Utrecht, The Netherlands
Penzion Zemanův Dvůr, Božanov
Czech Republic
This beautiful bed and breakfast in the northern part of the Czech Republic has become a favorite stop for the IRES team. The structure is over 200 years old and has been renovated into a comfortable and beautiful accommodation for the students to relax after a long day of field work. The family who runs the place are incredibly friendly and welcoming. The property is also home to cats, dogs, ducks, chickens, rabbits and various other farm animals that have become official members of the IRES team. It’s become our home away from home.
Slaný, Czech Republic
Slaný is a small city in Kladno District in the Central Bohemian region of the Czech Republic. Upon arrival in the Czech Republic the students spent their first few days here recovering from their jet lag, acclimating to the climate and getting a feel for the nation's culture and food. During their short time in Slaný the students very quickly became fond of the locals and their way of life.
Brno, Czech Republic
Brno is the second largest city in the Czech Republic. The city is home to AGICO (Advanced Geoscience Instruments Company). The students were invited by Martine Chadima to run samples in their labs and to tour the labs where the machines are designed and manufactured. The students also spent time in the city center and learned a great deal about the history of the area.
Prague, Czech Republic
Throughout the many years of this grant Prague has become an important fixture in the cultural aspects of the grant. The city is also the first place the students interact with in the Czech Republic after their plane lands. The city is host to beautiful architecture, a robust food scene and an incredible history. Participants who have worked on the grant before are well versed with the city and even know where the good parking spots are downtown. New participants are encouraged to experience the cultural aspects of this beautiful ancient city.
The students were lucky enough to visit the Netherlands to present at the annual Castle conference at Utrecht University. Luke Romero presented a poster on field and lab work conducted on his IRES thesis site, Madison Allcorn presented a poster on the lab work she conducted on Świerki quarry in Southern Poland. While there the students also enjoyed the cool weather and beautiful canals that line the historic city. The city quickly became a favorite of the IRES participants.
Cultural Photos
Jičín, Czech Republic
Jičín is a beautiful village in the Northern part of the Czech Republic. While in the city NMHU geology students were able to attend the 2024 Volcandpark conference held by the Czech Geological survey. The students went on several field trips visiting significant geological sites across the countryside and had the opportunity to present their work with geologists from all across the globe. The city itself, like most of the cities in the Czechia is full of authentic architecture and cuisine.
NMHU Geology
Paris, France
It’s very fitting that the IRES participants last days in Europe were spent in one of the most iconic cities in the world, Paris. The students spent their time there enjoying the world-famous cuisine, museums and monuments before their return home. In the words of the great Anthony Bourdain, “Traveling changes you. It’s safe to say that these students’ lives have been changed forever by their experience participating on this grant.
Warsaw, Poland
The media arts team was lucky enough to spend a few days in the city of Warsaw in central Poland. Geologist and IRES mentor Sam Poppe met with the students in the city center and gave them an in depth tour of the city and its history. The city itself was seriously impacted both by World War II, and Soviet rule. The remnants of these events are clearly still very prevalent. The students were deeply impacted by the sites they visited such as the old Warsaw ghetto walls and the Palace of Culture and Science.