1/29/2012

PhD?

I survived my very first scientific conference as a PhD student. I could say it was horrible, but I'll not. So here is the story:

This conference, called "Juniorstav" in Czech Republic was almost like obligatory for me (at school), they didn't even asked if I want to attend. My teachers said "don't worry, it's gonna be ok!" They just didn't know about my big fear: the Czech language. Slovak and Czech language is quite similar to each other because of their history (Czechoslovakia). But for me as a human with Hungarian mother language, who only learnt Slovak like English or other foreign language, is not so easy to understand this language. Of cousre these Slovak and Czech people don't know about that, they think and expect I will understand every single word as a normal person from Slovakia. So the problem begins here.
My second big problem was: the nervousness. I think it's understandable if I was a bit nervous and excited before my first official scientific presentation (and of course I do not have to mention Hungarian girl talking in Slovak to Czech people - horrible combination) at a scientific conference full of clever and intelligent people. While I'm always enjoying the company of geeks (I can always learn something new), I'm still afraid I'll look like stupid blond between them. I don't think I'm as talented and never know "what am I doing between those supertalented, supersmart and superintelligent people?"
Whatever. So I woke up before 5 am that morning and went to the train station to travel to the destination of the whole conferency: Brno. Sleeping and eating on the road and we were already there. Ceremonial opening and the presentations started. My time was only around lunchtime so I was jittered until then. I had to stand up and start to talk. The presentation was ... I can say "OK". When I finished I immediately started to pray: "please don't ask, please don't ask!" And they asked. Motherfuckers! :) I was really concentrating but from the loooooong question (in Czech) I understood only one word. Thanks God it was the "keyword" of the sentence. So I just thought out what could they ask and answered the question. :D From now I say this is my superskill.

The presentations were over, we voted for the best. The victory was our, the winner was a girl from our school (even the second place). So proudly walked out from the classroom and waiting for the evening, for the Gala party. I wanted to check out what is that so I decided to attend, but thought I'll leave soon  (because of the mentioned incomprehensible Czech talking). I was very surprised when I stepped in, noticed the huge table with luxury food with luxury champagne and wine. I instantly felt: that's gonna be awesome! It was fun, I enjoyed it (even the Czech blabla :D ). And look at this - sometimes it's worth to be a PhD student, isn't it?! :) (and I forgot to make a picture about the chocolate fondue with every type of fruit)

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