Natalia Maria Kowalczyk is a Bachelor student at MCI NanoSyd, University of Southern Denmark in Sønderborg
Where are you studying, and what degree are you pursuing?
I’m pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southern Denmark in Sønderborg.
What motivated you to study physics or engineering?
One of the biggest motivations that led me to study engineering was, quite unexpectedly, my own struggles with certain concepts and problems. Instead of feeling discouraged, I became eager to push through them, driven by a deep curiosity to understand how things work. Every difficult equation or complex idea felt like a puzzle waiting to be solved, and the satisfaction of finally grasping a concept made the effort worthwhile. Over time, this mindset shaped my approach to learning – turning frustration into motivation.
That same drive continues to fuel me every day. What keeps me motivated to study engineering isn’t just the chance to expand my theoretical knowledge, but also the opportunity to challenge myself through hands-on projects. At the start of my university journey, particularly during my first-semester project course, I quickly realized how much I lacked in practical skills. My high school years were mostly spent studying from books, with occasional side projects, but they never reached the depth and complexity of the ones I have tackled here. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I found it incredibly motivating – it pushed me to develop new skills and experience the real impact of what I was learning.
What has been your favorite course or topic in physics so far?
It’s difficult to pick just one because I’ve genuinely enjoyed every physics-related course. I love solving complex problems, and physics in particular constantly challenges me to think in new ways. That said, I’ve particularly enjoyed thermodynamics because of its fundamental role in mechanical engineering, especially in aerospace applications like propulsion and thermal control systems.
Tell us about a cool project you have worked on or are currently working on.
During my studies, I’ve been involved in a variety of projects, from semester assignments to extracurricular activities like the Als Rocketry Club (ARC) and the Robotics Club. Among these, ARC has been an especially exciting and rewarding experience – both as a fun challenge and as a way to bring theory to life through hands-on work. Being part of the Airframe team gave me the opportunity to contribute to projects like designing a CANSAT payload ejection mechanism. Overall, ARC taught me how essential good group dynamics is – undertaking a project of this scale alone would be very difficult, especially as undergraduate students. Working alongside a team of passionate peers made all the difference, turning complex problems into opportunities to learn and grow.
What kind of career do you envision for yourself after your engineering studies?
My curiosity for engineering started as a broad interest but deepened into a passion for aerospace as I immersed myself in the history of aviation – eventually leading me to the incredible world of spaceflight. Over time, this passion turned into a clear goal: to work at the European Space Agency, contributing to the design and construction of launch vehicles or spacecraft. While I haven’t yet settled on a specific area of focus, every aspect of this field excites me. In recent years, I’ve also developed a strong fascination with additive manufacturing and it has completely captivated my imagination and changed the way I think about design. We’re already seeing companies like Relativity Space, Rocket Lab, and so many others exploring 3D-printed rocket components – something that would have seemed almost unbelievable just a decade ago. I think my future career might be a combination of these two.
What does being a physicist or engineer mean to you?
To me, being a physicist or an engineer is about having an endless curiosity for the world and a deep desire to understand how it works. No matter where someone starts or what challenges they face, I truly believe that passion and determination can lead to incredible achievements and meaningful contributions. But it’s never easy – it takes relentless effort and perseverance. Long hours spent on a problem don’t always guarantee success or even correctness. Yet, a physicist keeps going, driven by the challenge, always striving to do their best.
What advice would you give to young people, particularly women and minorities, who are interested in studying physics?
Like many things in life, the best approach is to be bold, take calculated risk, and explore whether it’s a field you can truly see as part of your future. Of course, it’s important to reflect beforehand on whether it genuinely interests you—after all, without passion, spending long hours studying or working on projects can feel more like an unnecessary burden. Last but not least, I believe that everyone should feel welcome to study engineering, with the right qualities and mindset a lot of things are possible to achieve.
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