The WIMEA-ICT sponsored Phd students spent their first semester at the University of Bergen from August 1, to December 20, 2015 as part of their training. During their study, the Geophysical Institute at UiB (University of Bergen) was their administrative host. The students share their experiences in Bergen.

I am ahead in Advanced Statistics for Climate Research

ISAAC MUGUME – MAKERERE UNIVERSITY:
Isaac Mugume, one of the Ph.D students supported by WIMEA-ICT project reached Bergen, Norway on August 5, 2015. His travel was facilitated by WIMEA-ICT project and it is part of the project’s plan to enable him obtain exposure in state-of-the-art facilities and experiences. The experiences will make the PhD project a success. He is thus at University of Bergen (UiB) as a guest student. Thanks to the collaboration between UiB and Makerere University. At UiB, he is enrolled for three courses: (1) Theory and ethics of Science, (2) Fluid mechanics and (3) Physical climatology. “These courses will advance my Mastery of Meteorology, a discipline I have decided to specialize in. This far in Bergen, I have already completed a course in Advanced Statistics for Climate Research and attended a group meeting on experimental meteorology. I also presented my study concept and secured a resourceful person, Dr. Micheal Mesquita. I participated in the transfer of the WIMEA-ICT prototype Automatic Weather Station from Prof. Joachim Reuder’s garden to Geophysical Institute.

A lesson in time keeping

ANDREW MWESIGWA – MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
I fidgeted with the door and then in a split-second the ‘Bybanen’ left. A light train in Bergen is commonly referred to as a ‘Bybanen’. I had to wait for the next train, which fortunately came 10 minutes later. It was a lesson about time keeping. In Bergen, just like other cities in Europe, public transport is organised and on time most of the time. Whereas in Kampala where I can easily find public transport at any time in most parts of the city, in Bergen missing a train or bus can mean being late for a lecture or an appointment! I have had to download and learn to refer to the ‘Skyss reiser’ mobile app in order to plan my journeys according to the online updated train and bus timetable.

I am already running some experiments

TRIPHONIA JACCOB NGAILO – DAR ES SALAAM INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
I arrived in Bergen on August 1, 2015. I carried out the necessary registration as required by the University; like student registration, the permit card to the police, and getting the TB vacination. All these were done successfully. From August 11-14, I attended the Advanced Statistics course in ‘R’ Statistical Software. It was a four-day intensive course of having lectures and practical sessions on how to use ‘R’ in solving statistical problems. On August 20, 2015, I attended a research meeting about Experimental Meteorology. I am currently attending the Theory and Ethics of Science course running from September 14 to October 2, 2015. This course is mandatory for Ph.D students, especially in scientific study. I have successfully installed the WRF and WPS on my laptop. I am now running some experiments. I am also analyzing extreme events using ‘R’ statistical software. I appreciate the WIMEA-ICT project for the support and warm working relation with fellow Ph.D students.

There are countless opportunities here

MARY NSABAGWA-MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
Bergen is surrounded by Rocky Mountains and rivers, creating a magnificent scenery. The long days of light enable me to enjoy the scenery until 10:00 pm. The sun’s warmth competes with the cold. Nature is well-supplemented with good roads, nice people, an expensive and yet high quality of life. The sky is the limit when it comes to exploiting the countless opportunities Bergen presents.

I BROUGHT THE SUN TO BERGEN It is a beautiful city

DOREEN TUHEIRWE-MUKASA FROM MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
Coming to Bergen had a sense of déjà vu for me. Coming to live in a student house, putting on heavy jackets, running to be on time to catch the light rail (Bybanen) that is on schedule, keeping time for all appointments, staying up late to complete class assignments, being in a class as an only female student all reminded me of my masters in Netherlands. I had been warned about the weather, raining all the time, but incidentally, it seems like I came with the sun. The rain has not been as bad as I expected. The natives also acknowledge something different about the weather this year! The cost of living, however, is quite high. Many a time, I have had to resist the urge to convert the prices of items to Uganda shillings, lest I fail to buy anything! The orientation week for International students was very thorough, and all details for students to settle in as fast as possible are handled. I was impressed by the time and care given by the administrators to answering all sorts of questions that students had. My professors are very passionate about the subjects they teach, my classmates were withdrawn at the start, but are warming up to me. In both of my classes, we are a total of four students! The assignments, however, are quite involving and very time consuming. I have met some of the Ugandans living in Bergen, through a get-together organised by those who have been here for some time, and it is quite comforting to know that I am not alone here. There is someone to ask for advice, help or otherwise. Bergen is a beautiful city.