Ruud van Damme, associate professor Mathematical Sciences:
'The year 2002 was a turbulent year, I think, for all employees of Mathematics: from the beginning of the year our computer system hardly functioned because persistent hacking by someone, and of course the big fire from a month ago left us without most of our things, still no telephone, and a moderately sized working space (but thanks to our collegues of EWI we have at least something!) in the computer science building.'
Jan van Ommen, associate professor Chemical Technology:
'Watching a sleeping turtle under water on the reef in Marsa Alam, Egypt and having the sun around 24 hours a day at North Cape, Norway.'
Tijana Zivkovic, PhD-student Chemical Technology:
'My wedding and coming to the UT.'
Yanchun Huo, master's student Telematics:
Four months ago, I arrived in the Netherlands. In the past months, I've mostly been adapting to my new environment and to living away far away from home. That was quite a change. My bike even got stolen in one of my first days here...'
Irwan Endrayanto, PhD-student Mathematical Sciences:
'This year has been a little quieter than the previous one, although the fire has forced me to redo some work. On a positive note, my wife is expecting a baby so next year should be an exciting one. We might even move to a bigger house.'
Ivan Kurtev, PhD-student Computer Science:
'There is little that springs to mind about the past year, I've mostly been hard at work. I did make a few nice trips to Spain, France and Switzerland. Next year, I intend to see a little more of this country. There are still lots of places that I want to visit.'
Maciej Zwierzycki, post-doc Applied Physics:
'I went to Japan and Italy. Two things came out of this experience: I couldn't stand the Japanese sea food and the Adriatic sea is salty. Since I prolonged my stay here I learned roller-skating and continued learning Dutch.'
Sheela Bobby, PhD-student Electrical Engineering:
'I experienced a lot of things for the first time in my life in 2002: the chillness of the winter weather in the Netherlands and a train robbery.'
Becky Zimmerman, post-doc Chemical Technology:
'I got my doctoral degree from Texas and consequently, I am here in the Netherlands doing my post-doctoral work.'
Alia Vaz, master's student Educational Science and Technology:
'God has given me the opportunity to do my Master's in the Netherlands with partial funding. He has even given me the opportunity to travel home to Jamaica for the Christmas holidays!'
Louise Vrelink, technician Chemical Technology:
'I got the chance to visit Verona, Italy and attend three operas there. It was a dream come true for me.'
Raquel Rios Font, Erasmus student Chemical Technology:
'I met my boyfriend this summer. Moreover, I came to the Netherlands as an Erasmus student and above all, I am nearly finished with my bachelor's degree.'
Kiran Thumma, PhD-student Applied Physics:
'My coming to the Netherlands was a sequel to my wedding this year. I could not have asked for more.'
Tamalika Banerjee, post-doc Electrical Engineering:
'I got the oppurtunity to work in the field that I had always dreamt of. Moreover, I was successfully able to surmount many obstacles that came my way this year.'
Frederic Mertins, PhD-student Chemical Technology:
'My friend had a baby boy this year. Also, my sister is expecting her baby next year. I am happy for both of them.'
Robert Ukropec, post-doc Chemical Technology:
'Being a fishing enthusiast, I got the biggest catch of my life - a fish weighing 30 pounds. I really felt great.'
With contributions from Vijay Iyer, Jeroen Latour, Jelena Radovanovic, and Andreea Merticaru
