Introduction day: off to a great start

| Redactie

Gathering in the Atrium of the Bastille on February 3, fifty international students participated in the first winter Introduction Day offered by the International Office in cooperation with the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) and the Introduction Committee. Machteld Prins from the Visa Office best summed up the reason for the event: `Can you imagine coming to study with only your suitcase in hand, and nobody to organize things for you?'

International exchange student Lau Yin Mei from Hong Kong (left) and Pien Broenink of the Admission office discussed the process for registration last

International exchange student Lau Yin Mei from Hong Kong (left) and Pien Broenink of the Admission office discussed the process for registration last Sunday at the Information Market.

Prins was only one of the many representatives availabe to help new students last Sunday afternoon. One of her main objectives is to assist students with Visa requirements and arrange for the registration of a residence permit, which is one of the many formal documents required for international students according to Dutch immigration law.

International students arriving from Poland, Turkey, Portugal, Germany - to name only a few of the countries represented - enjoyed a traditional Dutch lunch of bread with an assortment of cheese, ham, jelly and chocolate paste . Later, the students were split into six groups, and each group was paired with a mentor. Two groups toured the campus, while another two groups gained practical information, and the remaining two groups participated in a presentation about Dutch culture. Every international student took part in all three activities throughout the day.

The outlook for International students at the UT is far better than in previous years with these new initiatives that offer to ease the transition to a new culture for arriving students. Inge van Haare, coordinator of the International Office says, `This is the first time that we have offered this orientation in February.'

According to van Haare, apart from the already existing International Handbook (A practical guide upon arriving), yet another new initiative will be a `pre-departure' handbook slated to be released in September of 2008. The new handbook will address practical issues to help international students prepare for their study abroad program before they actually arrive at the UT.

In April of last year, a formal exchange agreement between the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the University of Twente was signed by UT executive chairman Anne Flierman. The first two students of this unique initiative to arrive at the UT from Hong Kong, were present at the Introduction Day.

Lau Yin Mei plans to study Computer Science for the next five months. Her immediate concerns for the time being were quite simple when she said, `I really want an internet connection so that I can contact my family in Hong Kong.' These practical matters are often resolved at the Introduction Day and allow international students to concentrate solely on their studies.

Feeny Smeenk, public relations coordinator for the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) said,`We are here today to support the international community at the UT. Just last Friday, we had a party at the Aesterion (the private pub of AEGEE-Enschede) to say goodbye to international students who were leaving and to welcome the new students.'

Smeenk along with a group of volunteer mentors, gave a city tour of Enschede last Saturday evening as part of the orientation week. International students and mentors dined together at the downtown restaurant `Candela,' and then they went to a local gymnasium to play games. Smeek says, `This immediate initial contact helps students to meet other international students who have already lived here for awhile.'

Two of the mentors from the Turkish Student Association (TUSAT), Selim Ciruci and Emre Dilemen, willingly spent their weekend with the students to help them adjust to a new life. One of the central aims of TUSAT is to:`integrate and advance the intellectual, social and cultural interaction between Turkish students, as well as Dutch, and all international students' that are studying at the UT.

In addition to campus organizations, just outside of the Bastille building, twenty secondhand bicycles were on sale to students and could be purchased at a reasonable price of 75 Euros. Bike shop owner Ronnie Hoefman of Rowi Bikes, who provided the service said that some students choose to purchase a bike on the Introduction Day, and others think they will not need one. He laughs, `In one week when they realize that you need a bike in Holland, they usually come by my shop and purchase one.'

Helpful weblinks and contact information for International students

International Offices: http://intoffice.utwente.nl/

Erasmus Student Network: www.ESNTwente.nl

Visa Office: email address, [email protected] or contact Machteld Prins: 053-4894300

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