Introduction
I am a 25-year-old Polish national from Łódź. I obtained my law degree from the University of Silesia in Katowice in 2022. While working as a judicial assistant at a district court in Łódź, I had the opportunity to apply for the CEA UM Junior Programme.
How was the application process?
The opportunity was recommended to me by an acquaintance who was already participating in the programme. In April, I contacted representatives of CEA UM, who provided me with further details. I decided that I would like to pursue doctoral research in the field of energy law. In May, CEA UM connected me with my prospective supervisors, and we discussed the topic of my PhD dissertation. In the end, we agreed on the topic “Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities in Selected Countries,” although this may still change over time. It is important for applicants to be aware that they may modify their research topic during their doctoral studies.
In June, I gathered the necessary documents and officially submitted my application to the Deák Ferenc Doctoral School of Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Miskolc. During the application process, we consulted with representatives of the Doctoral School regarding my PhD studies. Later, I was also invited to an open day, where prospective students could meet the staff of CEA UM. In August, I received the official admission notification from the Doctoral School.
How did the move go?
The move went smoothly, and I was excited about living in Budapest. The previous experience in studying abroad also facilitated me to settle here. In late August, we started our journey at the junior camp, where we got to know each other in a friendly atmosphere. During our first office meeting, we discussed the plan for the upcoming year with our coordinator.
As for accommodation, we arranged it together with a colleague who was already working at CEA UM, but new students can also rely on CEA UM or more experienced colleagues if this poses a difficulty at the beginning.
Where do you see yourself in a few years, and how does the CEA UM help you on that path?
CEA UM offers a wide range of opportunities. Numerous distinguished scholars and legal professionals, including constitutional court judges and judges of supreme courts, give lectures here. These encounters provide diverse perspectives and help in shaping possible career paths.
After the programme, I would like to continue my academic career, and I believe that CEA UM, with its extensive network, can help facilitate this goal. In addition, I would also like to work at the Polish Ministry of Energy or at the nuclear regulatory authority, where I could apply my theoretical knowledge in a practical environment. Overall, CEA UM is an institution that enables me to envision a successful career for myself.
Was there anything you worried about before you came?
I wasn’t particularly worried because I had reliable information from my colleague already in the programme. My previous experience studying abroad also eased any concerns. My main worry was balancing my life in Budapest with family and friends in Poland. However, with monthly free Fridays and additional free days, it’s manageable to maintain these connections.
What is everyday life like at the academy?
It is worth mentioning that all the juniors are on the same floor in academy so we are working together on the daily basis. The life in academy depends on the period. If we have an upcoming conference or workshop, where we are active participants, then you can feel the atmosphere of ‘excitement’, everyone is working on their presentation and the office seems busier. When we have periods without the conferences, then everyone focuses on their scientific research or daily tasks such as writing emails or other administrative jobs. These periods are calmer. Moreover, we also have conferences and lectures at which we participate as an audience, which brings variety different to the regular daily routine.
How much does the CEA UM support you professionally?
CEA UM supports our scientific work on multiple levels. It has a special procurement procedure through which we can obtain books essential for our research. In addition, CEA UM assists in the publication of our academic work, both on platforms affiliated with CEA UM and on external publication platforms. Furthermore, CEA UM provides financial support for participation in conferences, workshops, study trips, summer schools, or LL.M. courses, whether in Hungary or abroad. Thanks to CEA UM, I was able to participate in the Baltic Nuclear Energy Forum in Gdańsk, during which I also took part in a study visit to the Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant in Finland. This summer, I will participate in the International School of Nuclear Law, jointly organised by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and the University of Montpellier.
How can you also do research?
As I mentioned before, in addition to organising conferences and handling administrative tasks, research work is part of our daily routine at CEA UM. The management strives to organise our tasks in a way that always allows us to dedicate time to our research. Further support for our work comes from the opportunities to meet researchers and other experts at lectures and conferences.
What other opportunities does CEA UM offer?
In addition to the opportunities mentioned above, junior researchers also have the possibility to attend language courses. I am currently taking German classes, which I really enjoy, and I have noticed significant improvement since I started at the beginning of the year. Next year, I will probably start learning Hungarian or another language. Beyond language courses, we have also had the opportunity to organise cultural evenings. Each month, junior researchers from different countries hosted a dinner event to present elements of their national culture. As part of these events, juniors gave presentations on various aspects of their countries’ cultural characteristics. In addition to the staff of CEA UM, distinguished guests were also invited, including representatives of the respective countries’ embassies.
What is it like to live in Budapest?
Opportuniy of living in Budapest is one of the highlights of the programme. The city is vibrant and vivid. There are plenty of places to hang out with the colleagues after working hours. The city itself is beautiful, and my commute to work offers views of the Danube and the Parliament building from the Margharet’s Bridge. The public transport is efficient in the city there is variety of trams and metros that run frequently. Moreover, there are numerous green spaces, bike routes, and courts that facilitate engaging in sports or simply relaxing.
Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
I tend to set short-term goals and take advantage of interesting opportunities as they arise. I consider the CEA UM programme to be one such opportunity. However, I believe that I would like to develop my academic career, as I enjoy research and working with students. At the same time, I would also like to work at the Polish Ministry of Energy or at the nuclear regulatory authority, which would allow me to apply my theoretical knowledge in a practical environment.
Who would you recommend the CEA UM programme to?
I would recommend the programme to open-minded individuals who set ambitious goals for themselves and wish to work in an academic environment. It is also important to have an inner drive for development—not only in terms of acquiring knowledge, but also in developing other skills that will have a decisive impact on your future career, such as giving presentations. It is not necessary to have extensive experience in this regard, as CEA UM provides opportunities to acquire these skills. The most important thing is your determination.
Isn’t it a disadvantage that the Academy is so young?
The fact that CEA UM is such a young project is actually an advantage. The leadership is committed to fostering development within the academy, which offers numerous exciting opportunities for juniors. At CEA UM, juniors can personally work on projects to which they might have less access at long-established institutions. Being able to build projects from the ground up is exciting and provides an opportunity to develop our skills in planning and management. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
What has been your best experience so far at the CEA UM?
Since I have been at CEA UM, I have had many memorable experiences. One of my favourites was the study trip to The Hague in the Netherlands. We had the opportunity to visit the International Criminal Court, where we attended lectures by professionals working there. In addition, we conducted research at the Peace Palace Library, where we also gained access to their extensive online collection. Finally, we presented our research at a workshop focused on the International Criminal Court. This experience meant an incredible amount to me.
What message do you have for future juniors?
Be brave and set your goals high!
Błażej (PL)
