Dutch and foreign students alike recommend getting a bike as soon as possible. Dutch PhD candidate, Marcel Dijkstra (Transducers Science and Technology) advises, `Buy a good bike.' But his foreign counterparts disagree. S. Saravanan, an Indian PhD candidate also in TST, replies, `It's not wise to buy a new bike; it's easily stolen.' Still another TST colleague, Duy Nguyen, a naturalized Dutchman, adds further nuance to the debate when he explains, `There are two sorts of bicycle thieves: the ones who steal new, expensive bikes to resell, and the ones who “borrow” any old bike and then throw it away.' Perhaps it is Fei Liu, a Chinese PhD candidate in Design Analysis for Communication Systems, who proffers the most useful bike-related advice: `Get a good lock for your bike.' One last tip from Muzaffar Igamberdiev, a master's student in Telematics from Uzbekistan: `Buy a rain suit for when you're on the bike.'
Both Saravanan and Igamberdiev suggest living on the UT campus upon arrival. Says Saravanan, `It's better to be on campus at first. International students need a stable base. They need to get some friends, to get to know the system.' Later, they advocate living off-campus where housing might be cheaper. Igamberdiev further recommends, `Live together with other people - Dutch or international - to share bills and all sorts of household tasks, like cooking. In this way you meet more people, you have a chance to be more socialized. In the end, this is better for your studies.'
Liu found shopping to be the most consternating task when she arrived at the UT three years ago. Foreign products all labeled in Dutch made shopping an exasperating experience for her. Besides that, she continues, `It's also hard to know where to go. Food Factory is nice and cheap. For basic household items and cleaning stuff, go to Action. Peter Hu is the biggest Asian store in Enschede. The open-air market (Tuesdays and Saturdays in Enschede) is the best place for fresh fruits, vegetables and fish. Shops close early at 6 pm; the big supermarkets are open until 8 or 9 pm. All stores are closed on Sunday.'
What about learning Dutch? Nguyen scoffs, `Don't worry too much. Language-wise, everybody knows English.' However, most people recommend at least a cursory course in Dutch for practical reasons. Signals and Stress PhD candidate, Qian Tao of China, stresses, `Learn at least a little bit of Dutch. It's not as difficult as you might think. You may receive letters in Dutch.' Raajaa Vishnu, an Indian PhD candidate in Signals and Systems, suggests, `Pick up Dutch basics and polite phrases like, “Asjeblieft” or “Dankjewel”.' Still another justification for spending valuable research time learning a language seldom spoken beyond the borders of the Netherlands comes from Dutch master's student in Embedded Systems, Bart van der Wal: `Everyone speaks English, but in a group of Dutch people, the conversation quickly goes back to Dutch. It's nice to know some words. Even if you don't speak it well, it's useful to be able to follow along in a conversation.'
Many UTers recommend getting involved in extra-curricular activities. Ram Krishna, an Indian PhD student in Applied Mathematics, advises, `Meet as many people as possible. Go to SMIT parties.' `Join a student club because it's easy to meet people there, especially Dutch students. Too often, international students stick together,' remarks Ewout Muis, a Dutch master's student in Optical Techniques. Vishnu further urges, `Meet other international students and talk to them. Don't just stay with your own international group. Get to know other people and their cultures, tell them about your country, too.'
Most of all, `Take time to enjoy your stay,' insists Sandrine Villette, a French post-doc in Biophysical Engineering. Xueyu Zhang, a Chinese master's student in Telecommunications, enthusiastically seconds that recommendation: `Make new friends. Don't be shy. Be open. Learn to say “hi” to neighbors. Go to parties. Lead a colorful life.' She is quick to add, `But, don't forget the reason you came here: to study!'
Welcome.
Saravanan (left) and Igamberdiev: …Live on campus upon arrival…
Xueyu Zhang: …Make new friends…
