A steady flow of international students, either in small groups or by themselves, enters the Blauwe Zaal, where they are welcomed and receive some general information. There are optimistic students in shorts and T-shirts, and those that wear pants and jackets. The backpack of the Pakistani Danyal Haider (21) reveals an umbrella. The Electrical Engineering undergraduate student wants to be safe rather than sorry considering the unpredictable Dutch weather. It’s his first time visiting the Netherlands and he’s here ‘because the region is popular for its knowledge of electronics.’ He mentions Brainport and Philips. Asking him who or what he’ll be missing most, he’s quite clear: ‘My mom’.

A little further on, Alain Torres Lunshof (25) is engrossed in the info binder he just received. He only landed yesterday night, but the Netherlands are no uncharted territory for the Computer Software Science undergrad. When he was only ten, he came here to visit some of his Dutch relatives. He’s excited, although it may take a while for him to adjust to new customs and the language.

This week, the TU/e Introduction Program (TIP) is aimed at informing international students about practical matters. The students have to register with the municipality, and learn how to open a bank account. The Students Service Center (STU) organizes workshops entitled Culture and Communication and How to Manage Your Study Success, for example.

All international students are welcome at international student association Cosmos, which organizes activities every night. There will be a party at which newcomers can show each other typical things from their home country, a quiz night, and visits to several study associations, for example.

During the second week (August 19-23) the international students will join in with the regular Intro. At some departments – Industrial Design, for example – they’re mixed with Dutch students, but others decided to have separate groups of international students; at Mechanical Engineering the internationals will be offered a slightly different program.

This year, almost three hundred international students have enrolled for the TU/e Introduction Program. Last year that number was 240. Students from China and India have been well-represented at TU/e for years. In recent years however, due to the economic crises in their home countries, more and more students from southern Europe find their way to TU/e as well. Countries that work closely with TU/e such as Brazil and Mexico usually have large student delegations, too, according to STU.