As an international student if you are puzzled by the Dutch bureaucracy, by your residence permit, by the UT's working culture or even if you are feeling homesick, help is never far away at the International Office.
The International Office is a body of the UT which provides services meeting the needs of international students, aiming to help them to fulfill their personal and academic objectives. It provides information on a wide range of topics, including work permits, travel visas, personal finance, social and cultural differences, and personal concerns. One of the main objectives of the International Office is to advise foreign students applying to the UT and to determine their eligibility according to the University criteria. In addition, it helps Dutch students planning to study abroad, by bridging the gap between the students and international universities as well as helping them find scholarships and funding.
Ms. Therese ter Heide, secretary at the International Office explains, `There is much more to the International Office than just coordinating between the international students and the UT. Organizing different social activities, collaboration and exchange of students with different Dutch and international universities, arrangement of scholarships by the Dutch government and European Union are some of the other tasks performed by the International office. Apart from this, we also provide preparatory or supplementary Dutch language courses for the international master's and PhD students, which can be useful in acclimating to the Dutch culture. We can also provide financial support if needed and even help in finding a doctor or therapist for students.'
The International Office also provides information about immigration laws as well as orientation information about the Netherlands. Information about part-time work regulations and permit requirements for the same can be obtained from the International Office. It also alerts international students about excursions, for example the upcoming DIS - Day of the International Student in The Hague. To bring the international communities within the UT together, the IO promotes multicultural gatherings like the International Food Festival, where one can bring food, play music or perform a dance from one's own country. It is an annual event, scheduled this year for Tuesday, October 11 in the Bastille. `A very different kind of task performed by us last year was when the tsunami struck southeast Asia; we helped students from the affected areas in establishing contact with their families,' Ms. Therese recalls.
Apart from helping students, the IO also counsels the UT administration on policies for international students and on the advertisement of the UT as a brand name for its global competitiveness. For more friendly and informal discussions with students, it also supports organizations like ISAB, International Students Advisory Board, which is a group of UT master's and PhD students. In spring 2004, SMIT and the International Office decided there was a need for a fresh open forum where students could discuss their concerns and give valuable input to improve the situation of international students at the UT. ISAB acts as a mediator between international students and the UT to raise the issues of interest to international students; it consequently makes suggestions as to changing or improving them.
If you have issues, ideas or suggestions, or if you want to join ISAB, contact the International Office via its website http://intoffice.utwente.nl/en/ or stop by the office in the Bastille.
Students sample the fare at last year's International Festival sponsored annually by the International Office
