Just a year ago, Adéla was sitting in a high school classroom wondering what to do next. Today, she's in a laboratory performing titrations and verifying probiotic bacteria counts in dietary supplements. "It felt like euphoria. I felt like I was in a dream when I first saw the results of my own research," describes the student of the Food Quality and Agricultural Product Processing program (QUALIB).
From Doubts to Certainty
"I went to university thinking I wasn't smart enough for it," admits Pavel from the Horse Breeding program. "I just tried the first year and discovered that when you don't slack off, you can handle everything." Today, he easily measures animal parasites and works with equipment that his high school self would have considered science fiction.
Tereza has a similar story, now working with graphic programs and technical cross-sections in Landscape Architecture. "At first it was stressful – less sleep because of AutoCAD and technical drawing. Then things calmed down and I started going out in nature more, noticing what could be improved around me."
When the "Manure School" Surprises
"You're studying at the manure school? That's a bad school," Tereza heard many times. "The reality? It's always about the person's and teacher's approach, anywhere and anytime."
Terezie from the Landscape Protection and Natural Resources Utilization program (LANDAB) adds: "Agriculture isn't just about walking in mud. There's much more to it – plants, animals, water systems, landscape pollution."
Karolína, a student of zootherapy, describes the moment when theory came alive: "During the dissection, it was amazing to see how everything suddenly fit together. What I only knew from books was suddenly real."
Experiences That Change Your Worldview
Studies have also changed students' relationship to everyday life. "I'm now a smart shopper. I don't shop by price, but I examine the story behind the food," says a Food Quality program student.
Another student admits: "I realized that people actually don't know how to behave not only toward each other but also toward animals. They overlook how an animal really feels."
How to Find Out if This Is Your Path Too
For high school graduates who are hesitating whether agrobiology is for them, there's a shortcut – the "Hands on Science" program. In four days, you'll gain more certainty than from months of Googling and reading brochures.
"They can try various experiments and research that they can't encounter in high school," explains a second-year student. "Most high schools don't have the resources to undertake such things."
A third-year student, who once participated in the program himself, adds: "You can verify whether it's worth pursuing your studies and if you would enjoy such a thing at all. You get in touch with people who can motivate you and guide you on your life path."
What If You Think You're Not Smart Enough for Science?
Students have a clear answer: "You won't know until you try." "If you enjoy it, you can learn everything." "Everything is possible, you just need to be interested and willing to learn."
And perhaps the most important advice? "When you make a group of great people who support each other, it's ideal," concludes Pavel. "That I'm now an engineer, I owe mainly to the fact that we didn't let ourselves drown alone."
Find Out More:
- "Hands on Science" program (register now): https://universityin.eu/hands-on-science/
- Study information: http://universityin.eu/
- Lectures for schools: https://agroden.cz/edu/
