In 2018 we participated in our first international conference that took place in Turkey, we presented our first design of a wind turbine for our country (Colombia), so we met a group of boys our age, from Macedonia, during the entire week of the event we related and we got to know each other better, during this time they told us about their country, their customs and mentioned their studies, where they highlighted a conference dedicated to renewable energies and branches, that is where they presented us with SKEEOR information, when they returned home they sent us information and we tried to participate that same year, however we did not succeed. In 2019 our friends from Macedonia told us about the call again and we participated with two new projects, that’s how we met SKEEOR, which was fantastic.

To begin with I am Colombian, this implies crossing the world with the intention of generating new friendships, scientific knowledge and new experiences, I must mention that although I did not know the organizing group personally, it was always very welcoming to talk to them, I always felt that I was among friends, The boys were aware of my entire trip knowing that there were hours and hours of flights and stopovers, when I arrived, not only did I not know what the boys were like, but I felt that they knew me from a long time ago. I arrived at 1 am, I thought it was too late, but they seem to have a very good night life, I was really tired. These 3 boys showed up and, as expected, they were too kind and cheerful, and if something characterizes a Colombian like me, it is happiness and jokes, I thought that everything would be calm until I met the taxy driver in person, the first funny anecdote, very good guys.

Everything in SKEEOR is wonderful, not only are you with people who have your academic situation, but you live with a world of characters from all areas of the academy and this makes you grow on a personal and professional level. I can list too many funny anecdotes but it would end the experience that all of you should have.

Science, technology and engineering is the main objective of SKEEOR, at a scientific and academic level we can have a wide variety of solutions to problems that overwhelm us as a society, the theme of SKEEOR is too important to progress in today’s technology. day, from anywhere in the world, I saw endless possibilities to improve our global situation, and the best thing is that there are too many people supporting, helping, innovating and improving these initiatives, which of course we need them, I am a student of electronic engineering, But that is nothing more than a name that helps us guide our knowledge, because real engineering is done with events like these, where you discover and decipher the full potential as a scientist and as a friend, because there is no science without society.

Not only would I want to return, but I would love to be a part of SKEEOR again, the experience is too good and I owe a big part to the guys who made it possible and who are now my friends. I would become part of SKEEOR again, because it makes me grow as an engineer and see how the world of science and technology is beyond my country, which motivates me to improve and contribute even more to anyone who needs it. I never knew if I was the first Colombian to visit Macedonia, I hope at least to be among the first. I would return not only for the high scientific level, but for the people and their kindness, for their culture, for their places and for many other things, I hope to continue returning to the place where the doors have been opened to me.

Hello! My name is Maria and I’ve attended SCEESD 2019. The challenge of participating in my first foreign conference arose from an invitation by my IST colleague Tiago.

This experience became even more stimulating because my MSc fields of study are not quite related to Sustainable Energy, as they comprise Computers, Electronics and Telecommunications. Besides that, I find very interesting the scientific efforts on Energy efficiency, namely when applied to transportation, field about which I’m an enthusiastic.

Since the conference was planned and put into practice by students, their organization actually stood out. I enjoyed the introductory lectures presented by some of the experts of the conference fields. It helped me to focus on the topics of each session, but also to expand the understanding of some not so common concepts. The diversity of the addressed topics is a big plus of this event. Paper presentation and discussion was undoubtedly an absorving experience.

Besides the conference, some leisure activities allowed to get to know Skopje. Also, learning Macedonian alphabet and few words was quite challenging but pleasing!

I recommend every undergraduate to enroll and participate in SCEESD, because they’ll have a great experience by undergoing an academic research, sharing scientific points of view and encountering a cultural diversity.