The Sika Experience

It’s been a long time since I posted something here! Almost 4 months. But today I watched pictures from the trip and I remembered, how great those 2 weeks were! Lot of things happened for me since then, also thanks to Sika Experience.

After my arrival back to Czech Republic from our Experience trip, there were very busy weeks for me, cause I had to choose a topic for my final project. Influenced by Sika Experience, Fascination glass, I choose glass themed final project. So last 3 months I was really busy by calculating energy efficiency of different types of glass facades, thermal comfort and possibilities of sun shading! So exciting, but I have to say, when I submitted my work last week, I was really glad, that it was over for me. :)

So here’s my final project! :)

Another exciting news for me was being accepted for my master studies to Ecole des Ponts ParisTECH, which was my dream. So next two years I will move to Paris to start a different life. Also, I will work in France this summer, because I have to improve my french a bit.

Anyway, what I wanted to say to all people, who are reading this, if you are deciding – should I apply for Sika Experience (and not only for Sika, but for all the chances to go abroad and meet interesting people and learn some new stuff) – go for it! It will change your life. At least a bit :)

From sunny Czech Republic

Lenka

We spent our last days of our Sika Adventures in Milan with Joerg and Werner. After taking train from Zurich to Milan on tuesday, we went on wednesday morning to visit Sika Silicon Factory to see, how the sealants are produced.

On wednesday we also had our last dinner with Sika people (Joerg, Kathrin and Werner). It was really delicious, but kinda sad at the same time, because our trip was going to end on thursday. Alex and Jihyun stayed for another few days in Milan while Rahul took a train with Werner back to Switzerland and me, I had my flight back to Czech Republic on thursday afternoon.

Finally, at 11:30pm I arrived home to very veeeeeeeery cold winter – -16 degrees!!!!

I was glad to be at home but at the same time sad that our common journey with Sika is in the end.

It was exceptional adventure full of fun and interesting knowledge we gained. We had and opportunity to get to know Sika better and I have to say it was worth it. All Sika people were really nice and helpful. Also  I would like to thank Alex, Jihyun and Rahul for such a wonderful time we spent together. Hope to see you again!

THANKS SIKA FOR MAKING THIS ALL HAPPEN!

One of the most important things about this whole trip is that it’s not only about getting some knowledge but also about meeting new people and having fun with them.
This weekend was the perfect example. It was absolutely beautiful. On saturday, we went a bit for snowboarding, for some of us for the first (second) time it their lives (Jihyun and Rahul did a great job learning that).
In the afternoon we went sky hiking let’s say, to the chalet in the mountains for perfect swiss special dish – FONDUE! Miam… We enjoyed it together with Joerg and “Fishy”, our mountain guide.

But that’s not all! After this soooo delicious dinner we back to the hotel down by sledges. And sauna after was just a cherry on the top of a cake.

Next day me, Alex and Matthias went for snowboard while the others were enjoying walking around. We met on the top of Chaeserrug (2252 m) and the weather was… well you can see it on the picture.

Today we have a great experience by building up our own insulated glass and facade element at Sika factory in Widen.

Unfortunately today it was our last day with Matthias. So I would like to thank him for this awesome week and hope to see him again!

THANKS AGAIN!

PS: Tomorrow Milan!

Let’s sum these last 2 days! Alex has already written about that amazing visit in BMW and given you some pics to see from over there. I think I have chosen my future car brand! :)

I would like to also mention the Olympiastadt we visited after BMW experience, because of its architectural heritage. Even thought it was built more than 40 years ago it’s still timeless. Originally it was designed by the German architect Günther Behnisch and the engineer Frei Otto, it was revolutionary at that time and it still is. The structure is made of acrylic glass and steel cables.

And today Internorm, the biggest window producing factory in Europe! Very interesting to see how the window is produced from the glass units and plastic frame bonded together with Sika adhesives. New technology for better results!

After another 500 km in car we are here now in Wildhaus and we joined Joerg for a winter snow weekend ( despite of the problems with getting to the hotel – see the picture :)).Tomorrow snow hiking with a surprise and skiing on Sunday, yeeey!

Stay posted and get the latest news of this adventure!

L.

Hi everyone,

so excited to write my first blog post from this trip.These past 3 days went so fast that I didn’t even have time to write something here. But I am not complaining at all!
After our arrival on Sunday evening we were given a warm welcome from Kathrin, Luis, Barbara, Joerg and Matthias on Monday morning in the Sika central factory in Zurich. We had a brief introduction into our program and later on a visit of R&D centre and the factory itself. We ended the first day with a nice night tour through Zurich and a lovely dinner with Matthias,Maria ( journalist from London who is travelling with us) and Joerg in very centre of Zurich.

The second day was more interesting for me as a civil engineer student as we visited architecture studio Kampfen fur architectur (http://www.kaempfen.com). It was very fascinating for me to see all the presented buildings connected with energy saving. Especially the zero energy house we visited in the afternoon. I was impresed by the level of implemented technical services in the building as well as the interior design, well you can see it on the picture.

After this we had to go near Saarbrucken together with Enrico (facade specialist) to be able to visit Interpane factory for Float glass on Wednesday.This factory is one of the biggest in Europe (the hall itself is 800 m long!) and produces around 800 tones of Float glass a day. It was a great opportunity for us to see the glass production starting from the raw materials and finishing with a coated glass ready for a window or a facade unit.In the afternoon we had to overcome another almost 500 km by car to get to Munich and here I am writing here! And tomorrow BMW factory.Maybe we will get some samples,I keep my fingers crossed:)

So talk to you soon again from this amazing adventure.

Let the Sika spirit be with you!

Bye bye

L.

Hi there,

yesterday I took my very last exam in this semester so my exam period is oficially over and I can finally start to look forward to Sika Experience and get ready for it!

Today, Kathrin sent us all the preliminary program of our visit in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Italy and it looks just great. I would like to thank all Sika Team again for this amazing opportunity given to me, Rahul, Alexandros and Jihyun Yoo.

Talk to you again in few days from Zurich!

Can’t wait.

Lenka