Read an exlusive interview with one of our alumni!

Our alumna, Radana Šimůnková, a member of the ČEZ, a.s. development department unit responsible for preparation and implementation of nuclear projects, has agreed to share her thoughts and experiences from her time at KINGS and more.

Did you know KINGS before applying for their exchange program?

"I attended KINGS during the summer semester of 2023. I actually did not know KINGS in the sense that I never looked it up myself. However, I’ve had references from other students - from Jan Hruškovič, one of my classmates, who studied his master’s degree at KINGS, and from students who came to present about KINGS when I was attending the ČEZ Summer School in 2022 in Dukovany NPP. At that time, I had just finished my bachelor’s degree and was preparing for my master’s at BUT. The KINGS alumni told me what to expect from the studies and also from the school’s surroundings - where to eat, how to use the public transport, etc. I think it’s important to know both; I mean, you’re flying to a different country, and knowing these things calms you down."

What made you decide to go to KINGS, and what were the classes like?

"At BUT I studied Electroenergetics. During my studies, I attended lectures on nuclear science and became interested in it. In the end, I just wanted to decide which area of nuclear studies is right for me and to gain a better understanding of the topic. KINGS really deepened my know-how in the field, and the classes were much different from those offered at BUT."

Apart from the specialized classes and internships, what else did KINGS have to offer?

"KINGS offered classes focused on the Korean language and culture, which I really enjoyed. We had taekwondo classes, lectures on traditional Korean clothing and music, and workshops where you could, for example, make your own fan or stamp. In a short time, I learned to read and write Korean and got to know the culture firsthand. Other than that, KINGS offered trips (eg, to Jeju) and had various campus activities available, such as tennis and basketball courts, a soccer field, a gym, a library, and even a karaoke room. I had not really experienced karaoke before, but it was so much fun to meet up with peers from all around the world who shared the same interest and de-stress together this way. I actually did not attend any internships, as they were available only to full-time students. Still, I had a chance to visit the construction sites, the site for operators, the storage of spent nuclear fuel and turbines, and, most interestingly, the training center for operators."


How did studying at KINGS contribute to your education / professional life?

"There are two aspects to this, one is a more personal - I proved to myself that I can study in a foreign country and talk about these topics in a language other than Czech. It also helped me in my professional life - at KINGS, I specialized in radiation protection and decommissioning, so after I came back, I attended the SÚRAO Summer School 2023. My time at KINGS really motivated me to attend and gave me a solid background in this topic."

Would you recommend KINGS to your peers?

"Most definitely. You can meet people from all around the world and learn a lot! I think it might be good to know something about the Korean language and culture before going, but if you don’t, you can learn it there. I only had good experiences with the locals. They were patient and willing to help. And it is important that you have this mindset too."

If you had a chance, would you return to KINGS? 

"Yes, I would. I really enjoyed my time there, and it was a great opportunity. However, I never thought about applying as a full-time student. When I returned, I was almost at the end of my master’s degree and wanted to head to work."

How do you feel as a woman in STEM?

"I am very happy that during my studies, I felt we were all equal on campus. I did not feel any discrimination; on the contrary, I felt strong support for women in technical fields. BUT even had various campaigns to support women, such as “Girls Belong in Tech”, and there was also the Women in Nuclear organization.
I never encountered any hardships caused by gender in the workplace, either. In my final thesis, I focused on SMRs, and upon graduation, I found a job opening at ČEZ, a.s. I was hired, and now I work in the development department, in a unit responsible for preparation and implementation. I am very happy with our team. There’s a lot of friendliness, mutual help, and a wide range of knowledge we can share. And even though there are more men, there is also a large ratio of women in our department."

And what about Women in Nuclear? You are an official member of the organization. How would you describe it? Who is WiN for?

"During my time at the ČEZ Summer School, the organization presented itself and its members. In the end, it was possible to apply to become a member, so I have been part of it for more than five years. WiN are enthusiasts of nuclear science, which has a wide scope (from radiomedicine to NPP operators). The members can be power plant employees, high school teachers, or even women who have not come into contact with nuclear at all, but are interested in the industry. The organization is preparing meetings for both official members and the public, aiming to cover various topics. For example, we held a public webinar on breast cancer prevention or the construction of new nuclear blocks in the Dukovany NPP. It's really a broad spectrum."

And for today’s last question, what do you think is the best way or strategy to promote the nuclear industry to young girls / women in the Czech Republic? Do you maybe have a good personal experience you would like to share?

"I do. I was in my last year of high school when we had a visit from former students who came to tell us about their university experiences and what they’re studying. We could ask a lot, and I think it’s always positive to hear people’s experiences and have someone to ask for assistance. I also really liked BUT’s program focused on high school students and girls, which continues even now (Ženy, které inspirují, Letní škola biomedicíny,  Projektové dny pro školy). Apart from that, I would recommend visiting the Open Day Events or events like Gaudeamus (a university fair)."

Published: August 2026