If you’re a researcher or PhD candidate at TU Delft, the spotlight is now on you. Over the past few months the Central International Office has been busy working on plans to help international staff members feel more at home.
In January, they launched Come 2 TU Delft, a by-invite-only social networking community. In September, they also rolled out a whole host of acculturation activities, from Let’s Dine Together to Meet the Dutch.
“Every year around 400 new PhD candidates join TU Delft. Add to that the researchers and international staff and the numbers are huge,” says Marlies Poelmann, communications manager of the CIO. While MSc students start courses at the same time, researchers join at different points in time. This makes it difficult for the university to arrange orientation packages like the Introduction Programme.
“We put together an international student team to get a better understanding of the problems PhD students face and how we can help them. We found that there is a clear need for more community activities and a forum for them to interact and feel a part of the university,” adds Poelmann. Come 2 TU Delft was the first step towards catering to that need. Approximately 800 invites were sent out in the first wave earlier in the year, and everyone enrolled since receives an invite as soon as the paperwork is complete. The community currently has 499 members.
Designed along the lines of Delft Tulip, it works as an announcement board and a social networking site. You can add ‘friends’, chat with people who are online, and receive updates on relevant news and events. The site also has space for blogs and pages on practical information for expats in and around campus.
“We are happy to provide them with whatever information they need. We plan to keep developing other projects and this is a forum where they can share what their needs are,” says Poelmann. The community also hosts a live chat session on Thursdays from 3pm to 4pm but are looking for a more convenient time slot. They also plan to introduce themes or expert speakers and encourage more of a discussion.
Let’s Dine Together is another event on the roster. “The idea is for a new PhD candidate to have an informal dinner with a candidate who has already experienced the system. They can share tips and help them settle in,” she adds. Through the community, people can also sign up for the Survival Tour. Meet The Dutch is an acculturation workshop hosted by the CIO aimed at introducing internationals to Dutch culture and quirks.
Though its early days yet, the candidates are definitely keen on the ideas. Fanny Cornette, who is currently doing her research at OTB, has been a member of Come 2 TU since the beginning. “It’s a really useful forum, especially when it comes to interaction with other researchers. I once had a question that was instantly answered online within the community,” says Cornett. If you’re wondering why you’re not a member yet, check your inbox. Your invitation is probably still pending.
Comments are closed.