2020-07-12

To Jena to do my internship ... 

Who does not know the city of Friedrich-Schiller?
Who does not know the city of Carl Zeiss?

Well, I want to say honestly that I had not known Jena perfectly until I knew those great persons and the other amazing structural components in this city; the ancient architectural infrastructure that narrates a profound history that this city has passed through, industrious sites that created the legendary Carl Zeiss as one of the most known optical industry not only in Jena or Germany but also in the world over. 
Of course, the city has a lot to offer and a lot to narrate to me as I am going to stay here for three months to do my internship. Luckily, at Friedrich-Schiller University -Jena Reconciliation Center. This university was founded in 1558 and is considered one of the most prestigious universities in Germany.
Jentower - Jena/ Private
Coming from Albert-Ludwigs University Freiburg to conduct this internship, I would add that I am upbeat, to begin with, new knowledge, bridging new academic friendships and understanding, and friends with the local community.
The city is quite beautiful and charming not only by its nature but also by the historical fingerprints that were created since the eve of the industrial revolution in Europe in the 18th century. Many stages this city passed through to reach this a very sophisticated era in almost all fields, especially the scientific and industrious that the Friedrich-Schiller University has contributed to significantly building this platform by generating scientists and professionals in all fields who have done their best to make Jena great again in its bright facets that I can see.
What even amazes me is the fact that how this city revived after it had passed unbearable traumas the WWII, in which it was bombed by the British and the U.S. Allied Forces, including other dynamic fluctuations occurred on the ground due to the severe political transformation that is experienced when it fell in the hands of Soviet Leadership that lasted until the giant collapse of the Soviet Union at the beginning of the 1990s, which was the second trauma. 
This city was under a chronic recession that affected its scientific institutions like Friedrich-Schiller Uni. Therefore, scientific development relatively declined and lost much of its productivity.
Apart from that, I can imagine that this colorful experience that I can categorize into three phases as mentioned, the people finally managed to coexist with the new reality after more than four decades under the Soviet Occupation. It's imaginable the socio-cultural even psychological change that the people here went through, especially when they found themselves open to West Germany.
But, at first glance, I did not touch upon the difference, maybe being here in 2020 makes the difference blurry or unclear anymore. This can not be uncovered unless I talk to people, but I assume the current generation under this technological openness crashed this difference. 
Anyway, I am fully inspired by the city and academic, scientific, marketing, hustling-bustling components that embellished it in each corner, which I will explore. I can not wait to enjoy this experience even though we are still challenged by this pandemic Covid-19. It makes the situation precarious that it might come at anymore moment. Hopefully, the situation will be better off as I see the city right now is stable, not many infected.



 29.02.24 a rare date