Column

But my only response has been . ‘It’s my job. I would be failing my duty if I didn’t bring pertinent issues into full view and force people to think about them.’ Most times I just get a chuckle daubed in sarcasm. Sigh. Then again, this is the side of the international student that gets easily misinterpreted.

When I got accepted into TU Delft’s International Master’s Microelectronics program, I was elated. Even though the TU isn’t known in the part of India where I come from, I opted for it over other premier institutes. Two years hence and I have no regrets whatsoever about having made that choice. Many of us wear the brand of TU Delft with such a sense of pride. We have no reservations in acknowledging the TU as an excellent platform for us to grow technically. It was also where I met many of my present colleagues, and I hope to be in touch with them for a long time to come. Almost every international student bears similar sentiments of gratitude and belonging towards the TU. We seem to appreciate the TU even more after graduation. It’s not uncommon for get together events to be arranged between the present MSc Microelectronics students and the alumni. The TU’s international grapevine has spread itself far and wide . across companies and countries. We derive a wealth of information from the pooling of each other’s insight.

Besides the role played by the TU in shaping our professional careers, there is also no denying the cultural influence it has had on each of us – so much so that when we travel to our native countries, we come pretty close to experiencing a culture shock all over again. My friend and classmate, Deng Wei, summed it up best: “Going home to China has now giving me mixed feelings. It’s a bit strange. While we don’t really blend into the culture prevalent in the Netherlands, at some point, we feel more at ease here.” When I move my residence now, I realize that the place I start to miss is in fact where I last stayed in the Netherlands . first Delft, then Eindhoven. It’s then I realize that I haven’t lost a home in India. On the contrary, I have found another in the Netherlands.

Given the manner in which we international students strongly associate ourselves with the TU, it’s unfair to view our opinions like that of a heckler. When we raise our voice, know that it is with the best of intentions. We too are well-wishers of the TU, and would only like to see it improve. While there is a tendency on the part of the TU to treat our feedback like the nagging of a mother-in-law, we are the best kaleidoscopes for helping steer the TU. So pay heed to us.”

Ramesh Chidambaram is from India. He is an MSc micro-electronics student at TU Delft.

“Imagine getting to crib for a modest fee. Whatever did TU Delft do to get you to hate it so much? Perhaps someone more mature than I would avoid replying to such jibes I have received in response to my columns. But my only response has been . ‘It’s my job. I would be failing my duty if I didn’t bring pertinent issues into full view and force people to think about them.’ Most times I just get a chuckle daubed in sarcasm. Sigh. Then again, this is the side of the international student that gets easily misinterpreted.

When I got accepted into TU Delft’s International Master’s Microelectronics program, I was elated. Even though the TU isn’t known in the part of India where I come from, I opted for it over other premier institutes. Two years hence and I have no regrets whatsoever about having made that choice. Many of us wear the brand of TU Delft with such a sense of pride. We have no reservations in acknowledging the TU as an excellent platform for us to grow technically. It was also where I met many of my present colleagues, and I hope to be in touch with them for a long time to come. Almost every international student bears similar sentiments of gratitude and belonging towards the TU. We seem to appreciate the TU even more after graduation. It’s not uncommon for get together events to be arranged between the present MSc Microelectronics students and the alumni. The TU’s international grapevine has spread itself far and wide . across companies and countries. We derive a wealth of information from the pooling of each other’s insight.

Besides the role played by the TU in shaping our professional careers, there is also no denying the cultural influence it has had on each of us – so much so that when we travel to our native countries, we come pretty close to experiencing a culture shock all over again. My friend and classmate, Deng Wei, summed it up best: “Going home to China has now giving me mixed feelings. It’s a bit strange. While we don’t really blend into the culture prevalent in the Netherlands, at some point, we feel more at ease here.” When I move my residence now, I realize that the place I start to miss is in fact where I last stayed in the Netherlands . first Delft, then Eindhoven. It’s then I realize that I haven’t lost a home in India. On the contrary, I have found another in the Netherlands.

Given the manner in which we international students strongly associate ourselves with the TU, it’s unfair to view our opinions like that of a heckler. When we raise our voice, know that it is with the best of intentions. We too are well-wishers of the TU, and would only like to see it improve. While there is a tendency on the part of the TU to treat our feedback like the nagging of a mother-in-law, we are the best kaleidoscopes for helping steer the TU. So pay heed to us.”

Ramesh Chidambaram is from India. He is an MSc micro-electronics student at TU Delft.