Campus

[Meet the fraternity] Surinamese Association

Moving abroad as a student is no easy feat: adapting to a different culture, while keeping on top of your studies. But ‘no spang’! To all Surinamese students and those that love the tropical nation – SUBEST Delft is here for you!

Civil Engineering student Marco Wangsawirana (left) and Architecture student Charbel Saleh make up part of the board of Surinamese student association SUBEST Delft. (Photo: Sam Rentmeester)

  • Name: SUBEST Delft
  • Associated country: Suriname
  • Established in: 2017
  • Number of members: 110


What does SUBEST stand for?

Marco Wangsawirana (22), chairman: “Surinamese Béta Students. ‘Béta’, in Dutch, is used to refer to exact sciences.”


Why were you established?

Charbel Saleh (23), commissioner of education: “First we were only a group of students that held information sessions about TU Delft in Suriname. We wanted to create a platform for Surinamese students and help them as much as possible, so we decided to become an association.”


Who can become a member?

Charbel: “Everyone is welcome. Especially students that have an affinity with Suriname.”


Suriname and the Netherlands have a close relationship and most Surinamese people speak Dutch. Do you get the same benefits as Dutch students?

Charbel: “We are seen as international and Dutch. We pay the tuition fee for European students, but we cannot travel for free on public transportation and can only work for 10 hours per week.” 


What do you offer students?

Marco: “We help students with any problems they might encounter when they first arrive here. On top of this we hold educational and social events.” 



What kind of difficulties do Surinamese students run into when moving to the Netherlands?

Charbel: “The biggest problem is the culture shock. There are a lot of rules here and everything is planned. Also, when you come here you instantly have to be independent.”


Marco: “In Suriname you live with your parents for as long as possible. Renting a place there is quite expensive as a student. Also, most parents would find it strange if you move out at a young age: ‘why move one block further if you can also live with me?’”


What typical Surinamese events do you organise?

Marco: “We plan to organise cultural events in the near future. On the 25th of November, for example, we celebrate ‘Srefidensi’ – Independence Day – and plan to hold a party with lots of Surinamese food!” 



A much-heard phrase in Surinamese is ‘no spang’, what does this mean?

Charbel: “No spang means no worries!”

Marco: “Don’t stress, no spang, whatever situation you are in: it will be alright. It summarizes our relaxed culture.”


Elise Mooijman


  • In this series we will be meeting TU Delft’s student fraternities. These fraternities are called gezelligheidsverenigingen in Dutch, which translates as social clubs, but in fact they’re far more than that. If youd like to suggest a fraternity for us to cover, please email us at delta@tudelft.nl.

Editor Redactie

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