What's it like working at COWI? My four-month secondment experience

Thanks to my PhD project- INFRASTAR so that I could have the chance to spend four months in COWI Lyngby, Denmark, for my secondment from Octorber 2018 to January 2019. COWI A/S, as an international consulting group, specialising in engineering, environmental science and economics, it attracts me a lot what's it like working here? I have been working in China, Norway and Germany, it also fascinates me to explore another different working culture in Denmark. After I finished my four-month stay, now I am very excited to share my fresh experience.

The aim of this secondment is to perform case studies in the environment of the consulting company COWI under supervision of my industry supervisor Dr. Isaac Farreras Alcover. Isaac has derived a data-based models for assessment and life prediction of monitored civil infrastructure assets on the great belt bridge during his PhD, I continued his work to quantify the conditional value of several options for monitoring campaigns to determine the optimal monitoring option. We are writing a conference paper on it, it is scheduled to submit to IWSHM2019, keep stunned :)

First day arrival to COWI

Meeting with my industry supervisor Dr. Isaac Farreras Alcover.

COWI is really a considerate company, from all the details that I experienced, it gives me an impression that they care every single employee, even though I am just a short-term visiting researcher. I was surprised by the Danish flag on my desk when I stepped into office at my birthday morning. I was also surprised by the Christmas gift prepared from the company with hand writing card from the manager. What else is more pleasing than feeling being acknowledged and valued?

Danish flag on my desk for my birthday

Christmas gift with handwritten card from manager

Moreover I enjoy so much the the working condition, you just feel good and convenient to work here. I particular like the design of open office, which makes it easier for discussion and cooperation. There is free coffee and tea anytime, fresh fruit everyday. Every Friday morning, we even have common breakfast in the group of division. As a guest, I also got free lunch, which makes me even happier.

Open office

Coffee room

All kinds of tea

Meanwhile, there are so many entertaining events all year round, like beer /wine tasting events, Friday night bar on first Friday of each month. I am very lucky to attend the biggest event-annual Christmas party. Everyone is well dressed up. Some departments even have a dress code. The office was rearranged and well decorated and we had department Christmas dinner first in the office, followed by the quiz. Then everyone will head up to the main hall for show and party until midnight.

Quiz during Christmas dinner

Quiz award

Christmas party

I want to mention that the dancing area you saw on the picture actually is a multinational place. Most of time it is where we had lunch, but it also can be a meeting point for announcement as well as a dancing pool for example. I really like this design :)

Main hall

Four months passed away so fast, thanks to all the colleagues from Bridges International division 1751 in COWI Lyngby and all the good people that I met in Copenhagen, it is all your kindness and support that enrich my life experience and leave me such a sweet memory while I am in |Denmark 💗