In this week’s Q&A, the English Page meets two Erasmus exchange students from Belgium who recently completed a year of studies at TU Delft.
Christoph Pfyffer (23), an aerospace engineering student, and Celine Doumont (21), who studies mechanical and chemical engineering, are both BSc students at Belgium’s Universite Catholique de Louvain (UCL).
Why did you choose to study at TU Delft?
Christoph: “When I had to choose from a list of universities, I immediately went for TU Delft because of the good reputation of its Aerospace Engineering Faculty. I’ve always wanted to work in this field, and this was a great opportunity to help me achieve my goal in future.”
Celine: “Among all the countries in Europe, I chose Delft because, as a native French speaker, I’d have the opportunity to improve two languages: English and Dutch, which is a very important second language in Belgium. A Belgian who studied here also told me there was a nice atmosphere at TU Delft.”
Are there any notable differences between the TU and your home university, in terms of research or the general workings of the universities?
Christoph: “The first thing I noticed here was how huge the campus is compared to mine in Belgium. The way courses are taught in Delft also differs from what I’m used to. At TU Delft, courses are much more focused on current technologies and more applied to real research in industry. At my Belgian university, course work is more theoretical and less industry-related.”
Celine: “The size of the university for sure. There are so many students here in Delft compared to my home university. I was also very impressed by the size of the TU Delft library!”
If there were one thing about the TU you could change, what would it be?
Christoph: “Course assignments. In some courses you’re given lots of assignments each week on subjects you haven’t yet had lessons on. Sure, this does stimulate students to research the subject, but it also costs you lots of precious time.”
Celine: “I think everything’s perfect here, but I do think the price of books is too high. In Belgium, every teacher writes his or her own syllabus, which is then sold to students at much less expensive prices.”
At TU Delft, do you feel that you are studying at an international university?
Christoph: “Yes, TU Delft definitely has an international feel. And thanks to the fact that courses are taught in English, there are lots of foreign students doing their entire studies here. During my stay in Delft I had the opportunity to get to know people from all over the world, which was a very enriching experience.”
Celine: “I agree, there were so many international parties where I met students from other countries. We shared opinions and spoke about our own countries and our differences. It was wonderful. Without this international aspect, I don’t think I would’ve appreciated TU Delft so much.”
Was it challenging to study in such a male-dominated environment?
Celine: “As in every technological university, there are unfortunately not many female students. It’s a very male-dominated environment and somehow I regret that.”
Why did you decide to make your career in science and technology?
Christoph: “Since my childhood, I’ve always been fascinated by technology. Knowing how things work, and how the world we live in is driven by the laws of physics, was a major factor for eventually pursuing a technological study.”
Celine: “I’ve also always liked science and technology. During my school years I especially loved chemistry, with its unique way of helping me understand things.”
If you weren’t studying to be engineers, what professions would you like to have?
Christoph: “A commercial airline pilot. It’s the job with the most beautiful office in the world! Being paid to see those beautiful sunsets and amazing cloud formations would be fantastic.”
Celine: “A professional sportswoman. I like sports, especially the triathlon. Sports are a great way to experience new sensations and discover your physical and mental limits.”
What do you think about the Dutch and their culture?
Christoph: “The Dutch are very helpful, open-minded and friendly. Dutch culture is similar to the Belgian one, but one thing that’s very different between our countries and which I disliked here is the habit of eating dinner so early, at 5 p.m.!”
Celine: “The Dutch are very open and welcoming and I agree the culture isn’t that different from Belgium, except for the food. We Belgians would never drink a glass of milk with meat and potatoes!”
Do you have any favourite places in Delft, like a cafe, building or public space?
Christoph: “I really enjoyed the ‘polders’ and the ‘Delftse Hout’. Those are great recreation places when the weather is fine.”
Celine: “I like many cafes, like De Ruif, where we met every Wednesday night with other international students, and Locus Publicus, a very friendly bar in Delft center.”
What will you miss most when you return to your home country?
Christoph: “I will miss travelling to the faculty by bike every day. It was so nice to be able to ride my bike wherever I had to go.”
Celine: “I will really miss meeting other international students every day, and also living independently in a flat.”
What is your favourite Dutch food or drink?
Christoph: “The ‘poffertjes’ are delicious and everyone coming to Holland should try them at least once.”
Celine: “I loved the ‘vla’, which is a very good but fattening Dutch specialty!”
What Dutch food or drink do you dislike?
Christoph: “‘Sate sauce’ is simply disgusting. I wouldn’t recommend it to any one. And if only the Dutch wouldn’t serve this sauce with so many dishes!”
Celine: “I totally agree, ‘kip sate’ is really gross!”
Do you have any tips for newcomers to Delft?
Christoph: “‘Koninginendag’ was amazing, my best experience in the Netherlands, partying day and night with friends in Den Haag and Amsterdam. The atmosphere was incredible!”
Celine: “Don’t miss the weekly international student parties at De Ruif, where you can meet a lots of people and make new friends. I also loved the TU Sports Centre – don’t miss the great spinning classes there led by Remco!”
Christoph Pfyffer and Celine Doumont (Photo: C. Pfyffer)
Why did you choose to study at TU Delft?
Christoph: “When I had to choose from a list of universities, I immediately went for TU Delft because of the good reputation of its Aerospace Engineering Faculty. I’ve always wanted to work in this field, and this was a great opportunity to help me achieve my goal in future.”
Celine: “Among all the countries in Europe, I chose Delft because, as a native French speaker, I’d have the opportunity to improve two languages: English and Dutch, which is a very important second language in Belgium. A Belgian who studied here also told me there was a nice atmosphere at TU Delft.”
Are there any notable differences between the TU and your home university, in terms of research or the general workings of the universities?
Christoph: “The first thing I noticed here was how huge the campus is compared to mine in Belgium. The way courses are taught in Delft also differs from what I’m used to. At TU Delft, courses are much more focused on current technologies and more applied to real research in industry. At my Belgian university, course work is more theoretical and less industry-related.”
Celine: “The size of the university for sure. There are so many students here in Delft compared to my home university. I was also very impressed by the size of the TU Delft library!”
If there were one thing about the TU you could change, what would it be?
Christoph: “Course assignments. In some courses you’re given lots of assignments each week on subjects you haven’t yet had lessons on. Sure, this does stimulate students to research the subject, but it also costs you lots of precious time.”
Celine: “I think everything’s perfect here, but I do think the price of books is too high. In Belgium, every teacher writes his or her own syllabus, which is then sold to students at much less expensive prices.”
At TU Delft, do you feel that you are studying at an international university?
Christoph: “Yes, TU Delft definitely has an international feel. And thanks to the fact that courses are taught in English, there are lots of foreign students doing their entire studies here. During my stay in Delft I had the opportunity to get to know people from all over the world, which was a very enriching experience.”
Celine: “I agree, there were so many international parties where I met students from other countries. We shared opinions and spoke about our own countries and our differences. It was wonderful. Without this international aspect, I don’t think I would’ve appreciated TU Delft so much.”
Was it challenging to study in such a male-dominated environment?
Celine: “As in every technological university, there are unfortunately not many female students. It’s a very male-dominated environment and somehow I regret that.”
Why did you decide to make your career in science and technology?
Christoph: “Since my childhood, I’ve always been fascinated by technology. Knowing how things work, and how the world we live in is driven by the laws of physics, was a major factor for eventually pursuing a technological study.”
Celine: “I’ve also always liked science and technology. During my school years I especially loved chemistry, with its unique way of helping me understand things.”
If you weren’t studying to be engineers, what professions would you like to have?
Christoph: “A commercial airline pilot. It’s the job with the most beautiful office in the world! Being paid to see those beautiful sunsets and amazing cloud formations would be fantastic.”
Celine: “A professional sportswoman. I like sports, especially the triathlon. Sports are a great way to experience new sensations and discover your physical and mental limits.”
What do you think about the Dutch and their culture?
Christoph: “The Dutch are very helpful, open-minded and friendly. Dutch culture is similar to the Belgian one, but one thing that’s very different between our countries and which I disliked here is the habit of eating dinner so early, at 5 p.m.!”
Celine: “The Dutch are very open and welcoming and I agree the culture isn’t that different from Belgium, except for the food. We Belgians would never drink a glass of milk with meat and potatoes!”
Do you have any favourite places in Delft, like a cafe, building or public space?
Christoph: “I really enjoyed the ‘polders’ and the ‘Delftse Hout’. Those are great recreation places when the weather is fine.”
Celine: “I like many cafes, like De Ruif, where we met every Wednesday night with other international students, and Locus Publicus, a very friendly bar in Delft center.”
What will you miss most when you return to your home country?
Christoph: “I will miss travelling to the faculty by bike every day. It was so nice to be able to ride my bike wherever I had to go.”
Celine: “I will really miss meeting other international students every day, and also living independently in a flat.”
What is your favourite Dutch food or drink?
Christoph: “The ‘poffertjes’ are delicious and everyone coming to Holland should try them at least once.”
Celine: “I loved the ‘vla’, which is a very good but fattening Dutch specialty!”
What Dutch food or drink do you dislike?
Christoph: “‘Sate sauce’ is simply disgusting. I wouldn’t recommend it to any one. And if only the Dutch wouldn’t serve this sauce with so many dishes!”
Celine: “I totally agree, ‘kip sate’ is really gross!”
Do you have any tips for newcomers to Delft?
Christoph: “‘Koninginendag’ was amazing, my best experience in the Netherlands, partying day and night with friends in Den Haag and Amsterdam. The atmosphere was incredible!”
Celine: “Don’t miss the weekly international student parties at De Ruif, where you can meet a lots of people and make new friends. I also loved the TU Sports Centre – don’t miss the great spinning classes there led by Remco!”
Christoph Pfyffer and Celine Doumont (Photo: C. Pfyffer)
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