Through Europe by Bus to INGENIUM Senior Winter School
When Bhawna Shukla, a PhD student from the University of Skövde, was about to attend the INGENIUM Senior Winter School in Oviedo, she chose to travel by bus. For Bhawna, originally from India, this journey was an opportunity to explore more of Europe.
The distance between Skövde and Oviedo, in northern Spain, is approximately 5,000 kilometers round-trip. Travelling such a long distance by bus is not something most people would consider a viable option. However, Bhawna saw it from a different perspective and left Skövde with her suitcase, heading towards northern Spain. For her, it was a great adventure.
“I had to take the train from Skövde to Gothenburg, which is about an hour. The bus then departed from central Gothenburg. The journey, from Gothenburg to Oviedo took about 48 hours, and I had to change buses three times,” says Bhawna Shukla.
On the way to northern Germany, she woke up from a nap to an experience she wasn’t expecting.
“My bus mates asked me to come with them to get some air because we were on a ferry. I didn’t know the bus would be inside the ship. We went on deck, and it was pitch dark on the water.”
From Winter in Sweden to Spring in Spain
The journey continued through Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France before reaching northern Spain.
“It was amazing to see the landscapes change from the bus window. We drove past lakes, mountains, colourful trees, and cities. In the Netherlands, I saw so many lovely brown Dutch houses that looked very elegant and vintage. After Sweden, I love the Netherlands the most” says Bhawna.
During the stop in Paris, Bhawna had time for a short visit to a market before the bus continued. She also made it a habit to step outside during stops to stretch. Of course, there were challenges when travelling such a long distance by bus.
“I tried to sleep on the bus, but it wasn’t easy since you can’t lie down. Unfortunately, I also got a headache, back pain, and on the way back to Sweden, I got motion sickness. I would recommend carrying painkillers for such a long bus journey, but for me, although I felt ill, it was still a great adventure. It gave me the chance to see different places and countries. Travelling from winter in Sweden to spring in Oviedo was an incredible experience in itself.”
What was the most memorable thing during the trip?
“It is hard to say one thing, but I would say the stops at the gas stations, especially in Spain. There were lovely older women, and even though I didn’t speak Spanish and they didn’t speak English, they interacted with me. We bought sweets and had coffee together. They were so friendly and welcoming.”
INGENIUM Schools – A Golden Opportunity
The day after her arrival, the INGENIUM Senior Winter School began in Oviedo. The theme for the week was Creativity and Research Communication.
“It was a great week, and the entire arrangement was amazing. I learned a lot and made many new friends from all over Europe. Communication skills are very important for research, especially when it comes to presenting research and research results. I look back on the week and think it was a golden opportunity for me to take part in it. I would definitely recommend other students to apply for INGENIUM’s different schools.”
Looking back, this journey was more than just a bus ride for Bhawna.
“It was an adventure that expanded my horizons, both geographically and personally” says Bhawna.
