Tupe is doing his PhD in the Chemical Technology in Industrial Polymerization Process group and Dhobale is completing an international master's degree in biological sciences at Utrecht. On his research Tupe explains, `The understanding of polymerization and its reaction kinetics are crucial for industrial applications. My project specifically aims at analyzing tubular reactor processes for the non-isothermal polymerization of liquid propylene using catalysts and we are the first ones to do these kind of experiments on close to industrial scale and conditions.'
On work ambiance, `It is great to be here in Netherlands, it has a fabulous work culture, objective research, clear plans and good knowledge-sharing among the faculties. All of this makes it a wonderful place to work,' claims Tupe. He recalls the friendliness of his Dutch colleagues when he was ill and had to be admitted to hospital. He was new to the Netherlands, and almost every day someone from the group visited him to see about his condition.
Did they met here in the Netherlands or arrange their marriage in India? Tupe smiles and comes up with sweet memories, `We knew each other thorough friends in India, and remained friends for four years. Then I came here to the UT for a PhD. One day in my first year I called her in India to propose and said if she wanted, she could have more time to decide on it, but that I would call back in one hour. Things worked out well and we are having a nice time here.'
Communication is the most important issue for couples living far apart. `These days there is no problem as I am about to finish and I am working on my final report from Enschede. Initially, in my first year of study I had to travel four hours every day, it was quite a hectic journey. Later, for about nine months during my major project, I stayed close to Utrecht and then calling came as the best option - we used to call each other more than seven times a day,' confirms Dhobale. `I used to get a wake-up call from Utrecht,' adds Tupe.
So what is their social life like in such circumstances? `Not bad, you focus on the work for the whole week and appreciate the weekends more. Despite having little time for each other, we figure out ways to socialize - we invite friends for dinner or go to their place, watch movies, play some board games. We have lots of Indian friends at the UT, so celebrating birthdays and Indian festivals with them is extremely entertaining. These small cultural things are the ones which you miss most while staying abroad, with so many Indians around, it always felt like home,' answer Tupe and Dhobale.
If they had to do this all over again, would they? Tupe, ever the gentleman, replies firmly, `No, next time I would like to be the person who travels.'
