Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich

aka my university - ETH Zürich.

The first week is almost over and there has been almost NO time to work - everything is about going from one paperwork institution to another one - but at least these obligations are almost done now. I also received a working computer and could even configure it to print out papers with the help of our IT guy - so I'm officcially integrated into the system now ;)

About my office - there are two thinkg I can't believe about it:
1) how big it is and
2) how quiet it is!!!
Seriously, without exaggerating, the room is huge and hosts at 20 PhD students. But it is so quiet that I almost whispern talking to the girl sitting next to me - because otherwise I feel like yelling! So it's a huge transition from our B607 where 7 people could make the noise for the whole B6 floor! It's great for concentrating but it's just so... quiet! :D (Btw, Oliver, my future colleague, if you happen to read this then don't worry, you're going to be in the talkative post-doc office!)

And here is a (not the best quality) photo from my office window:

The new workmates are still really cool! I know it even better now than a few days ago! But still need to get to know them a lot! For example, remembering the faces and names would be a good start. So that situations like yesterday wouldn't repeat themselves: I asked a guy from the lab, whether he's also in our group and he was like "Duh, I'm sitting behind your supervisor" - but in a nice way! :D

Until now, my labwork has been limited to making a few buffers. However, from as much as I have seen the lab seems really well organized (I'm not talking about the mess on researchers' desks but about the organization on a higher level - chemicals, storage room etc.). And it's organized in a really... relaxed way! I don't know how to explain it.... Well okay, an example: We - me and a new post-doc - were demonstrated  that our liquid nitrogen tank is full by pouring some liquid nitrogen on the floor. :D (but of course, we also told about the safety issues, using gloves etc. as well)

Only during the past few days have I actually understood how big is the ETH. There a sooo many buildings all around the city. Most of the buildings look spectacular in comparison to Estonian or Finnish architecture - but it's just the normal style here.

I've been talking to some ETH students in our student house and found out that the exams are starting in 2 weeks. And what do you think all the students are doing? They are STUDYING! From morning until the evening - in our house and also in the working building. Apparently, if you fail an exam twice then you're free to pack your things and go home - forever! So studying is being taken somewhat more seriously here than in Finland :)

And to finish for today - a picture from the walk from the immigration office to public transport office:

Have a good evening, everybody :)

By the way, I canged the blog settings so that everyone can comment now (don't need to be a member here).