The missing puzzle

Oh no, are you still thinking??? Well if you still are, you don't have to worry any more because I'm here to provide you with the answer to the missing puzzle which would ease you from having a migraine :). As I earlier promised in my last post (The world converge in katowice) that I would share one common thing about the integration week with you all my valuable readers. 

Well it's not so hard to figure out the missing puzzle considering the generation of youths we have nowadays. We are young, we are smart, we are beautiful, we are restless, we are energetic, we are adventurous, and so we party like rock stars!!!

The integration week was just next to perfectness with the memorable grooving parties we had...All around Katowice we had club tours that lasted for six days and we rested on the seventh day like it should be:D.

Party people!!! :)

Similarly to one of my favourite animated series, Pinky and the Brain. If you asked me during this integration week that "what are we going to do tomorrow night?" I would gladly tell you "The same thing we do every night, Pinky - try to take over the clubs!"

In the spirit of this warm and magnificent season, I want to use this opportunity to say to;

all my English readers: Merry Christmas!
all my Finnish readers: Hyvää Joulua!
all my Polish readers: Wesołych Świąt!
all my French readers: Joyeux Noël!

all my Spanish readers: Feliz Navidad! 

The world converge in Katowice :)

Imagine a world of many cultures but one language, a world of many possibilities but one choice, a world of different traditions but one voice, a world of sharing, a world of friendship, a world of millions of smiles... In this world I have been and experienced. 

There is a saying; "you save the best for the last"... Truly the global village event was one of it's kind. The event was planned in a way that every student would have to represent his or her country in this gathering. As you may know I'm a Nigerian but I live and study in Finland, therefore I had a decision to make whether to represent my country of origin or the country that provided me with the opportunity of being where I am today.

After a few consideration I decided to represent both countries at this event in a unique way. I went into the global village gathering feeling so happy dressed in my traditional attire and also made an attractive Finnish decoration at my table.

Me and my French buddies :)

      

Giving a short introduction :)

Ps. The real Santa is from Finland ;)

The atmosphere of this evening was spectacular and filled with endless joy in our hearts. There were lots of food, drinks, snacks and entertainment from different parts of the world that was shared under one umbrella of global love and unity.;)

   

Shared culture ;)

Have a taste of some Turkish food right from Katowice :)

4 continents gathered together in harmony <3

This evening would remain in my heart for a very long time because it stood out amongst all other event that was organised by the Uni. Out of a scale of 1-10, I would rate this event 10+ :). And generally in my opinion the organisation of the whole integration week event was excellent. Less I forget I haven't told you guys about one common thing about the integration week, take a pause and try to guess what it was...

Ok, so please if you are unable to figure out the missing puzzle just simply watch out for my next post. ;)

 

The world of beer ;)

Another interesting integration week activity was the visit to one of the most famous Polish brewing company; Tyskie. This was one of my most anticipated visit because I have always wondered about the working atmosphere for the workers. My imaginations about the workers have been a little bit on the edge, such as trying to imagine the intoxication level of workers :D. But to my disappointment we were unable to have a brewery tour due to insufficient time. Nevertheless, we had the opportunity to visit the brewing museum.

Tyskie Brewing Museum

The Tyskie brewing museum tour was quite educative, interesting and above all beneficial :D. We had the opportunity to see a lot of beer related exhibitions and to gain more knowledge about beer production.

Listening to the welcome message by the owner.

An attractive aspect of the tour was the way the brewery is being modernized to suite the current global level of technology. Although there is a necessity for high technology and modern infrastructures in the 21st century, but still the Tyskie brewing museum kept it's old traditions. There was a fusion between the modern and antique exhibitions. 

Old beer barrel :)

 

Amongst other attractions was a 3D film screening that showed a brief historical clip about the company and it's operations. I also had the opportunity to send an electronic post card with my picture to a friend but it wasn't delivered :(... As the end of the tour drew closer, it was time to have a taste of one of the freshest beer in Poland :D. When I heard this, I said to myself "...thank GOD it's Friday." :D

...it's fresh, it's chilled, it's tasty, it's Tyskie!!! ;)

A brief education about the right word to say in such gathering in few languages: 

In english you say: Cheers!
In finnish you say: Kippis!
In polish you say: Na zdrowie!
In french you say: Sante!

Flashback into the Miner's world

Believe me when I say that beneath the earth is another world of its own. A world that could make or break you. A world where you hear a crack of the wall and you start to recite your last prayer. The squeak sound of a mouse would make your adrenaline pour heavily. A world where you go in with your white garment and come out in black.

My journey with other interested exchange students into exploring the Miners world was quite thrilling and adventurous. On this faithful Thursday morning we started our journey by visiting the residential area of one of the Pole's most respected profession, Miners.

A beautiful sunny day ;)

My exchange mates and I had a walk in the Nikiszowiec district of Katowice where the Polish economy builders lived during their committed service by doing one of the world's most dangerous jobs. The district has a unique architectural design built with red bricks for approximately 1000 workers which also include the availability of a school, a church, a post office, an hospital, a bakery, a swimming pool and a police station.

A world of international students :)

After seeing what the Miners world look like above the earth, we proceeded to see some of what the Miners experience beneath the earth. We headed for the museum of coal mine in Zabrze where we had a trip of 320 metres beneath the earth...awesome! :D

Students wearing a Miner's helmet before going underground.

Remember safety is the watch word when going underground. Each of us were given a Miner's helmet as our head protector because the height in the coal mine is quite short and the easiest accident anyone could have is to hit his or her head against a metal or even when there is a shake beneath the earth one could have stones drop on his or her head. Therefore having the Miner's helmet on is very essential.

Still smiling :D

    
I remember that not only was the helmet essential for the Miners but also the usefulness of wearing a white shirt as a visibility sign. Back in the days of the Miners they didn't have access to electricity and all they could use was lamps and the use of white shirts when working underground.

A hard labourer :(

Respect a Miner when you see one.

Well the story wasn't so smooth for we tourist as well because we got to a point where we had to almost crawl on our knees for about 5-10 mins beneath the earth. :(

It wasn't funny :(

Me smiling just for the photo pose :p

Nevertheless, it was a great experience for me and I guess for other students as well...Before having such tour beneath the earth, I have never had any thoughts about the Miners and how dangerous their job could be. But after living in the Miners world for almost two hours, my respect for them as grown so much and I really admire their courage and discipline.

Finally, we all made it out alive ;)

Aqua Experience :D

"Welcome to another world of non-stop fun" - The integration week exhibits. 

On the 3rd day of my integration experience was a visit to the Aqua park. A very warm day with a beautiful blue sky was just the perfect time to explore the aqua world.

Outdoor view of Aqua Park

Indoor view of Aqua Park

Relax while you can ;)

They rule the world...Watch out!!! (My French buddies)

Someone is about to pop out! :D

Oh yesss!!! he did. :D

It was definitely a memorable experience for most of us... And for others who wanted to try something else besides swimming, there is always a second option so did the Erasmus Student Network chapter at the University of Economics in Katowice proved to us.

Snooker game was organised for other students :)

As always after every long day of integration activities, we had the opportunity to have lunch together as one big international family ;).

Lunch time :D

 

Integration Games

The Integration week wasn't only about speech, speech and speech but also lots and lots of interesting social activities which were included in the programme that was made for us by the ESN (Erasmus Student Network) at the University of Economics in Katowice. One of the event was the City Rally game which is quite similar to the popular reality tv game show "Amazing Race":D.  

Exchange students ready to storm the city of Katowice :)

The City Rally game was very interesting and it helped me to get familiar with my new environment by knowing very basic but important points in the city such as; the market square, the information point, church, theatre, book store, kiosk (place to buy bus and tram tickets) and many more...

We marched on!!! :D

The joy about this day was that it was a SUNNY DAY :D  

Waiting for a tram to convey us to the city centre ;)

Making of teams :)

A team trying to figure what the task says.

Happy people, Happy team!!!

Task point!

Ooo, she just figured out the answer!!! :D

A good Samaritan giving them description....Lucky guys!!! :)

What next?

The day was very interesting:) but also very exhausting:(. Nevertheless, we were not far from having lunch at one of the city's cherished attraction site, Rondo Katowice.

Katowice Rondo

We were all tired when we arrived at the Rondo, where we had our lunch.

Fatigue sets in :(

We were all exhausted :(

The Integration week - Part 2

The week started as usual with all protocols duly observed. We were welcomed by the Vice-Rector for educational affairs Prof. UE dr hab. Wojciech Dyduch. 

The Vice rector giving his welcome speech.

And many other important personnels representing their various departments informed us about all issues concerning our stay and study in Katowice.

My guardian angel :D (Szymon)
Ps. He's the current President of the Erasmus Student Network

Students listening attentively

New faces :)

Meeting new people ;)

After the long day of listening to speech, speech and speech the University compensated us with a scrumptious meal at the Longman pub where we had our first integration dinner ;). 

Dinner time! :)

Enjoy your meal people ;)

Oops! The Paparazzis caught me again ^_^

Happy people :D

Then the night ended on a very good note with dancing, drinking and dancing! ;)