One is a particle physicist (the one with the violin), the other is studying solid state engineering (the one with the viola). Besides Jaderka, Míša and Nasťa have something else in common: they both play in the CTU Academic Orchestra. And they have a fresh message for any prospective members: "We are just starting a new, very rich repertoire, so any newcomers would avoid having to 'jump on a moving train'!"
M: My name is Míša Divišová and I’m a first-year Master’s student in the Nuclear and Particle Physics programme. For my Bachelor’s research, I focused on Monte Carlo generators and tuning the string model of particle hadronisation based on data from the LHC accelerator. I’d like to further deepen my knowledge in this field during my Master’s... probably because strings and tuning have been part of my life since early childhood! :)
N: Hi, my name is Nasťa Samochvalova and I’m a first-year Master’s student at Jaderka, specialising in the Physical Engineering of Solid State Materials. I had the opportunity to conduct my Bachelor’s research at the Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences and work at the BESSY accelerator in Berlin. Now, I’m working on a research project regarding shape-memory alloys at the Institute of Thermomechanics, and I am a member of the CTU Academic Orchestra.
- Why did you enrol at Jaderka?
M: I’ve known basically forever that I’d likely end up in the natural sciences – I’ve always loved maths, and eventually, the same became true for physics. My dream was to visit CERN in Switzerland, so I started looking for a university that would make that possible. Jaderka then caught my eye by organising events like "Become a Reactor Physicist" or "Medical Physicist for a Day."
N: My main reason was that I couldn't decide whether I wanted to study a more "scientific" or a more "engineering" field – in this regard, Jaderka is a great blend of both worlds.
- Would you recommend studying at Jaderka? And who do you think it is not for?
M: Jaderka is a great choice for everyone interested in the natural sciences who tries to approach their studies responsibly (within reason). It’s important to have a certain built-in tenacity, a desire to push yourself, and to not give up if you don’t succeed on the first attempt... or sometimes even the second.
N: I would definitely recommend it. The faculty supports you from the very beginning, and it’s relatively easy to get involved in research even during your undergraduate studies. I wouldn't recommend it to people looking for the easy way out. I’d describe studying at FNSPE like this: "The first year is hard, and after that, it stays hard, but you’re already used to it."
- What do you enjoy about the faculty and what is there to do here?
M: Studying at Jaderka is a beautiful thing in its own way, but it can be mentally (and sometimes physically) exhausting. That’s why it’s important to be able to relax with something completely different. Jaderka offers a whole range of leisure activities, so there’s something for everyone. Since playing the violin is my hobby, I was thrilled that we could join the CTU Academic Orchestra without having to pass a formal audition. I’ve met new friends, learned a huge amount of repertoire thanks to our incredibly kind conductor, and experienced what it’s like to perform on stage at the Bethlehem Chapel.
N: What I like about FNSPE is the wide selection of programmes and specialisations. For example, within my department (Solid State Engineering), you can work on anything from macromolecule crystallisation to nanodiamonds and semiconductors. And since everyone studies similar subjects in the first few years, it’s no problem to switch fields or change laboratories.
- Do you take part in any activities outside of Jaderka?
M: Besides the violin, I generally love listening to music or going to concerts. I also do yoga, and in the winter, I try to set aside a few days for skiing or cross-country trips. I also love reading a good book.
N: When time allows, I dedicate myself to music – specifically the viola. I play actively in the CTU Academic Orchestra, where you meet fellow "Jaderňáci" as well as people from other faculties. Otherwise, I try to stay active with sports in my free time.
- What is student life like at FNSPE?
M: There’s a really great atmosphere at the faculty, so everyone has the chance to make plenty of friends. From my own experience, I know that – at least in the first year – the rule is: "the more contacts you have, the more likely you are to survive the next semester." Simply put, it’s much better to moan about limits in Calculus or the Kepler problem in a group than to face it all alone! :)
N: I’d say the most popular student activity is group-crying while studying for exams... but otherwise, the pub quizzes and other events organised by the Student Union are frequent and fantastic. My personal favourite is the "All-Nuclear Fusion" (Všejaderná fúze), which is a ball with a slight scientific twist.