Zbigniew Srokol, 30, is a PhD student studying Applied Organic Chemistry (TNV). He’s from Poland and received his MSc degree from Cracow University of Technology before coming to Delft.
Why did you choose TU Delft?
“Having finished my Master’s degree in Poland, I was looking for a job or PhD opportunity in Europe. I’d been to the Netherlands before, so I knew TU Delft was a good university.”
What one thing would you change about the TU?
“The freedom students have here to do what they want is a bit too much. I believe that students should be able to think freely and choose what they want, but sometimes I wish I had a bit more influence on what they do. Sometimes the system seems too lenient.”
At TU Delft, do you feel as if you’re working at an international university?
“Here it’s a mixture of a Dutch university and an international university, which is good. University life here is very open and you meet people from so many countries, which adds to the international feeling.”
How might TU Delft raise its standing in the international ranking of universities?
“Increase cooperation with other universities and make exchanges between universities for shorter or longer periods easier for students and staff. I think there are lots of opportunities for more cooperation with universities in Eastern Europe.”
Are there any notable differences between the TU and your home university?
“The biggest difference between Cracow University and TU Delft is the resources. There’s much more money for research here than in Poland. On the social side, the Dutch people are very open-minded and free thinking.”
What made you decide to make your career in science/technology?
“I wanted to become a chemist ever since I was a kid. When I had my first chemistry lesson in elementary school, I fell in love. I felt a strange feeling inside me and knew I’d found what I wanted to do . become a chemist.”
If you weren’t a scientist, what profession would you like to have?
“Either a taxi driver, because I love driving my car, or a lumberjack in the mountainous forests of southern Poland. I think I could also be a good dentist, but I’m too lazy to read that many books!”
What feature of Dutch society do you like the most?
“The Dutch people are very tolerant. They give you the simple truth when you talk to them. They believe what they see and tend not to make things more complicated than they have to be.”
And what feature do you like least?
“The way Dutch girls treat guys. There must be mutual respect in a relationship. It’s not a matter of cooking or cleaning but of respect for each other. Dutch girls seem to want individuality more than they want a relationship.”
Who would you like to meet and why?
“Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle of the band Roxette, because they make me feel better every time I listen to them. When I was a teenager, I was crazy about their music and Roxette’s album ‘Joyride’ was the first CD I ever bought.”
If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
“Somewhere in the Netherlands. I love the sea, want to live close to it, so I can go sailing. I like Amsterdam and Rotterdam a lot, they’re happening places. Zandvoort or Scheveningen would be good, too.”
What do you miss most about living your home country?
“Polish food, like żurek bigos and flaczki (soup made from pig intestines). I also miss Polish women, their beauty and the way they behave, dress, wear their makeup, paint nails and respect guys. I really miss it all!”
Where’s your favorite place in Delft?
“I love Delftse Hout, it’s a romantic, peaceful place. I also like Café V and the Bierhouse.”
What qualities or quality do you most admire in other people?
“I want people to be honest, to tell me the truth.”
What quality do you like best in a woman?
“I like intelligent, well-dressed, honest, lovely women.”
What tops your list of ‘Things to do in life’?
“I’d love to sail around the world. That would be a dream come true for me.”
What supernatural gift would you most like to have?
“When I was young, I always wanted to do something that would really amaze other people. I started using computers when I was 17 and have remained very interested in computers and computer technology. Supernatural gift? I’d like to be able to write the perfect computer program.”
How would you like to die?
“I’d like to be old, but I don’t think it’s for me to decide how I want to die, though. The Lord will decide for me.”
Why did you choose TU Delft?
“Having finished my Master’s degree in Poland, I was looking for a job or PhD opportunity in Europe. I’d been to the Netherlands before, so I knew TU Delft was a good university.”
What one thing would you change about the TU?
“The freedom students have here to do what they want is a bit too much. I believe that students should be able to think freely and choose what they want, but sometimes I wish I had a bit more influence on what they do. Sometimes the system seems too lenient.”
At TU Delft, do you feel as if you’re working at an international university?
“Here it’s a mixture of a Dutch university and an international university, which is good. University life here is very open and you meet people from so many countries, which adds to the international feeling.”
How might TU Delft raise its standing in the international ranking of universities?
“Increase cooperation with other universities and make exchanges between universities for shorter or longer periods easier for students and staff. I think there are lots of opportunities for more cooperation with universities in Eastern Europe.”
Are there any notable differences between the TU and your home university?
“The biggest difference between Cracow University and TU Delft is the resources. There’s much more money for research here than in Poland. On the social side, the Dutch people are very open-minded and free thinking.”
What made you decide to make your career in science/technology?
“I wanted to become a chemist ever since I was a kid. When I had my first chemistry lesson in elementary school, I fell in love. I felt a strange feeling inside me and knew I’d found what I wanted to do . become a chemist.”
If you weren’t a scientist, what profession would you like to have?
“Either a taxi driver, because I love driving my car, or a lumberjack in the mountainous forests of southern Poland. I think I could also be a good dentist, but I’m too lazy to read that many books!”
What feature of Dutch society do you like the most?
“The Dutch people are very tolerant. They give you the simple truth when you talk to them. They believe what they see and tend not to make things more complicated than they have to be.”
And what feature do you like least?
“The way Dutch girls treat guys. There must be mutual respect in a relationship. It’s not a matter of cooking or cleaning but of respect for each other. Dutch girls seem to want individuality more than they want a relationship.”
Who would you like to meet and why?
“Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle of the band Roxette, because they make me feel better every time I listen to them. When I was a teenager, I was crazy about their music and Roxette’s album ‘Joyride’ was the first CD I ever bought.”
If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
“Somewhere in the Netherlands. I love the sea, want to live close to it, so I can go sailing. I like Amsterdam and Rotterdam a lot, they’re happening places. Zandvoort or Scheveningen would be good, too.”
What do you miss most about living your home country?
“Polish food, like żurek bigos and flaczki (soup made from pig intestines). I also miss Polish women, their beauty and the way they behave, dress, wear their makeup, paint nails and respect guys. I really miss it all!”
Where’s your favorite place in Delft?
“I love Delftse Hout, it’s a romantic, peaceful place. I also like Café V and the Bierhouse.”
What qualities or quality do you most admire in other people?
“I want people to be honest, to tell me the truth.”
What quality do you like best in a woman?
“I like intelligent, well-dressed, honest, lovely women.”
What tops your list of ‘Things to do in life’?
“I’d love to sail around the world. That would be a dream come true for me.”
What supernatural gift would you most like to have?
“When I was young, I always wanted to do something that would really amaze other people. I started using computers when I was 17 and have remained very interested in computers and computer technology. Supernatural gift? I’d like to be able to write the perfect computer program.”
How would you like to die?
“I’d like to be old, but I don’t think it’s for me to decide how I want to die, though. The Lord will decide for me.”
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