How it started...
One year before my visit to RITMO, I decided to look for a place abroad where I could do an Erasmus+ internship before graduating with my Master’s in Athens, Greece. But there are hardly any places that combine music and technology in an up-to-date environment where I could learn and work on relevant projects. After contacting professors and research friends across Europe, I was informed about the MIRAGE project in RITMO and from the moment I saw that website, I knew that it was the best fit for me. My professor from the University in Athens then agreed to ask the head of the project, Olivier Lartillot (and the RITMO directors), if there was any possibility to do the internship in that project. Thankfully there was! And I never imagined how much this would mean to me.
Expectation vs Reality
I spent five months in RITMO, and this was my first encounter with the research world. Also, it was my first time experiencing winter in Scandinavia. There are so many things you hear about academia and Scandinavian winter, especially when you come from a Greek island. Still, the reality is so much different than that. So, let’s break it down and share some real facts that I encountered, hoping they will be helpful for those thinking about visiting RITMO!
1. Expectations: During my research internship, I will focus on one aspect of the MIRAGE project and learn a valuable skill I will use later in my future academic experiences.
Reality: During my internship, of course, I got to work on the MIRAGE project, but I was lucky enough to be involved in so many aspects of it, broadening my horizons and constantly gaining new skills and valuable insights. I was also fortunate enough to be asked by my supervisor Olivier to join many other projects, such as “CHILLS”, where we worked with Prof. Bruno Laeng and Tejaswinee Kelkar and “Brain dynamics of flamenco dance improvisation” where we worked with the PhD student Atilla Vrasdonk.
Warning! If you get involved in a project at RITMO, you will be coming back for more!
2. Expectations: During my internship, I will work on my project and forget about student life for a while.
Reality: RITMO is affiliated with the University of Oslo and, more specifically, the departments of Psychology, Musicology, and Informatics. I was part of the Musicology department since I also belong to Musicology of Athens University. The truth is that I was not required to participate in any classes during my internship, but some subjects were so interesting that I could not help myself. From how they are structured to how they are taught, they made me feel that I wanted to be part of the class again. So, I got access to Tejaswinee Kelkar’s “Motion Capture” class and Stefano Fasciani’s “Music and Machine Learning” class, where I had the time of my life while learning important new things and interacting with other students.
Warning! You may find it irresistible to leave your student life to the side and join a class (or two)!
3. Expectations: Academia is not only about doing research but also presenting it. That’s why someone would expect to observe many exciting presentations while visiting RITMO.
Reality: Even though there are plenty of interesting research presentations, people at RITMO are also interested in hearing what you do. So, even though it sounded terrifying at first, I had to present some of my work here as well. First, I created a small creative presentation for the Sonic Design Seminar (or Rolf-Inge Symposium!), and then I presented with Olivier our work at a Food & Paper presentation! This allowed me to improve my public speaking and made me feel that I contributed to the center’s work and that people cared to hear about it.
Warning! You might be asked to present too, and you are going to love it!
4. Expectations: When I visit a research center like RITMO, I will meet people with the same research interests and have conversations about the field.
Reality: RITMO has people that combine a lot of different scientific fields, from Anthropology to Neuroscience and from Historical Musicology to Robotics. Of course, you get the chance to meet people from the same area as you, but you will also get to have conversations with people from different fields. But worry not! These talks will give you a new perspective and help you realize how useful (and fun!) it is to be part of such a multidisciplinary environment.
Warning! You may realize how fluid research fields can be and want to jump into other domains too!
5. Expectations: Since I will be in a research center in the capital of Norway, I will get to meet many Norwegian people and make new Norwegian friends!
Reality: Oslo is quite an international city, and the same applies to RITMO. People who work here are not only Norwegians, but they come from many places around the world. This meant I got the chance to gain plenty of international friends and be part of a very accepting and culturally rich environment.
Warning! You will feel the need to learn “hello” and “cheers” in more than ten new languages!
6. Expectations: When I visit RITMO, I will have the chance to talk to my co-workers during meetings and spend time getting to know them while I am at the office.
Reality: RITMO has a lot of activities and events that helped me establish connections and friendships with my co-workers and people from other Universities and centers. You can spend time together while learning new things during informative seminars, symposiums, and various parties and celebrations! Also, Norwegian people are very close to nature and really into sports, which is also present in RITMO, creating new forms of bonding while maintaining a healthy balance between work and a healthy lifestyle. I had the opportunity to celebrate with bubbles, enjoy barbeques, run a relay, and learn how to ski during these five months, and I couldn’t ask for more!
Warning! You might get five new hobbies!
7. Expectations: Visiting RITMO and staying in Oslo will be cold and dark.
Reality: Weeeeell, the truth is not that far from my expectations, but hear me out. I visited RITMO in the middle of January when the weather only gradually improved, and the days would get bigger and bigger. But winter weather in Oslo is lovely. It may get dark early, but if you are lucky enough as I was, you will see snow, and your heart will melt. This was one of the best things for me, waking up to a white scenery while walking to RITMO with my warm winter clothes. And also, you get the chance to learn how to ski, since Norwegians love it!
Warning! You might fall in love with the Oslo seasons!
8. Expectations: People in an academic environment are typically kind when you are in the workplace. Therefore, if you visit RITMO, you will probably have some familiar faces to greet during the day and think about the fun moments you share when you go home in the afternoon.
Reality: People at RITMO don’t want to be your friends; they try to make you part of the RITMO family. Here, you will not just have regular encounters with your co-workers; you will establish long-term friendships and share valuable moments with people you will never forget. People here tend to eat lunch together, enjoy exciting talks in the shared areas and shamelessly plan fun activities together to constantly fill your day with happy moments.
Warning! If you visit RITMO, you will not want to leave!
How it ended...
Looking back on these five months, I feel full and grateful above everything else. I got the chance to work on interesting topics and combine my musicology and technology background in projects that matter. And I learned everything from the best of the field in a center that is more than just an academic place. But not only that. I feel like I became a better researcher and person after gaining plenty of new technical and soft skills while also being in an environment where I felt accepted and appreciated. I was never scared to ask questions and never felt scared to ask for help. I made new friends, met people from the whole world, and created memories that I will never forget. I will always wish to be back, and I hope all future RITMO members will feel the same!