Today was a day full of contrast from cutting-edge technology to Cold War secrecy and centuries-old ghost stories. We started our morning with a visit to Eaton, one of the largest global energy companies, with a strong presence in the Czech Republic. The plant we visited focuses on energy management and efficient power systems, especially for smart infrastructure and electrical safety. We toured a few of their labs, where engineers are currently working on circuit protection, energy storage solutions, and advanced automation systems. What I found especially interesting was their research on optimizing energy flow in large-scale buildings and making smart energy systems more sustainable and responsive. It’s exciting to see global innovation happening right here in the Czech Republic.
Our next stop took us deep underground literally to the Cold War Museum beneath the Jalta Hotel. This former nuclear bunker was built to serve as a secret hideout for officials in case of a Soviet-era attack. Our tour guide was incredibly engaging and brought the entire history to life. We explored rooms filled with Cold War relics and were even shown the spying station, where officials would secretly listen in on conversations of individuals they suspected to be threats to the government. It was both chilling and fascinating to get a glimpse of how surveillance and secrecy played such a major role during that era.
To wrap up the evening, we joined a ghost tour through Prague’s historic city center. Prague is often called one of the most haunted cities in the world, and after tonight, I can understand why. Our guide shared eerie legends dating back to the 13th century, and even mentioned multiple cases where people claimed to have actually seen ghosts. It was wild to learn that many Czech locals genuinely believe in these spirits.
Swanson School of Engineering 