Is life in Holland a change for you? Each month Page-4 asks a member of the TU’s foreign legion to share their thoughts with us. This week we meet Laura Rovetto (25), from Cordoba, Argentina.
She is a PhD exchange-student from Universidad Nacional del Sur, studying chemical engineering.
Argentina’s has big economic problems. In the streets, everybody’s talking about money, or rather, their lack of it. In Holland, it’s like the only problem people have is deciding where to go on holiday. I do miss Argentinean food, especially beef. Europe has crazy cows, so I don’t eat your meat.
What do you like about TU Delft?
Everything here is so well organized, well-funded and functions smoothly. And Dutch coffee breaks are an interesting phenomenon. In Argentina, you stop for coffee when you feel like it. Here, morning coffee breaks are a social obligation, but a pleasant obligation.
Is chemical engineering a difficult field for women to succeed in?
It’s a male-dominated field, but there’re more women in this faculty than other engineering faculties. Argentina has a macho-culture, so men are more powerful and get the top jobs. Women mostly work in laboratories, not in the factories, but that’s okay with me, because I prefer doing research.
What social or cultural differences have you noticed between Argentina and Holland?
The structure of daily Dutch life is different. At 5:30, shops close and Dutch families are at home together. Family’s important in Argentina too, but our long working days mean we don’t see our families as much. Dutch families spend more time together. I know this because there are no shutters on windows here, which is strange, but interesting. It’s fun to walk around and look in windows. You see people walking around in their socks, eating dinner, watching TV.
Where’s your favorite place in Delft
I like the whole city. Its little houses make me feel like I’m living in a fairy tale. If I’m having a bad day, walking through Delft cheers me up. I also like the leaning Oude Kerk. Its clock glowing at night is a great sight.
Which famous person would you like to meet?
It’s too late now, but I’d have liked to meet Mother Theresa of Calcutta. Her appearance fascinated me; she looked like the kindest old granny. But Brad Pitt wouldn’t be bad either.
What’s mankind’s greatest challenge in the 21st century?
We must cure deadly diseases, like HIV, cancer, malaria, which kill millions of people, especially in poor countries. Why are we spending billions of dollars to fly around in outer space? We’ve been to the moon, now it’s time cure diseases and end human misery.
Which personal qualities are most important to you?
Honesty. If people are honest, it starts a chain reaction and other virtues automatically follow. In my grandfather’s time, a person’s word was his or her honor. Today, sadly, that’s no longer the case
What causes you the most anxiety?
Argentina’s in bad shape economically. It’s moving toward anarchy. People no longer have hope. We’re in a hole and sinking fast. What will happen if we hit rock bottom? Argentineans are reactionary people. When we’re pushed too far, we explode. I fear for Argentina’s future.
Each month Page-4 asks a member of the TU’s foreign legion to share their thoughts with us. This week we meet Laura Rovetto (25), from Cordoba, Argentina. She is a PhD exchange-student from Universidad Nacional del Sur, studying chemical engineering.
Argentina’s has big economic problems. In the streets, everybody’s talking about money, or rather, their lack of it. In Holland, it’s like the only problem people have is deciding where to go on holiday. I do miss Argentinean food, especially beef. Europe has crazy cows, so I don’t eat your meat.
What do you like about TU Delft?
Everything here is so well organized, well-funded and functions smoothly. And Dutch coffee breaks are an interesting phenomenon. In Argentina, you stop for coffee when you feel like it. Here, morning coffee breaks are a social obligation, but a pleasant obligation.
Is chemical engineering a difficult field for women to succeed in?
It’s a male-dominated field, but there’re more women in this faculty than other engineering faculties. Argentina has a macho-culture, so men are more powerful and get the top jobs. Women mostly work in laboratories, not in the factories, but that’s okay with me, because I prefer doing research.
What social or cultural differences have you noticed between Argentina and Holland?
The structure of daily Dutch life is different. At 5:30, shops close and Dutch families are at home together. Family’s important in Argentina too, but our long working days mean we don’t see our families as much. Dutch families spend more time together. I know this because there are no shutters on windows here, which is strange, but interesting. It’s fun to walk around and look in windows. You see people walking around in their socks, eating dinner, watching TV.
Where’s your favorite place in Delft
I like the whole city. Its little houses make me feel like I’m living in a fairy tale. If I’m having a bad day, walking through Delft cheers me up. I also like the leaning Oude Kerk. Its clock glowing at night is a great sight.
Which famous person would you like to meet?
It’s too late now, but I’d have liked to meet Mother Theresa of Calcutta. Her appearance fascinated me; she looked like the kindest old granny. But Brad Pitt wouldn’t be bad either.
What’s mankind’s greatest challenge in the 21st century?
We must cure deadly diseases, like HIV, cancer, malaria, which kill millions of people, especially in poor countries. Why are we spending billions of dollars to fly around in outer space? We’ve been to the moon, now it’s time cure diseases and end human misery.
Which personal qualities are most important to you?
Honesty. If people are honest, it starts a chain reaction and other virtues automatically follow. In my grandfather’s time, a person’s word was his or her honor. Today, sadly, that’s no longer the case
What causes you the most anxiety?
Argentina’s in bad shape economically. It’s moving toward anarchy. People no longer have hope. We’re in a hole and sinking fast. What will happen if we hit rock bottom? Argentineans are reactionary people. When we’re pushed too far, we explode. I fear for Argentina’s future.
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