In the heart of Switzerland, where technology and culture meet, the RAW Workshop hosted by EESTEC LC Zurich offered participants an unforgettable experience over four days, both academically and culturally. LC Zurich transformed Zurich into not only an educational hub but also a space for fun and discovery. Participants didn’t just dive deep into advanced topics like artificial intelligence but also connected with people from different cultures, built new friendships, and created lasting memories. This event, both educational and entertaining, truly provided a one-of-a-kind experience. Here’s a breakdown of every day during this unique weekend at LC Zurich…
On one of Zurich’s most beautiful Saturdays, the RAW Workshop kicked off early in the morning. As participants stepped into the event space, they were also stepping into the warm atmosphere of the EESTEC LC Zurich family. As participants got acquainted with various activities, the organizing team greeted them with surprises. The first session began with an introduction to artificial intelligence and transformers and LLMs. Participants had the opportunity not only to gain theoretical knowledge but also to develop software on their own. After a delicious dinner, everyone stepped into the party venue for the RAWrrr Party dressed in cat costumes, adding energy and excitement to the night with challenges and fun activities.
The following day focused on more advanced AI topics, with participants learning about attention mechanisms, masking and encoder-decoder structures in an intense academic session. After this deep dive into AI, it was time to unwind with a chill Pijama Party. Participants, in their pijamas, had a blast singing karaoke and engaging in fun conversations and games, making this night a sweet memory for everyone.
After an amazing weekend, participants started the new week in Zurich. The day began with preparations for the RAW AI Hackathon. Participants had the chance to apply AI and transformer technologies to real projects. Everything they had learned was turned into a competition, sparking new ideas. In groups, participants created amazing projects for the NLP challenge. Everyone enjoyed this event, where learning and fun were perfectly blended. In the afternoon, preparations began for International Night. Participants cooked delicious dishes to introduce the culinary culture of their countries. As everyone got lost in the tastes and cultures from different countries, they also danced to the rhythm of EESTEC culture. Learning how to say “cheers” in different languages and introducing their own culture made this night an unforgettable experience for all.
After a long International Night, participants woke up to a chill Tuesday. They had the opportunity to explore ETH’s magnificent campus, getting to know the university up close. In the afternoon, the legendary AI is Dead – Long Live AI TRAM Party took place! Boarding the Zurich tram, participants embarked on a journey where technology and fun met, with LED glasses and synth music creating an electrifying atmosphere. The tram transformed from just a mode of transportation into a nightclub on wheels. Everyone, dressed in cyberpunk style, added their own color to the night. The rhythm, lights, and energy overwhelmed the participants, and everyone had a moving, joyful, and fun time.
Wednesday was perhaps the day that participants had been waiting for the most – City Rally day. The City Rally was a fantastic opportunity to explore Zurich once more. The participants were divided into two teams, and each team explored the city’s most interesting places while completing challenging tasks. With each step, new craziness and new friendships were formed. The city tour gave participants not only the chance to explore Zurich’s beauty but also the opportunity to discover the bond they had with each other. Afterward, everyone gathered one last time to say their goodbyes at the AI Farewell Party. The night was filled with dancing and laughter, marking the end of an incredible journey.
RAW Workshop not only offered participants unforgettable experiences in academic terms but also provided cultural and social adventures. Meeting people from many different countries, making new friendships, and having fun while learning truly made this event unique. Technology, culture, entertainment, and friendship all came together in perfect harmony during these four days at Zurich. This event, where both fun and learning reached their peak, will continue to spark great excitement for next year!
