events makes you want to work for the company. Everything seems to be so attractive and amazing. After 5 years at the university suddenly I realized that “that is the point” of all my field of study. I did international business, so here I am at the greatest event run by international company – perfect match.
There were about hundred students, about thirty BASF’s employees and all of us shared our opinions, asked questions and so on. First day was really “orientation” day. We checked in to the Marriott hotel and at 2 p.m. the bus picked us up:
We went to Ludwigshafen – the city, where 80% is actually BASF’s plants. You enter the company area and it’s huge. They have their own street names for ex. “Methanolstrasse” – all connected with chemistry. :D
After the Chemical-city tour we were welcomed in a huge ballroom. Mr. Wayne did the opening for us, then we could ask some questions. Of course I couldn’t help to ask about “cross-cultural” issue. After all we had a great dinner and then started the party – all cocktails were delicious as I can remember, maybe beside sweet mojito.
The nest day, so on Tuesday we had an early breakfast and then were taken to the company headquarter building – also located in Heidelberg. That day we could talk personally with BASFs’ most important workers and after we participated in some workshops: three parallel sessions were done three times, so all in all nine. Of course it was hard to choose one of three. When I chose “HR session” I had to give up “marketing topic”. All of workshops were conducted by division manager and we got brief information strictly about division work. All event finished at about 5 p.m. and some of us left to the airport or mail station. So that is how students start their career in Europe. Great idea and great results.

Getting prepared to thesis defense at Pyrzowice Airport 

My flight to Frankfurt - and here I could browse through BASF report

BASF - press 

Our hotel, most comfortable beds ever :D

Inside the press building

Ludwigshafen - Chemical city

Still in Ludwigshafen - out bus tour

Group of potential BASF employees :D

Workshops 

Presentation

some "get together" 

5 min. in Heidelberg - old town 

Couple of hours in Frankfurt

As I came from Heidelberg to Frankfurt in morning and my fight was late at night I took a chance to see the beauty of Frankfurt. Very huge city, where modernity is perfectly combined with tradition.

Mansions of Heidelberg

Extremely lovely, small German town – though not that traditional “German town” as I thought. I was amazed by the city, where everything seems to be so peaceful, people are not in a rush, students are walking with smile. Somehow Germany seemed to be a completely different than I was imagining. I was in Berlin before and in Frankfurt, and that’s what it is – we usually define the country by the capital cities, or those big business-centers. When we think about Germany we know Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne, Dortmund but the clue of the real culture is in minimalism. The real Germany is everywhere else but not in Frankfurt or Hamburg – which only has a part of cultural heritage usually locked up in museums and in local restaurants. The real Germany is in Heidelberg – unique people, totally different behavior, nice atmosphere and no rush…

So I just had a quick chance to visit the Altstadt and walk a bit along the riverside. That’s where I saw those beautiful mansions – stunning place. I thought that everything in Germany suppose to be simple, solid and arranged according to a certain order. That is what people think about Germany: “Ordnung” is crucial. When I saw the area along the river, I suddenly recalled Capri island in Italy – those huge, stunning, posh houses. That is what I saw in Heidelberg – kilometers of extraordinary houses. People must be happy there and maybe that’s the reason why they are welcoming and nice.

One day I was in Frankfurt and another one in Heidelberg – both are amazing, but I would chose Heidelberg to live rather than Frankfurt.

What can I tell, I think that I should explore Germany a bit more if I only I am given a chance.