Greetings, Kj?re reader!
I'm Eyyüb Güven, and I'm thrilled to take you on a journey through my unforgettable experience at the RITMO Lab during my Erasmus exchange at the University of Oslo.
Now, let me rewind a bit. Picture me as your typical Erasmus student at the University of Oslo – exploring the city, soaking in its vibrant atmosphere, and indulging in memorable moments with friends. From hiking adventures to jumping the cold ocean from a warm sauna, chasing the magical northern lights, seeing more and more north and cold and dark... My days were filled with excitement and wonder. Don't get me wrong; being an ordinary Erasmus student was an absolute blast, but little did I know that something extraordinary awaited me.
It all started with a class called "Music and Cognition" by the wonderful Jonna Vuoskoski. That's when I realized my dream of delving into research at the lab. And oh, what a class it was! Led by remarkable individuals like Maja, Sabine, and Atilla.
The anticipation of hearing about our application was like waiting for a feast after fasting. And when Alexander (the Great :) ) gave us the green light, it felt like winning the lottery. The RITMO Lab felt like home from the moment I stepped in.
Once inside the lab, I was swept away by the energy and innovation that filled the air—every day brought new opportunities to expand my knowledge and dive deeper into the world of interdisciplinary studies in Rhythm, Time, and Motion.
I'll never forget my first experience assisting Bilge with her study. It was like being a fish out of the water initially, but thanks to her, Maham, Jack, Joacim, and others' guidance, I quickly learned the ropes of methodology and experiment design.
From participating in eye-tracking studies with Bruno Laeng to analyzing fMRI data with Tor Endestad, every moment was a chance to learn and grow. And let's not forget the incredible support from Arthur and the Ambient Lab (<3) team – their collaboration skills and encouragement made every challenge feel resolvable.
I need to say that my favourite meeting during these seven months, fortunately/unfortunately, was “Food and Paper”. I love that ambiance! For me, it was like meeting with the family. You know that there are those relatives you do not see that often, but you know that they are there, and you can reach them, talk to them, and consult them. Because I am a very curious boy, I always chase the more experienced ones, and Food and Paper was a great opportunity for me!
I want to give special thanks to Alexander because his great work was shining on us, and we followed him. I feel so lucky to have met him. From EEG to fNIRS, I have learned a lot, especially at the LARVIK Guitar festival. Such a day it was ?. And, obviously, classic Stand-Stills. Apart from Research and Development, I have also learned and experienced personnel development thanks to his great personality!
The real magic happened beyond the research. The connections I formed and the friendships I made at RITMO made my internship truly special. It wasn't just a workplace but a community, a family united by curiosity and a shared love for exploration.
Reflecting on my time at the RITMO Lab, I'm grateful for the lessons learned, the experiences shared, and the friendships forged. It was a journey of discovery and growth that I'll cherish forever.
Thank you, RITMO Lab, for an unforgettable adventure filled with laughter, learning, and lifelong memories.
