"With a Microphone to Berlin" – Arek's Experience from the Microphone Array Course at TU Berlin | Gdańsk University of Technology

What is a course abroad like? What challenges do you face, and what brings the most satisfaction? Arek Sałata, a student from Gdańsk University of Technology, talks to Joanna Dybuść about his participation in the Microphone Array course organized by TU Berlin. He shares behind-the-scenes insights into the organization, scientific aspects, and... practical perspective. Read this before you apply yourself!
 

Why is it worth it? Impressions from the course.

Joanna Dybuść: Arek, would you go on this course again?
Arek: Definitely yes. The course was full of knowledge and valuable experiences – I gained a lot from it.

Joanna Dybuść: What new skills did you gain during the course?
Arek: Teamwork was key. The daily, intensive collaboration in the workshop taught me consistency. The course was also a great opportunity to move from theory to practice – we worked on concrete, technical projects.

Joanna Dybuść: Were you able to apply the skills you learned in practice, and how did they help you?
Arek: I definitely improved my skills in working with repositories and software. Programming a signal analysis project is quite different from, say, making a game – the course showed me that in practice.

Joanna Dybuść: Was there anything that surprised you?
Arek: The level of advancement. After a short theoretical introduction, we jumped straight into group projects, which we analyzed on-site using available equipment and rooms.
 

Level of difficulty and requirements.

Joanna Dybuść: What topics or skills (not listed in the syllabus) would be helpful before the course?
Arek: The course is intended for those already advanced in signal processing. The tasks weren’t easy – without basic knowledge of electroacoustics, it could be too difficult. Programming knowledge is also useful, especially since the department uses its own Python module that every group interacts with.

Joanna Dybuść: What was the most challenging part of the course?
Arek: The course is very time-consuming. The remote part takes place during the semester, meaning it’s an additional course to pass. It’s worth checking in advance if it's possible to negotiate a simplified completion of another related course (e.g. acoustics or microphones).

Joanna Dybuść: Did you prepare academically before the course – was there any prework?
Arek: Yes, during the online part we had introductory lectures. Participants could familiarize themselves with the tools and infrastructure available on campus. The course is based on independent work – we had to prepare a project and report progress even before traveling. The provided materials were the foundation for completing those tasks.
 

Integration and daily life.

Joanna Dybuść: How quickly did you adapt to the international community?
Arek: Quite quickly, although that’s an individual matter. I think both the instructors and other course participants helped a lot in adapting to the new environment. After all, we shared similar interests and experiences – a great topic for morning coffee chats or lunch breaks.

Joanna Dybuść: Were there any additional integration activities organized with local students after classes? Did you have time and energy for sightseeing or social outings?
Arek: Yes, after work on campus we had time to explore Berlin. The post-class integration had a different tone – it was a well-deserved break after a day full of experiments.

Joanna Dybuść: Is there anything worth knowing about the Berlin campus before going?
Arek: The campus in Berlin is different from ours in Gdańsk, but you can get a good sense of it after just one day. In practice, classes take place in one building, easy to spot thanks to its large green gate. Nearby there are two canteens where you can eat cheaply. If you prefer to buy groceries, it's better to shop in advance – the nearest store is a few minutes’ walk away.
 

Logistics and formalities.

Joanna Dybuść: Arek, what’s worth considering when planning for the course – what could streamline the preparations?
Arek: First of all, the entire application process takes some time. You should set aside at least three weeks to complete all the formalities, including submitting applications in the MojaPG system. Also, plan your transport and accommodation in advance – they should match the travel date of your research group.

Joanna Dybuść: How did you arrange accommodation for the course? Is it provided by TU Berlin, or does the university help with finding it?
Arek: We organized the accommodation together with a group of fellow students from Gdańsk. The more people, the easier it is to split the costs. TU Berlin doesn’t provide accommodation – you have to arrange it yourself.

Joanna Dybuść: Was food provided?
Arek: At the end of the course, TU Berlin and the instructors invited us for a group lunch – it was a nice form of integration and an opportunity to hear educational perspectives from other countries.

Joanna Dybuść: What expenses did you incur while preparing for the trip (e.g. insurance)?
Arek: The costs of transport, accommodation, and food are borne by the course participant. Funding is available that may cover some or all of these costs, but keep in mind that the money isn’t always available before departure. I recommend keeping documentation of all expenses.
 

For future participants.

Joanna Dybuść: What advice would you give to a student planning to take part in such a trip?
Arek: First of all – set realistic project goals. Many groups had to simplify their assumptions because they exceeded time or skill limitations. Remember that you also have other university courses at the same time. It’s worth asking older students which semesters are less intense – that’s the best time to apply. Be sure to check out the international mobility guide available on the PG website.

Joanna Dybuść: What would you do differently if you were to go again?
Arek: From the moment of enrollment and during the online phase, I would already start looking into the ERASMUS+ process, to prepare all the necessary documents in advance.

Joanna Dybuść: Looking back – what was your biggest concern before the trip, and what would you tell your past self now, knowing what you know?
Arek: Consistency is key. It's worth attending the course only if you're genuinely interested in the topic. Although I was very interested in the subject, in hindsight, I would assess more realistically whether I could balance my university duties with the trip. Fortunately, it worked out – but it required a lot of commitment.