Education

‘The best party is one you don’t plan!’

Valentina Echeverri Ocampo, 24, is a Junior Process Designer in TU Delft’s Delft Chemtech department. She is from Colombia and a recent graduate of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia.

Why did you choose TU Delft?

“My process of deciding to come here started when I began looking for interesting opportunities abroad. Some Colombian teachers gave me a very good reference about TU Delft and I found a very interesting program here: Process & Equipment Design.”

Have you enjoyed your experience at TU Delft so far?

“I’ve been here for two months and really enjoy the international environment at TU Delft. I also like the very practical approach the university takes in its courses and, perhaps most importantly, there is an excellent interaction between the university and Dutch industry.”

Have you noticed any major differences between Colombian and Dutch society?

“One big difference is that Dutch people plan everything. Colombian people for example do not usually plan their free time every weekend . one of our favourite expressions is: ‘The best party is the one you don’t plan’. I found it very strange when one of my Dutch friends told me that he had an “appointment” with his parents!”

Has anything at TU Delft surprised or shocked you?

“I was surprised to hear that education in Holland is not as expensive as in Colombia. Unlike Dutch students, Colombian students face tremendous competition to get into the state universities or alternatively must pay very high tuition fees at private universities.”

What Dutch habits have been difficult to get used to?

“Eating is very important for Colombians. Obviously, that’s not the case in Holland. Lunch is the most special meal for Colombians; this is when we interact with friends or family, taking our time to relax and talk. In Colombia, two-hour lunches are normal. So, here in Delft, it was difficult for me when all my colleagues finished their lunch in half an hour and rushed back to the office!”

If you weren’t a chemical engineer, what would you have liked to have been?

“A painter. Since childhood, I’ve always drawn and get immense satisfaction from painting nature. Drawing is a way to talk with nature and interact with its bountiful beauty. My interest in arts remains, but now only as an aficionado.”

What qualities do you most admire in other people?

“Understanding, caring for and genuinely respecting the feelings of others.”

What qualities does your ideal man have?

“My ‘Mr. Perfect’ will make me feel very special and shower me with his love. He should be an interesting person, intelligent, honest and someone I can talk to for hours.”

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

“I’m fascinated by the high mountains of Colombia, the big blue sky and green everywhere. I’d love to live in a big farmhouse in a beautiful mountain valley, where I could ride horses and enjoy nature.”

What natural or supernatural gift would you most like to have?

“I wish I could stop time, so that I could do my work quickly and have more time to spend on pure enjoyment!”

What or who is the most important influence on your life?

“My family. They give me all the support I need. I really think we all need other people to help us realize what we are doing and what we want to do.”

What would you change about society if you could?

“I would end all violence! It’s very difficult to accept that in this world there exist people who are able to hurt others so much.”

Why did you choose TU Delft?

“My process of deciding to come here started when I began looking for interesting opportunities abroad. Some Colombian teachers gave me a very good reference about TU Delft and I found a very interesting program here: Process & Equipment Design.”

Have you enjoyed your experience at TU Delft so far?

“I’ve been here for two months and really enjoy the international environment at TU Delft. I also like the very practical approach the university takes in its courses and, perhaps most importantly, there is an excellent interaction between the university and Dutch industry.”

Have you noticed any major differences between Colombian and Dutch society?

“One big difference is that Dutch people plan everything. Colombian people for example do not usually plan their free time every weekend . one of our favourite expressions is: ‘The best party is the one you don’t plan’. I found it very strange when one of my Dutch friends told me that he had an “appointment” with his parents!”

Has anything at TU Delft surprised or shocked you?

“I was surprised to hear that education in Holland is not as expensive as in Colombia. Unlike Dutch students, Colombian students face tremendous competition to get into the state universities or alternatively must pay very high tuition fees at private universities.”

What Dutch habits have been difficult to get used to?

“Eating is very important for Colombians. Obviously, that’s not the case in Holland. Lunch is the most special meal for Colombians; this is when we interact with friends or family, taking our time to relax and talk. In Colombia, two-hour lunches are normal. So, here in Delft, it was difficult for me when all my colleagues finished their lunch in half an hour and rushed back to the office!”

If you weren’t a chemical engineer, what would you have liked to have been?

“A painter. Since childhood, I’ve always drawn and get immense satisfaction from painting nature. Drawing is a way to talk with nature and interact with its bountiful beauty. My interest in arts remains, but now only as an aficionado.”

What qualities do you most admire in other people?

“Understanding, caring for and genuinely respecting the feelings of others.”

What qualities does your ideal man have?

“My ‘Mr. Perfect’ will make me feel very special and shower me with his love. He should be an interesting person, intelligent, honest and someone I can talk to for hours.”

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

“I’m fascinated by the high mountains of Colombia, the big blue sky and green everywhere. I’d love to live in a big farmhouse in a beautiful mountain valley, where I could ride horses and enjoy nature.”

What natural or supernatural gift would you most like to have?

“I wish I could stop time, so that I could do my work quickly and have more time to spend on pure enjoyment!”

What or who is the most important influence on your life?

“My family. They give me all the support I need. I really think we all need other people to help us realize what we are doing and what we want to do.”

What would you change about society if you could?

“I would end all violence! It’s very difficult to accept that in this world there exist people who are able to hurt others so much.”

Editor Redactie

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