'In Jordan you don't plan that much nor use an agenda to make
appointments with your friends. You just call them and go there if he or she has time. And in case you make an appointment with somebody in Jordan: don't come on time. Your Jordanese friend will be about 15 minutes later as well.'
Jawad applied at five universities in the US and Europe, was admitted at all of them, but chose for Twente. He found the courses in curriculum quite attractive and they covered a lot of topics. His interest in electrotechnics already showed at young age. 'My father wanted me to study medecine, but already as a small boy I liked to destroy things like radios and cassette players,' says Jawad, and laughs. 'And I did try to repair them afterwards, but of course with no good results.'
He is visibly happy with his choice for Twente. 'The facilities are very good and the people really nice. We are with seven students in the programme, but everybody gets a lot of personal attention from the professors. I really appreciate that, it costs them a lot of time.'
Jawad is a Palestine, and indeed wears the trademark of his people: the typical black and white shawl. His parents are from East-Jerusalem but they had to move to Jordan before he was born and they are not allowed to go back. So, Jawad certainly follows the recent violent events in Israel closely. 'I just hope that the people here know what is behind the events. Most media do not show everything, so people don't get the complete picture.'
Jawad turns serious and a little sad talking about the situation in Israel. 'A friend of mine who also studied at Jordan University in Amman returned to his house on the West Bank and was killed when I was just in Holland. But I also have an Israeli friend, I judge people as individuals. Sometimes I think of everything there until deep in the night, all the thoughts racing through my mind. It's sometimes like my head almost explodes.'
Used to planning or not, the future is clear to Jawad. 'The people in the occupied areas, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, have very little chance to develop themselves. There is hardly an education system for Palestinians there. Eventually I want to return and help to develop the people with the knowledge I get here.' But that willtake a little while, no matter Dutch or Jordan time.
Jawad Shalan
