Guest article by Rico: From 31.08. to 01.10.2015, I worked in the environmental department or environmental laboratory at Pharmachem (Skopje, Macedonia) as part of an IAESTE program. The main tasks of this department are to take and analyse water and soil samples, measure air emissions from stationary sources, measure noise levels and record ionizing gamma radiation.[caption id="attachment_189" align="alignright" width="300"] During my internship, I got to know different areas and was given a variety of tasks. I had to independently record their content and compare it with German standards. In part, I also worked on the translation of a German standard into English. I also dealt with the topic of measurement inaccuracy in environmental laboratories. I used user manuals, recommendations and official standards for my research, and one of the company's areas of activity is the analysis of gases (primarily exhaust gases). I received an introduction to the measurement process and was familiarized with the measuring device. A short time later, I applied the knowledge I had learned to an exhaust gas measurement in a catalytic converter factory by carrying out gas analysis measurements independently. The data obtained from the measuring device was read out using special software and converted into a suitable format by me.another of my areas of work was temperature monitoring in a warehouse for pharmaceutical products.the next major area was water analysis of surface and waste water. For this, I independently took a wastewater sample from a sorting plant for gravel and sand. Various parameters were then determined independently in the laboratory using standardized procedures: Percentage of solid particles, BOD, pH value and electrical conductivity. Other parameters were also analyzed using photospectroscopy: TOC, COD, nitrate, nitrite, sulphate and chloride.The last sub-area I got to know was the determination of noise levels in rooms of apartments and office buildings.The working atmosphere was always very pleasant and I quickly felt integrated into the team. My colleagues were always very friendly and helpful. They always took the time to discuss technical matters. When it came to organizing the working day, I often found a variety of tasks. In addition to technical discussions, I also learned a lot about the country and the culture. I was given a lot of advice about everyday things and was supported when problems arose. all in all, I had a very interesting and enjoyable time during my internship. in addition to the internship, I was able to gain a lot of impressions of Macedonia. After work, I went on many different activities together with other IAESTE interns. We explored the city and the surrounding area, visited museums, concerts and sporting events, organized cooking evenings, met up in bars and restaurants and did lots of other things. We were often joined by locals (mostly from IAESTE). My experience shows me that most locals are very sociable, friendly and helpful. Skopje offers a wide range of cultural activities for everyone, mostly at affordable prices. However, life in the city also has its downsides. There is a lot of garbage on the streets and the air quality is usually very poor due to the daily high volume of traffic and poor circulation.[caption id="attachment_185" align="alignleft" width="252"] Matka Lake[/caption]At the weekend we almost always went to a different part of Macedonia. From the central bus station in Skopje you can get almost anywhere for little money, even to neighboring countries. I mainly got to know the west of the country: Skopje, Matka, Bitola, Prilep and Kruševo. I can particularly recommend the natural landscapes around Bitola and Prilep as well as Lake Matka near Skopje, and the country offers many opportunities for people who like to go hiking and enjoy nature. A visit to local restaurants is also highly recommended, as the food is usually very good and of high quality on the one hand and very cheap by Central European standards on the other.[caption id="attachment_186" align="alignnone" width="800"] Excavation site and ruins "Heraclea Lyncestis" near Bitola, Macedonia[/caption]To sum up, I can say that a visit to Macedonia is worthwhile for the nature and landscape alone. Furthermore, I can only recommend anyone to take part in such an international exchange.Rico is studying for a Master's degree in 'Biotechnology and Applied Ecology' with a specialization in 'Protection and Use of Biodiversity' in his third semester. Supported by: