‘It’s amazing how many foreigners study here’

Pewrczynski is currently completing his MSc degree in Space Systems Engineering at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering and has also recently been elected to the Faculty Student Council.

Why did you choose to study at TU Delft?

“Because the Aerospace Engineering program is offered in English, so it was possible. I had studied for one year in the United States, at Florida Tech, but I was very disappointed with the program. I wanted to come back to Europe. Honestly, I just Googled ‘aerospace university Europe’ and went though the search results. TU Delft was the only non-British university in Europe that I found offering such a program.”

Are there any notable differences between the TU and your home university, in terms of research or course curriculums?

“I’ve never studied at university in Poland, so I can’t say much about that. But compared to the United States, Delft has a better balance between practice and theory. At Florida Tech there were too many projects, and from what Polish friends have told me, the courses in Poland are too theoretical. So Delft seems to have a really good balance.”

If there was one thing about the TU you could change, what would it be?

“I would include more students in research – also in the first, second and third years of your study. I know quite a lot of students who are really motivated and eager to do something extra, other than Nuna, Delfi C3, model rockets, or the Superbus. It seems that there are many ‘small’ projects that are too small for MSc work and to invest a PhD in. But I’ve had some good experiences with such small projects.”

At TU Delft, do you feel as if you’re studying at an international university?

“Definitely yes. My faculty is full of foreign students and foreign professors. And now in my MSc in Space Systems Engineering it seems that the ratio of Dutch to foreign students is 50-50. It’s quite amazing.”

How might TU Delft raise its standing in the international rankings of universities?

“In general a lot has been done and it’s still being done. Now comes the difficult part . to wait. I think that the TU is really active internationally, but it takes some time before the rest of the world gets used to seeing the TU Delft logo. But some results can already be seen: last year we were ranked in the top 15 technological universities in the world.”

How did you get elected to Aerospace Engineering’s Faculty Student Council?

“Two weeks prior to the election I got a call from the board members of the previous year. They asked me whether I wanted to run in the election and I said yes. But I don’t know why they called me, and I never asked.”

So what does the Faculty Student Council actually do?

“We’re currently advising the faculty in the re-accreditation of the BSc and MSc programs. Also, the library is being moved to a new building, and new study places are to be placed in its former location. The Faculty Student Council is actively involved in this project, as well as numerous smaller initiatives.”

What feature of Dutch society do you like the most, and like least?

“A very big part of the Dutch society is made up of systems. They seem to have a system for everything, and it’s really great to work in a well-organized and efficient place. So that it definitely Dutch strong point. But at the same time this can hamper your social life – at least as foreigners see it. I just can’t imagine going out at night according to a plan. Going out should be something spontaneous, not something scheduled. For example, a housemate of mine invited her friends for dinner; the dinner went well, a couple bottles of wine were emptied and the atmosphere was cheery. So we then suggested to continue in a club or pub somewhere, but my jaw dropped when the guests said that ‘no, we only came for a dinner’. I miss Polish fantasy at moments like that.”

Do you have a favorite place in Delft?

“I really like the ‘Oule’, which is a cafe at St. Jansbrug that is open to everyone on Fridays. A bit of a shabby atmosphere, lots of people and low student prices. I also loved the former Apollo theatre, which was the best movie theatre I have ever been to.”

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

“Anyplace where I can do lots of snowboarding and not too far from civilization. I love snowboarding, but I’m a city person. I haven’t found a perfect combination yet. If anyone knows a Brussels-like city near Vancouver-like mountains let me know, that’s where I would like to live.”

What’s the greatest challenge facing mankind in the 21st century?

“Well, since we’ve mostly tamed nature now, this means the greatest challenge will be the same as always: other people. It’s quite disturbing to see that although security and quality of life has dramatically increased in the ‘Western World’ over the past 100 years, our feelings of insecurity and fears have increased. Solving social tensions and easing international disputes are all still to be done. I think there’s too much tension, power struggles and frustration for it all to end nice and peacefully. History can point to similar moments in the past and they always ended up bloody.”

How would you like to die?

“Dramatically, catastrophically, violently…only not in my own bed! My grandfather claims that this a mark of youth and that in time I will start to appreciate the deathbed, and maybe he is right. But for now I would prefer a deadly adventure over a crippling sickness.”

Piotr Pewrczynski. (Photo: Sam Rentmeester/FMAX)

Why did you choose to study at TU Delft?

“Because the Aerospace Engineering program is offered in English, so it was possible. I had studied for one year in the United States, at Florida Tech, but I was very disappointed with the program. I wanted to come back to Europe. Honestly, I just Googled ‘aerospace university Europe’ and went though the search results. TU Delft was the only non-British university in Europe that I found offering such a program.”

Are there any notable differences between the TU and your home university, in terms of research or course curriculums?

“I’ve never studied at university in Poland, so I can’t say much about that. But compared to the United States, Delft has a better balance between practice and theory. At Florida Tech there were too many projects, and from what Polish friends have told me, the courses in Poland are too theoretical. So Delft seems to have a really good balance.”

If there was one thing about the TU you could change, what would it be?

“I would include more students in research – also in the first, second and third years of your study. I know quite a lot of students who are really motivated and eager to do something extra, other than Nuna, Delfi C3, model rockets, or the Superbus. It seems that there are many ‘small’ projects that are too small for MSc work and to invest a PhD in. But I’ve had some good experiences with such small projects.”

At TU Delft, do you feel as if you’re studying at an international university?

“Definitely yes. My faculty is full of foreign students and foreign professors. And now in my MSc in Space Systems Engineering it seems that the ratio of Dutch to foreign students is 50-50. It’s quite amazing.”

How might TU Delft raise its standing in the international rankings of universities?

“In general a lot has been done and it’s still being done. Now comes the difficult part . to wait. I think that the TU is really active internationally, but it takes some time before the rest of the world gets used to seeing the TU Delft logo. But some results can already be seen: last year we were ranked in the top 15 technological universities in the world.”

How did you get elected to Aerospace Engineering’s Faculty Student Council?

“Two weeks prior to the election I got a call from the board members of the previous year. They asked me whether I wanted to run in the election and I said yes. But I don’t know why they called me, and I never asked.”

So what does the Faculty Student Council actually do?

“We’re currently advising the faculty in the re-accreditation of the BSc and MSc programs. Also, the library is being moved to a new building, and new study places are to be placed in its former location. The Faculty Student Council is actively involved in this project, as well as numerous smaller initiatives.”

What feature of Dutch society do you like the most, and like least?

“A very big part of the Dutch society is made up of systems. They seem to have a system for everything, and it’s really great to work in a well-organized and efficient place. So that it definitely Dutch strong point. But at the same time this can hamper your social life – at least as foreigners see it. I just can’t imagine going out at night according to a plan. Going out should be something spontaneous, not something scheduled. For example, a housemate of mine invited her friends for dinner; the dinner went well, a couple bottles of wine were emptied and the atmosphere was cheery. So we then suggested to continue in a club or pub somewhere, but my jaw dropped when the guests said that ‘no, we only came for a dinner’. I miss Polish fantasy at moments like that.”

Do you have a favorite place in Delft?

“I really like the ‘Oule’, which is a cafe at St. Jansbrug that is open to everyone on Fridays. A bit of a shabby atmosphere, lots of people and low student prices. I also loved the former Apollo theatre, which was the best movie theatre I have ever been to.”

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

“Anyplace where I can do lots of snowboarding and not too far from civilization. I love snowboarding, but I’m a city person. I haven’t found a perfect combination yet. If anyone knows a Brussels-like city near Vancouver-like mountains let me know, that’s where I would like to live.”

What’s the greatest challenge facing mankind in the 21st century?

“Well, since we’ve mostly tamed nature now, this means the greatest challenge will be the same as always: other people. It’s quite disturbing to see that although security and quality of life has dramatically increased in the ‘Western World’ over the past 100 years, our feelings of insecurity and fears have increased. Solving social tensions and easing international disputes are all still to be done. I think there’s too much tension, power struggles and frustration for it all to end nice and peacefully. History can point to similar moments in the past and they always ended up bloody.”

How would you like to die?

“Dramatically, catastrophically, violently…only not in my own bed! My grandfather claims that this a mark of youth and that in time I will start to appreciate the deathbed, and maybe he is right. But for now I would prefer a deadly adventure over a crippling sickness.”

Piotr Pewrczynski. (Photo: Sam Rentmeester/FMAX)