In this installment of Science Shoeoff, we hear from Andy, who I met at CERN last summer. She tells us about her experiences as a summer student, which were… eventful.
NB: If you are a physics undergraduate in one of CERN’s Member States, you have until 27 January to apply for the 2013 programme. For non-Member States, the deadline is 31 January. There are special arrangements in place for students from Canada, Japan and the USA.
Andy by Lake Geneva (in Montreux)
Left Behind
I’m a physics grad student at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Last summer, I attended the CERN Summer Student Program, which consisted of a 6-week lecture series and a research project on some fascinating CERN-related topics. Although I learnt some intriguing, mind-boggling physics during my 10-week stay, the greatest experience was meeting my fellow summer students. 269 bright minds from 71 countries spanning Brazil to Japan! What a great adventure it was to interact with these friendly, intelligent, fun-loving people who dedicate their lives to unraveling the great mysteries of our Universe. In fact, I had so much fun that I simply did not want to leave. My last night at CERN was spent with my new friends reminiscing, drinking and getting up to mischief (as young people do). In fact, I was having so much fun that I forgot to pack! Mere minutes before I was meant to be at Geneva airport to catch a flight back home, I was in my hostel room frantically throwing things into my bag. Needless to say, something always gets left behind in such situations. In my case, my favourite shoes were abandoned. If you happen to be at CERN anytime soon, look out for something small, shiny and grey. That’ll be them.
Thanks Andy!
Image (c) CERN 2012 – Can you spot Andy?
The Summer Student community Facebook page saw a tradition develop, whereby people would leave a note about their highlights and saying goodbye to their friends. Occasionally these would take the form of poems. Andy, however, went all-out. She wrote a full-length song, to thetune of “My Favourite Things” from The Sound Of Music. I’ve dropped in a few links to help illustrate some of the references.
You can play this video to see that it scans, too:
Five sigma glory and wild trolley races
Salsa and waltzing and other kind graces
Fireworks, card games and tshirt meetings
These are a few of my favourite things
Snow covered peaks that look draped in white silk
Italian choc liqueur and warm choco milk
They taste delicious when I drink with you
This summer’s been perfect, now surely that’s true
Roommates are snoring, the Frenchman is roaring
Let’s go watch Batman else nighttime is boring
Paragliding lets us fly without wings
These are a few of my favourite things
When report’s due
When my time’s up
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favourite things
And then I don’t feel so bad
Detecting muons that come from afar
The Balkans can tell us of drinking and war
A swim in Lac Leman when the heat, it stings
These are a few of my favourite things
Bicycle accidents, friends who give haircuts
Charlie’s pub late nights, antimatter traps
Working all day in the apple store
Without you around life is truly a bore
Lunchtime in R1 and flashmob rehearsals
Astronaut visits, piano recitals
A post of a bra bar and the trouble it brings
These are a few of my favourite things
When the grid’s down
Or when ROOT’s mean
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favourite things
And then I don’t feel so bad
Jamming together beneath magic trees
Speedy web access whenever we please
A concert for students, together we swing
These are a few of my favourite things
Geneva parade, a black and white picture
A Nobel awaits us in the distant future
Stalking Steinberger, Higgs and Ellis
If you missed this summer, you should be jealous
Trio rehearsals and Japanese dinners
Olympic games and CERN Webfest winners
Gigantic posters are hanging by strings
These are a few of my favourite things
When I’m back home
When I’m sleeping
When I’m tired and sad
I’ll simply remember a favourite thing
And then I won’t feel so bad
Summer romances ‘neath meteor showers
Rooftops and tunnels, but no water towers
Some pump room parties get a little too rough
They still make the list of my favourite stuff
Detector tours and Cernettes who rock
International dish parties and chocolate in Broc
Heat waves and hail storms, if you go out it stings
These are a few of my favourite things
When the beam’s dumped
Due to lightning
When you feel jet-lagged
You should simply remember your favourite things
And then you won’t feel so bad
Fondue in Gruyeres where cowbells surround us
Missing my plane, tram, my train or my bus
Sergio Mendez, in Montreux he sings
These are a few of my favourite things
Zumba, cake, curry, a surprise birthday party
Furniture pyramids, someone was naughty
Karaoke night and hiking outings
These are a few of my favourite things
Tearful goodbyes that are brimming with love
Two final pranks that we’ll all be proud of
I love that you’ve all made my summer so fine
Come, let me show you this country of mine!
Now our time’s up
Just keep smiling
Let us all be glad
Just pick from the list your most favourite thing
And then you won’t be so sad!
If that hasn’t convinced you that CERN is the best place for a young physicist in the summer, I don’t know what will! Applications close soon, so you’d better hurry. You might even say you should accelerate.
